You get a call that appears to be from your financial institution. The caller knows your name, says there’s suspicious activity on your account, and tells you they need to verify some information right away.
It sounds legitimate. It may even look legitimate on your caller ID.
But that doesn’t mean it is.
Phone scammers are becoming more convincing, using urgency, impersonation, and even fake caller ID information to get people to share sensitive details or move money. Knowing what to look for and taking a moment to verify before you act can help protect your accounts and personal information.
If you receive an unexpected call claiming to be from First Financial and the caller asks for sensitive information, hang up. Don’t rely on caller ID or a callback number they provide. Contact First Financial directly at 410-321-6060 and review your accounts for any unusual activity.
How Do Phone Call Scams Work?
Many phone scams start with impersonation.
A scammer may pretend to represent First Financial, another financial institution, a government agency, or an organization you trust. They may tell you there has been suspicious activity on your account, that your account has been compromised, or that your money is at risk.
Then comes the pressure: act now, provide a code, confirm account information, or move money before something bad happens.
That urgency is intentional. Scammers want you to react quickly before you have time to question the call or verify what they’re telling you.
They may also use caller ID spoofing, which allows someone to disguise the name or phone number that appears on your caller ID. That means a scam call can appear to come from a familiar or legitimate number — including a financial institution.
How Can You Tell if a Phone Call Is a Scam?
A little caution can go a long way. Be suspicious if a caller:
- Pressures you to act immediately or makes you feel like you can’t hang up.
- Says your account will be closed, frozen, or compromised unless you take action.
- Tells you to transfer money to a new or “safe” account.
- Asks for sensitive information such as your password, PIN, or security code.
- Requests payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps.
- Asks you to download software or provide remote access to your phone or computer.
- Tells you not to contact First Financial yourself.
- Appears to be calling from a legitimate First Financial number, but still asks you to provide or verify sensitive information.
One of the most important things to remember: a familiar number on your caller ID does not prove the call is legitimate.
What Should You Do if You Receive a Suspicious Call?
If something about a call feels off, you don’t need to figure out whether it’s legitimate while you’re still on the phone.
Instead:
- Hang up. Don’t share or confirm personal, account, or login information.
- Don’t use a callback number provided by the caller.
- Contact First Financial directly using the number on our official website, on your card, on your account statement, or from another trusted First Financial source.
- Review your account and card activity for anything you don’t recognize.
- Change affected login credentials if you believe you may have shared them.
- Turn on account and card alerts to help you keep an eye on activity.
- Report suspicious or unauthorized activity right away.
If you’re ever unsure whether a call really came from First Financial, it’s always okay to hang up and verify it yourself.
What Information Should You Never Share With an Unexpected Caller?
First Financial will never contact you unexpectedly to request personal or sensitive information by phone, email, or text.
Be especially cautious if an unexpected caller asks for:
- Your online or mobile banking password
- Your debit or credit card PIN
- A one-time authentication or security code
- Your full Social Security number
- Information needed to access your account
- Instructions or authorization to move money to another account
- Remote access to your phone, computer, or other device
If a caller asks for sensitive information while claiming to represent First Financial, hang up and contact us directly.
How Can Alerts Help Protect Your Accounts?
You don’t have to wait for something suspicious to happen before taking steps to protect yourself.
Account and card alerts can help you stay aware of activity and spot transactions you don’t recognize sooner. First Financial members can use available tools such as:
- Card Controls & Alerts
- Account activity monitoring
- Balance and transaction eAlerts
- Online and mobile banking to regularly review account activity
A few simple habits, like checking your accounts regularly and turning on alerts, can make it easier to catch unusual activity early.
What if You Already Shared Information With a Scam Caller?
If you realize a call may have been a scam, it’s important to act quickly.
If you shared personal, login, or financial information:
- Contact First Financial immediately.
- Explain what happened and what information was shared.
- Change any passwords or login credentials that may have been compromised.
- Review recent account and card transactions carefully.
- Lock or disable an affected card when available.
- Follow any additional steps First Financial recommends to help secure your accounts.
- Report the scam to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission.
If you notice a transaction you don’t recognize or suspect fraudulent activity on your First Financial account, report it right away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phone Scams
Can scammers make First Financial’s phone number appear on caller ID?
Yes. Scammers can use caller ID spoofing to make a call appear to come from a legitimate phone number. Scammers may even claim to be calling from First Financial’s Fraud Department or another trusted team.
That’s why caller ID should never be your only way of deciding whether a call is legitimate. If you’re unsure, hang up and contact First Financial directly at 410-321-6060.
How can I verify whether First Financial really called me?
If you receive an unexpected call and aren’t sure it’s legitimate, hang up and contact First Financial directly.
Avoid calling the number provided during the suspicious call.
Will First Financial ask for my password or security code?
First Financial will never unexpectedly contact you to request personal or sensitive information.
If a caller unexpectedly asks for your password, PIN, authentication code, or other sensitive information, end the call and contact First Financial directly.
What should I do if I gave information to a scam caller?
Contact First Financial immediately and explain what information you shared. Change any potentially compromised credentials, review your account activity, and follow the steps First Financial recommends to help secure your accounts.
What if someone calls saying there’s fraud on my account?
You don’t have to stay on the phone to resolve the issue. Hang up and contact First Financial directly. If there really is an issue with your account, the First Financial team can help you address it through a trusted channel.
Can account alerts help me catch fraud?
Yes. Account and card alerts can help you notice certain transactions or account activity more quickly. Regularly reviewing your accounts through online and mobile banking can also help you catch anything that doesn’t look right.
Where can I report a phone scam?
If the scam involves your First Financial account or card, contact First Financial immediately. Phone scams can also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission, and caller ID spoofing or unwanted calls can be reported to the Federal Communications Commission.
When in Doubt, Hang Up and Verify
Scammers want you to feel like you have to make a decision right now.
You don’t.
If an unexpected caller asks for sensitive information, pressures you to move money, or simply makes you uncomfortable, hang up. Then contact First Financial directly using a phone number you know you can trust.
Taking an extra minute to verify a call can go a long way toward protecting your information and your accounts.