Anyone can fall victim to fraud, scams, or unethical business practices. Scammers have one agenda: to obtain and exploit your personal information and defraud you out of your money. 

Star Bank will NEVER reach out to you through phone, text, or email and ask for your password, security code, account or debit card numbers, or any other personal information that could compromise your account. Please don't respond to these requests and contact us directly via the phone numbers listed on our website.

Types of Scams

The types of scams floating around out there are endless. With advancements in technology, different and more sophistocated scams pop up every day. Here are some of the most common scams to be on the lookout for:

Telephone Scams 

Scammers using telephone scams are able to "spoof" a phone number so you think you are talking to the real business or person. This means when they call, the caller ID will show the business or person's legitimate phone number and name. Be careful when answering the phone - it may not be who you think it is, even if the caller ID says so.

Imposter Caller: A call claiming to be from a known business or organization (bank, mobile carrier, credit card company) tells you there is a problem with your account (e.g., suspicious activity, security breach) and will try to get you to give up personal information or pay money right away. Any legitimate company will never call you and ask for confidential information. If you receive a call like this, hang up and call the company from the phone number listed on their website.

Social Security & IRS Scam: A call claiming to be from the Social Security Administration informing you that your Social Security card has been used or is frozen. They will often ask for information. IRS scammers call claiming to be from the IRS and tell you that you owe taxes and you need to pay them immediately. The SSA and IRS will NEVER contact you by phone first and will never pressure you to pay or ask for confidential information.

Grandparent Scam: A call from someone claiming your relative or grandchild has been arrested or is in immediate danger and needs funds immediately. AI technology allows scammers to clone voices to make it seem like your relative is there with them or talking on the phone. If you receive a call like this, hang up and call the police.

Debt Relief: A call claiming to help you reduce your debt burden, but requires a fee in advance. Scammers also call claiming to be your credit card company with an offer to lower your APR, but you need to provide your credit card number first. Never give your credit card number away over the phone unless you have initiated the phone call and it is a verified and trusted business.

P2P Scams

Sending money through apps like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle is convenient, easy to do, and generally secure, but it's also become a great tool for scammers. Below are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to sending money through P2P. 

Read more about payment fraud awareness & prevention.

• Treat P2P like cash. Once you send money through P2P it is very difficult to get it back.
• Never send money to someone you haven't met in person.
• If you were "accidentally" sent money, never send the money back. Instead contact the P2P service about the error.
• Never let someone borrow your phone to a stranger. Scammers could quickly make a financial transfer. 

Online Shopping

• Make sure your mobile device and computer is update: Any time you're able to update your operating system or browser, you should do so to minimize any potential vulnerabilities.
• Is the site secure? If a site is secure, it should start with https://. Depending on the browser, you can also check for a lock symbol next to the URL, indicating it's a secure site. Never enter your information or purchase something from a site that doesn't start with https://

Email Scams

Scammers will send emails that aim to trick you into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. Be wary of emails that create a sense of urgency or offer unbelievable deals. Phishing emails often impersonate legitimate companies and may contain grammatical errors or strange formatting. Don't click on links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never enter personal details unless you're sure of the sender's authenticity. If unsure, contact the company directly through a trusted channel.

Text Scams

A text scam is similar to an email scam but they contact you through your text messages or in a messaging app, like WhatsApp. Common scams involve the offer of something free in order to gain access to your personal information. Also, beware of texts from your bank or credit card company claiming your cards has been compromised or your information needs to be updated. If you receive a message like this, please contact your bank or credit card directly from the phone number on the back of your card and do not respond to these texts.

Gift Card Scams

There are a variety of different gift card scams out there. Keep in mind, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

• If you're buying a gift card, it's best to get them directly from a retail store or your bank. Avoid purchasing a gift card from someone selling them on an auction site or online marketplace, like Facebook.
• If you are asked or required to pay by gift card, this is also a big red flag! Remember, no real company or government agency will ever request gift card payment.

Romance Scams

Online cons create fake online dating profiles to build emotional attachments and trust with victims to exploit and manipulate them out of money.

Online dating red-flags:

• Shower you with compliments, affection, and declare that they love you very quickly.
• Claims to be overseas - on an oil rig, in the military, or otherwise physically unavailable.
• Pleas for financial help due to emergencies.
• Makes excuses for why they can't video call or meet up in person.

What to do:

• Never transfer money or send gifts to someone you haven't met in person.
• Slow down and don't be pressured to rush into things. Talk to someone you trust about what's happening.
• Do your own research. Use reverse image search on photos to see if they're legit.
• Trust your gut. If you feel like something is off, it probably is.
• Never share personal or financial information online.

Take action

Being aware of scams and red flags in the first step in preventing fraud. Here are some additional steps you can take to protect yourself and prevent being scammed:

Keep your information updated

It's important to regularly review and update your contact information so that in the event we see suspicious activity we can quickly contact you.

Review your accounts

Frequently review all your accounts for suspicious or unauthorized transactions, including your bank accounts, investment accounts, and credit bureaus. Immediately report any discrepancies to the institution. 

Enrolling in online banking is a secure and convenient way to check you accounts anytime. Learn more.

Shred documents

Avoid tossing documents or mail with confidential information on them. Instead shred these documents or scribble over the information with a dark permanent marker before discarding.

Use strong passwords

A strong password equals a strong defense against hackers. Here are some tips for a good password:

• Make your password long and complex. Use a combination of letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and special characters. Experts recommend passwords that are longer than 8 characters. 
• Make passwords something only you can remember, but difficult for a hacker to guess. Start with a sentence like, "I love lake life!" and transform it into "eye<3L@k3Life!" Or string a series of random words together: "lampChicken4everboating$"
• Use a different password for every site. If one site gets compromised, they now have access to the rest of your logins that use that same password. 
• Use a password manager. There are a lot of options, many are free. Not only does the password manger securely store all your passwords, it can randomly generate a secure password for you.
• Use multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an extra layer of security that asks for an additional way to verify who you are. 
• Use biometrics, like touch ID or Face ID. This makes it hard to hack into the account. Learn more about Face and Touch ID on the Star Bank MN app.

Block and Unblock your Debit Card

You have the ability to block and unblock your debit card from the Star Bank MN app any time you need to. Learn more.

Blocking your card is not a replacement for reporting your card lost or stolen, or that there have been unauthorized transactions on your account. If your card is lost or stolen, or you notice unauthorized transactions, please call (877) 226-2351 immediately.

Sign up for the Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry makes it easier and more efficient for you to stop spam calls and unwanted marketing calls. Register online or call, 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register. After you register, other types of organizations may still call you, such as charities, political groups, debt collectors and surveys.

What to do if you suspect or spot fraud

Take immediate action! If you suspect you've been caught up in a scam take these following steps immediately. Delaying could cause further harm.

Give us a call

If you think you see fraud or other suspicious activity on you account, please reach out to your local Star Bank office as soon as possible. 

For lost or stolen debit cards, call (877) 226-2351.

Change passwords

Update passwords for all online accounts associated with compromised financial information. Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Consider also changing your password for any related account such as your email.

Place a freeze on your credit reports

Freeze or lift the freeze on your credit report for free by contacting each of the three major credit reporting agencies:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

You can submit your request online, by phone, or by mail. 

File a report with the FTC

You can do this online at https://www.identitytheft.gov/ or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).

File a police report

This will create a record of the crime and may be helpful for insurance purposes or future legal action.

Gather all your evidence

• Collect documentation related to the fraud. This might include copies of fraudulent charges, scam emails, or suspicious phone call logs.
• Save any communication with the scammer. This can be helpful for law enforcement in their investigation.

Continue to closely monitor your accounts

• Continue to monitor your bank statements and credit reports for any further suspicious activity.
• Consider enrolling in credit monitoring services. These services can alert you to any changes in your credit report, which could be a sign of further fraud.

Consider professional help

If you've lost a significant amount of money or your identity has been compromised, consider seeking help from a credit counselor or identity theft specialist. They can guide you through the recovery process and help you restore your financial health.

Additional Resources

Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker

This is a service that helps find and report scams in your area. Learn more.

Annual Credit Report 

Get a free copy of your credit reports annual at annualcreditreport.com.

Identity Theft

If you suspect your identity has been stolen, visit www.IdentityTheft.gov for a list of steps to take based on your circumstance.