Regions Bank is committed to educating their customers and the public about the latest in fraud prevention.
They also want to make sure you know what steps to take if you’ve already been affected by a scam – because recovery matters just as much as prevention.
“No one is immune to fraud – even the smartest people can be deceived in the right moment,” said Kimberly Reece, Financial Crimes Customer Advocacy Manager for Regions Bank.
“What matters most is acting quickly once you realize it’s happened. Every minute counts in protecting your money, your identity and your peace of mind.”
The bank’s team of Fraud Fighters has some simple tips on what to do after you become a victim.
Remember, the more information you can provide, the better chance law enforcement has of solving the crime and stopping the criminals going forward. Write down details immediately, from date of transaction to any email addresses that might have been used.
4 Steps to Take After the Scam
- Secure your finances – Contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Identify the fraud and ask them to help you.
- Freeze your credit – Notify the major credit care bureaus Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) that something may be amiss and you need a free security freeze.
- Change your account passwords immediately – Start with your bank account and credit card login. Then, change your email password because most often your email address will be tied to those finances.
- Report the incident to law enforcement –You may think it will be resolved regardless but reporting it to authorities helps them track the crime, potentially solve things and, most important of all, help the next unsuspecting victim. Consider contacting the following:
Local law enforcement
Help your community by allowing locals to pursue criminals.
Federal Trade Commission
Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or go online to the Online Complaint Assistant.
Internet Crime Complaint Center
This is the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime and is run by the FBI.
Better Business Bureau
Reporting to the BBB Scam Tracker helps the organization alert others about shady enterprises.
Identitytheft.gov
If you think someone is using your identity to open new accounts or grab your tax refund, report it immediately. The federal government will help you create a report and a recovery plan.
Regions Bank wants you to know that you’re not alone if fraud happens, and they’re ready to help you take the right steps right away.
For assistance, please call 1-800-REGIONS (1-800-734-4667) or stop by any Regions branch.
