Fisher National Bank and Federated Bank say fake calls pretending to be the bank seem to be rising, and caller ID can show the real bank name.
Two Central Illinois community banks, Fisher National Bank and Federated Bank, are warning customers about fake phone calls from people pretending to be the bank. Both posted warnings on social media last week. They say these calls seem to be on the rise.
Federated Bank said the calls may look legitimate, even showing the bank's name or phone number. The goal is to trick you into sharing personal or financial information. A familiar name on your screen does not mean the bank is the one calling.
Real bank representatives will not call to ask for certain things. If a caller asks for any of these, treat it as a scam:
Fisher National Bank said it will never be upset if you check that you are really speaking with the bank before going on. If a call does not feel right, trust that feeling. The steps in the alert box above lay out what to do.
The warnings came from banks with branches in towns such as Mahomet, Champaign, Danville, Bradley and Braidwood. Customers of those banks should be most alert. The alert box applies to anyone who gets a call from someone claiming to be their bank.
The reports do not say how many calls came in, who is behind them, or whether anyone lost money.
If a caller says they are your bank, hang up and call back on a number you trust, such as the one on the bank's website or app.
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