FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: ABA Media Contact: Sarah Grano, sgrano@aba.com; Leah Driver, ldriver@mycsbin.com / 765-529-5450 ext. 7749
CSB Joins ABA and Banks Across U.S. for #BanksNeverAskThat Anti-Phishing Campaign
NEW CASTLE, IN, October 4, 2023: Today Citizens State Bank joined the American Bankers Association and banks across the nation to promote an industry-wide campaign educating consumers about the persistent threat of phishing scams. The FTC estimates that consumers lost $8.8 billion to phishing and other fraud in 2022, an increase of more than 65% compared to 2021. To combat phishing, the award winning #BanksNeverAskThat campaign uses attention-grabbing humor and other engaging content to empower consumers to identify bogus bank communications asking for sensitive information like their passwords and social security numbers.
"We take our role as a financial partner seriously," commented Brock Davis, Chief Banking Officer, "and part of that is providing educational resources to our clients to help them protect their identities and assets."
“By impersonating a bank, a scammer can steal thousands of dollars with just one text message, phone call or email,” said Paul Benda, senior vice president, operational risk and cybersecurity at ABA. “With the strong support of participating banks like Citizens State Bank, the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign seeks to turn the tables by arming consumers with the information they need to outsmart the scammers and protect their money.”
Citizens State Bank, along with banks from across the U.S., will join forces with ABA to kick off this year’s updated campaign on Oct. 2 to mark the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout the month CSB will share engaging short videos and consumer tips on social media and their website that are designed to highlight common phishing schemes. Because cybersecurity education and fraud awareness can often be dull and forgettable to many consumers, the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign is designed to be bright and bold with a bit of comedy.
“Would you rather give up sugar or salt?,” one of the campaign’s social media posts asks users. “Banks texting you about sweet vs savory would be just as weird as banks texting you a link to login, ‘cause #BanksNeverAskThat.”
The campaign’s short videos offer similarly ridiculous scenarios like wallpapering a room with cash, roasting marshmallows over a cash fire and recycling cash on garbage day to remind people they stand to lose real money if they aren't vigilant. Consumers are directed to BanksNeverAskThat.com where they will find a new interactive quiz, the "Scam City" video game, engaging videos, and tips on how to spot phishing scams. This year, the campaign is also offering a Spanish language version of the website, BancosNuncaPidenEso.com, and providing a host of other #BanksNeverAskThat consumer resources in Spanish.
For more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters in their tracks, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com.
About Citizens State Bank
Citizens State Bank is a fourth-generation family-owned community bank that has offered a full range of financial services in central Indiana since 1873. Our mission is to help our clients, co-workers, and communities succeed. We believe every client deserves to have a banker they can count on, and we are committed to being a responsible, knowledgeable banking partner. To learn more, call 888-529-5450 or visit www.mycsbin.com.
The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Citizens State Bank and its affiliates, and Citizens State Bank is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any information contained in this article or items hyperlinked within. This is for informational purposes and is no way intended to provide legal advice.
