Slow Down When Scammers Want You to Act Fast

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to remind you that scammers are constantly looking for new ways to convince people to hand over their money or personal information. They may impersonate your bank, pretend to be a government agency or law enforcement officer, pose as someone you know, or create a sense of urgency designed to make you act before you have time to think.

Keep yourself from acting quickly. These attempts are incredibly common. Nearly three out of four Americans have encountered a scam or fraud attempt,* and Americans lost a reported $68 billion to scams in 2025.**

At BankSouth, we believe one of the best ways to fight fraud is to know the warning signs before a scam reaches you.

Spot these 6 Red Flags and Know How to Respond

Scammers may change their stories and tactics, but many of their schemes rely on the same techniques. They want you to act quickly, provide information you normally wouldn't share, or follow instructions without stopping to verify who you're really communicating with.

Here are six situations that should raise a red flag, and what you can do when you encounter them.

1. You receive an unexpected link and are pressured to click it.
   Your move: Block it. Avoid clicking links in unexpected texts or emails, especially when the message claims there is an urgent problem with your account. Instead, go directly to the company's official website or contact them using a number you trust.
2. Someone unexpectedly calls and tells you to keep the conversation a secret.
   Your move: Hang up. Requests for secrecy can be a sign that someone is trying to prevent you from verifying their story. End the call and independently contact the person or organization the caller claims to represent.
3. An unexpected attachment lands in your inbox.
   Your move: Delete it. Attachments can contain malicious software or lead to attempts to steal your login information. If you weren't expecting a file, verify it with the sender through another trusted method before opening it.
4. Someone asks for sensitive personal or account information.
   Your move: Don't provide it. Be suspicious of unexpected requests for information such as your PIN, password, Social Security number, or account credentials. BankSouth will never contact you unexpectedly and ask for your Online Banking password or a one-time passcode.
5. You're instructed to send money through a payment app.
   Your move: Stop and verify. Scammers may pressure you to transfer money quickly because these payments can be difficult to recover. Confirm who you're dealing with before sending money, particularly when the request is unexpected.
6. A message demands that you click, pay, or respond immediately.
   Your move: Verify first. Urgency is one of a scammer's favorite tools. Instead of reacting to the message, contact the person, business, or organization directly using contact information you already know is legitimate.

Stay One Step Ahead of Scammers

Recognizing a scam doesn't require superpowers. Sometimes your strongest defense is simply slowing down and asking, "Does this make sense?" "Would a legitimate company or bank be asking me to do this?"

If something feels unusual, stop, think, and call to verify the request independently before clicking a link, sharing information, or sending money. Those few extra moments could help protect your personal information, your accounts, and your money.

You can find more ways to recognize common scams and protect yourself in the BankSouth Fraud Center, where you'll find fraud prevention resources, information on the latest scams, and guidance on what to do if you suspect fraud.

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Sign up for BankSouth's monthly Fraud Watch newsletter to stay informed about emerging scams and tactics we're seeing throughout our communities.

The more you know about the tactics scammers use, the better prepared you'll be to Stop. Think. Call. before becoming their next target.

*House Financial Services Committee, Fighting Back Report (2026)
**Gallup and Stop Scams Alliance, Scams in America Report (2026)