Recent Increase in Phone Scams
There has been a recent rise in phone scams where fraudsters pretend to be from the River City Bank Fraud Department. These scammers often alter their phone number, so the call appears to come from the Bank’s official line. They frequently claim that there is "suspicious activity" on your account, attempting to create a sense of urgency and pressure you into taking immediate action.
Example of a Scam Call
In one reported instance, a customer received a phone call that appeared to originate from River City Bank’s official number. The caller posed as an employee from the Fraud Department and alleged there was fraudulent activity on the client’s account. The scammer informed the customer that a text message had been sent, containing a link. The customer was then urged to click the link and log into their “Bank Account” to review the fraudulent transactions.
Understanding Credential Harvesting Attacks
This type of scam is called a credential harvesting attack. In such attacks, fraudsters impersonate legitimate entities over the phone to trick victims into providing authentication credentials. Their objective is to gather enough information to access the victim’s bank account, email, or other sensitive systems.
Common Tactics Used by Fraudsters
- Spoofing caller ID to make the call appear as if it’s from the bank or another trusted organization.
- Claiming there is “fraudulent activity” or “suspicious account issues” to create a sense of urgency.
- Requesting sensitive information, including:
- Online banking username or password
- One-time passcodes (OTP) or verification codes
- Debit card number, PIN, or CVV
- Social Security Number
- Asking victims to approve or share a mobile banking alert generated to authorize fraudulent transactions.
- Urging victims to click on a link to sign in and verify fraudulent activity.
Fraud Department Policy
Our Fraud Department will never call or text customers to confirm fraudulent activity and request actions such as those described above. If you receive a call that feels unusual, expresses urgency by requesting sensitive information, or requests you to click on a link in a text message or email, do not share any details or approve any transactions.
Steps to Take If You Receive a Suspicious Call
- Hang up immediately without confirming any information.
- Call the bank directly using a verified contact number. Never call or respond to a number provided in the fraudulent message.
- Report any unusual activity on your account as soon as possible.
Contact Information
As always, River City Bank is here to support you. If you have questions about your personal or financial information, or if you believe you may be a victim of a financial scam, please reach out to our Customer Service Team at (916) 567-2899 or (800) 564-7144, or by email at [email protected].
