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Spot the Scam: International Fraud Awareness Week Prevention Tips
November 17, 2025
Opportunity Bank of Montana is proud to
support International Fraud Awareness Week, a global campaign led by the
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) to raise awareness and promote
anti-fraud education. Fraud affects individuals, families, and businesses, and
staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
Fraud can take many forms, from phishing emails to identity
theft and social engineering. According to the ACFE, organizations lose an
estimated 5% of their annual revenue to fraud. For individuals, the impact can
be deeply personal and financially devastating. By participating in Fraud Week,
Opportunity Bank joins thousands of organizations worldwide in sharing
knowledge and resources to help our community stay safe.
Five Common Types of Fraud to Watch For & How to Help
Stay Safe
Below are five common scams affecting individuals and
businesses today, along with practical tips to help you stay protected:
1. Phishing Scams
What it is: Fraudsters send emails, texts, or social media
messages that appear to be from trusted sources (like your bank or a government
agency) to trick you into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive
information.
How to protect yourself:
Never click on links or download attachments
from unknown senders.
Check the sender’s email address carefully, as
fraudsters often use addresses that look similar to legitimate ones (for
example using a capital “i" instead of a lowercase “L”, a zero instead of
an “o”, or doubling a letter)
When in doubt, contact the organization directly
using a verified phone number or website.
2. Imposter Scams
What it is: Scammers pose as someone you trust, like a bank
employee, law enforcement officer, or even a family member, to convince you to
send money or share personal information.
How to protect yourself:
Be skeptical of urgent requests for money or
information.
Verify the identity of the caller or sender
independently.
Remember: Opportunity Bank will never ask for
your full account number, PIN, or password over the phone or email.
3. Identity Theft
What it is: Identity theft occurs when someone steals your
personal information, like your Social Security number, bank account details,
or driver's license number, and uses it to commit fraud. This can include
opening credit accounts, filing false tax returns, or accessing your bank
accounts without permission.
How to protect yourself:
Secure your personal documents: Keep sensitive
paperwork in a locked drawer or safe, and shred anything with personal
information before discarding.
Use strong passwords: Create unique passwords
for each account and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
Be cautious with public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing
financial accounts or entering personal information on unsecured networks.
Watch for warning signs: Unexpected bills,
denied credit applications, or unfamiliar accounts on your credit report may
indicate identity theft.
Report it immediately: If you suspect identity
theft, contact your bank, credit bureaus, and the Federal Trade Commission at
IdentityTheft.gov.
4. Romance Scams
What it is: Romance scams occur when fraudsters create fake
online identities to build emotional relationships with victims, often through
dating websites, social media, or messaging apps. Once trust is established,
they manipulate victims into sending money, sharing personal information, or
even helping them commit fraud unknowingly.
How to protect yourself:
Be cautious when someone you’ve never met in
person professes strong feelings quickly.
Never send money or share financial information
with someone you haven’t met face-to-face.
Watch for red flags like excuses for not meeting
in person, requests for gift cards or wire transfers, or stories involving
emergencies or travel issues.
Reverse image search profile photos to check if
they’re stolen from someone else.
5. Social Engineering
What it is: Manipulative tactics used to trick people to gain
access to sensitive information or systems over the phone, email, or other
interaction, often by exploiting emotions like fear, urgency, or trust. Unlike
technical hacks, social engineering targets human behavior. Examples are wide
ranging and may include phishing emails, impersonation calls, following someone
into a secure area, or baiting tactics like leaving a USB in a public place,
hoping someone plugs it in out of curiosity.
How to protect yourself:
Slow down and think before responding to
unexpected requests.
Be cautious of unsolicited contact asking for
sensitive information.
Educate yourself and others about common
manipulation tactics.
Avoid oversharing personal details online that
could be used to craft convincing attacks.
General Fraud Prevention Tips:
Never share your PIN or passwords, even with
someone claiming to be from your bank.
Verify before you click: Hover over links in
emails to check the URL.
Monitor your accounts regularly: Use digital
banking to catch unauthorized transactions early or enroll in activity alerts.
Use strong, unique passwords and use
multi-factor authentication (MFA). Even if your credentials are somehow
compromised, MFA adds an extra layer of protection.
Shred sensitive documents before disposing of
them.
Report suspicious activity immediately to your
local branch.
Fraud can happen to anyone — and that’s exactly why talking
about it matters. Scammers don’t care how smart, cautious, or tech-savvy you
are; they rely on emotional manipulation, urgency, and distraction to slip past
your defenses. That’s why slowing down is so important. If something feels off,
trust your instincts. Whether it’s a suspicious email, a strange phone call, or
a deal that seems too good to be true, take a moment to verify before you act.
Protect your personal information, use strong passwords, and enable
multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
But just as important as protecting yourself is helping
others do the same. Talk about fraud with your friends, family, and coworkers.
Share stories, ask questions, and report anything suspicious. Education is one
of the most powerful tools we have — and when we normalize these conversations,
we make it harder for scammers to succeed. Fraud prevention isn’t just a
personal responsibility; it’s a community effort. So, speak up, stay alert, and
don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, does this seem legit to you?” That simple
question could save someone a lot of trouble.
By staying informed and taking simple precautions, you can
help protect yourself and your loved ones from fraud this week, and beyond.
Resources:
Explore official International Fraud Awareness Week
resources from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners to deepen your
understanding and share fraud prevention tips with others:
