National Consumer Protection Week: Know the Scams So You Can Catch Them Before They Catch You

Thursday, February 26, 2026 - Learning Center

Preventing fraud is a team effort between you, your family and your bank. Your best defense against fraud is knowing the scams targeting you so you can catch them before they catch you. During National Consumer Protection Week, learn how to spot, avoid and report scams, so together, we can fight fraud.

Check out our Safety and Security Resource page to learn about safe banking practices, online security and ways to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

Below are some additional resources to help you know the scams so you can be on guard.

Scams to Know So You Are Not Caught Offguard

To catch a scam, you must know the tricks of the trade. Learn about the most common frauds and scams that the FBI encounters. If you are not familiar with how the scams below target you, visit fbi.gov to learn more about them and how to protect yourself.

Advance fee schemes
Business and Investment Fraud
Business Email Compromise
Charity and Disaster Fraud
Identity Theft
Non-Delivery Scams
Online Car Buying Scams
ATM/Debit and Credit Card Scams
Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud
Elder Fraud
Health Care Fraud
Holiday Scams
Money Mules
Romance Scams
Skimming (ATM and card point-of-sale machine scams)
Spoofing and Phishing
Tech Support Scams
Timeshare Fraud

Resources to Protect Against Scams

Knowing where to gain more insight on how to catch and report scams is important. When it comes to the safety and security of your money and identity, reporting fraud promptly is essential. Here are some helpful links.

Security Bank Safety and Security Page

We provide additional resources to help you avoid and report fraud quickly.

Federal Trade Commission

The FTC is the primary federal agency tracking scams and fraud. Find up-to-date alerts, educational guides, and ways to report scams. Some articles of interest:

Consumer Protection
https://consumer.ftc.gov/
Stay alert to new threats and understand your rights.

Small Business Cybersecurity Guidance
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/small-businesses/cybersecurity
As small business owners, understand your cybersecurity risks — including how scams start, ways criminals exploit weak systems, and best practices to protect company data and customer information.

Military Consumer Protection
https://www.militaryconsumer.gov/
As service members, you and your family face unique risks. This Department of Defense-sponsored site provides tailored guidance on avoiding fraud tied to deployments, benefits, and financial transitions.

FBI

The FBI shares the most common frauds and scams they encounter and steps you can take to help avoid becoming a victim of crime and fraud. Resources of note:

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) – FBI Online Crime Reporting
https://www.ic3.gov/Outreach/Resources
Managed by the FBI, IC3 is the central hub for reporting cybercrime. Filing a complaint helps law enforcement track emerging scam trends and may help protect other consumers.

Resources for Recovering from Fraud
https://www.ic3.gov/Outreach/Resources
They offer information on recovering from fraud, including contact information for various organizations.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

CFPB offers resources to help you explore common issues and how to protect yourself.

Know the scams, so you can stay alert and stay safe.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in our articles is intended for educational purposes and general awareness only. It’s not legal, tax, or financial advice. For guidance specific to your situation, we encourage you to visit with your personal banker, tax advisor, attorney, or qualified professional. Any views or opinions expressed in third-party comments, sources, or linked materials are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Security Bank.