Protect your money: A guide to recognizing and avoiding financial scams

Vallant Bank is committed to keeping your hard-earned money safe. As your trusted local financial partner since 1934, we want to help you recognize and avoid phishing scams and other types of financial fraud. Let’s explore how to protect yourself from various deceptive practices targeting you and other Vallant Bank customers.

Email scams: Red flags for bank customers

• • Unusual email addresses: Be wary of emails that don’t come from our official Vallant Bank domain.
  • Misspelled words: Vallant Bank communications are professionally written. Poor grammar or spelling is a clear sign of an impostor.
  • Scare tactics: Vallant Bank won’t send emails warning of urgent account closure or security breaches. We prefer direct, calm communication.
  • Suspicious URLs: We won’t ask you to log in via email links. Always access your account through our official website (Vallant.Bank) or mobile app.
  • Unexpected attachments: Vallant Bank doesn’t send unsolicited email attachments. These could contain malware.

Text message scams: Stay alert to bank imposters

• • Strange phone numbers: Be cautious of texts from unfamiliar numbers claiming to be Vallant Bank.
  • Urgent warnings: Our text messages won’t create panic or urge immediate action.
  • Requests for personal information: Vallant Bank will never ask for sensitive data, such as account numbers, PINs or passwords, via text.
  • Suspicious links: We rarely send links via text. Always verify by visiting Vallant.Bank or calling us directly. Find our phone numbers under Locations at Vallant.Bank.

Phone call scams: Recognizing genuine bank calls

• • Unusual Caller ID: Be skeptical if the number doesn’t match our official contact information. Find our phone numbers under Locations at Vallant.Bank.
  • Scare tactics or threats: Vallant Bank representatives will never pressure you or threaten negative consequences.
  • Requesting personal information: We do not ask for account details during unexpected calls.
  • Unexpected calls: Be wary of out-of-the-blue calls. We typically only reach out if you initiate contact first.

Payment app scams: Protecting your bank accounts

• • Unexpected requests: Be cautious of strangers asking for money through payment apps linked to your Vallant Bank account.
  • Sending money to yourself: Vallant Bank will never ask you to send money to yourself. It’s 100% a scam.
  • Overpayment claims: Be skeptical of requests to refund alleged overpayments to your Vallant Bank account.
  • Pressure and urgency: Vallant Bank doesn’t create false emergencies. Take your time to verify requests.

Strengthen your defenses with Vallant Bank

• • Enable multi-factor authentication on your Vallant Bank online account.
  • Use strong, unique passwords for all your Vallant Bank accounts.
  • Keep your devices updated and use our latest mobile banking app version.
  • Install and maintain antivirus software on your computer.

If you’ve been scammed

• • Contact Vallant Bank immediately at the number on the back of your card. 
  • Change your Vallant Bank online banking password.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
  • File a police report if you’ve lost money.

If you ever have doubts about a communication you’ve received, please contact your local Vallante Bank branch or call us directly at 877-759-7939. Find our additional phone numbers under Locations at Vallant.Bank.