Banks Never Ask That

Video courtesy of Texas Bankers Association
 

Not a day goes by that someone doesn't fall victim to a scam, including during the holidays, and WestStar wants to help you avoid them. There are different ways scammers try to take your hard-earned money, including email, phone, text, and many more. We want to change that.

Do not be the next victim! Learn how to spot email, phone, and other scams:

Email Scams

    1. Avoid clicking on suspicious links: Do not click without hovering over the link to reveal where it leads. When in doubt, call us at 915.532.1000.
    2. Do not give in to scare tactics: Never reply with personal information like your password, PIN, or social security number.
    3. Watch for typos and suspicious attachments: Misspellings, poor grammar, and unexpected attachments are warning signs of a phishing scam.
    4. Be skeptical of every email: Fraudulent emails can appear convincing by using official logos and similar URLs. Treat every email with caution.

Phone Call Scams

    1. Caller ID can be deceiving: Even if your phone shows it is WestStar calling, it could be a scam. Scammers can make any name or number appear on your caller ID. 
    2. Never share personal information: We may need to verify personal details if you call us, but if a bank calls asking questions it is a scammer.
    3. Ignore urgent requests: Words like “act now” or “urgent” are red flags — regardless, do not give in to the pressure.
    4. Hang up, look up, call back: End unexpected, suspicious calls and dial the number on the back of your WestStar card.

Mobile Payment / Text Message Scams

    1. Only send money to friends and family: Never send money to people you do not know or trust. Once you send money through payment apps, you can not cancel a payment.
    2. Do not click on suspicious text message links: Never click on a text message link if it asks you to sign into your bank account. Scammers are trying to steal your username and password.
    3. Delete any text message that you suspect is a scam: Do not risk accidentally replying to or saving a fraudulent text message on your phone.
    4. Avoid uncommon payment methods: We will never ask you to send money to yourself or pay bills using a payment app. When in doubt, call the number on the back of WestStar your card.