What BankSouth Will and Won’t Ask Customers Over the Phone

We WILL Ask Over the Phone to Verify Your Identity:

• Last four digits of your SSN (never the full number)
• Your address
• Your birthday

We WILL NOT Ask Over the Phone:

• Your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
• The CVV (Card Verification Value) on the back of your debit card
• Your online banking password
• Your security code for online banking
• To transfer money

A tech support scam happens when someone pretends to be from a trusted company, like Microsoft, Apple, or your internet provider, and claims your device has a virus or security problem.

They’ll often call, text, or pop up a fake warning on your device’s screen, urging you to give them remote access or pay for “repairs” or “security software.” Once they have access, scammers may steal your personal information, install a virus, or charge you for fake services.

How to Stay Safe:

• Never call numbers that pop up in warning messages.
• Hang up on unsolicited tech support calls.
• Go directly to the company’s official website if you need help.

Scammers are sending fake text messages claiming to be from the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) or Department of Driver Services (DDS). The texts say you owe an unpaid toll or traffic fine and include a link to “pay now.” These messages are not real. Georgia agencies will never text you for payment or personal information. Clicking the link can expose your information or lead to stolen money.

How to Avoid the Scam:

• Don’t click links in unsolicited texts about fines, tolls, or tickets.
• Delete the message immediately and don’t reply.
• Check your license or payment status only through the official dds.georgia.gov
  website.

Remember: Georgia doesn’t have a “DMV,” and real notices come by mail, not text.

Deepfake scams use AI-generated voices, videos, or images to impersonate someone you trust, like a family member, coworker, or even your bank. Scammers might send a video message or call that looks and sounds real, claiming there’s an emergency or asking you to transfer money or share sensitive information. These scams are growing quickly as AI tools become easier to use.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Be skeptical of urgent requests, even if the voice or video looks familiar.
• Verify through another channel, hang up and call the person directly using a known number.
• Avoid sharing personal details or sending money based on a call or video alone.
• Set up family or workplace “safe words” to confirm someone’s identity in emergencies.
• Report impersonation scams to your bank, local law enforcement, and the FTC.

Phishing scams come in the forms of phone calls, texts, voice recognition, and fake QR codes. These scams happen when criminals send emails, texts, or calls pretending to be from a trusted source like your bank, a delivery service, or even a coworker. Their goal is to trick you into clicking a fake link, opening an attachment, or giving away personal information such as passwords or account numbers.

How to Avoid Phishing:

• Stop before you click. Take a moment to look closely at the sender’s address or phone number.
• Think about what’s being asked. Real companies won’t pressure you to act immediately or share sensitive info.
• Call the company or person directly using a verified number if something feels off.
• Don’t click suspicious links or download unexpected attachments.
  • Hover your mouse over it to preview the web address. This helps you spot suspicious or fake websites before you click.
• Turn on two-factor authentication texts to protect your accounts.

Romance scams happen when someone pretends to build a personal or romantic relationship online, often through social media or dating apps, with the goal of gaining your trust and then your money. Scammers may spend weeks or months chatting before claiming there’s an emergency, business opportunity, or travel issue that requires you to send funds or gift cards.

How to Prevent Romance Scams:

• Stop and look for red flags. If someone you’ve never met asks for money, it’s a scam.
• Think before sharing personal photos or financial details online.
• Call a trusted friend or family member for perspective before sending money or gifts.
• Never send money or cryptocurrency to someone you haven’t met in person.
• Be cautious if your new “friend” avoids video calls or meeting face-to-face.

A bank account takeover happens when scammers gain access to your online banking by stealing your login credentials or tricking you into sharing security codes sent to your phone or email. Once they’re in, they can transfer funds, change your account details, or even lock you out completely. If this happens, you’ll likely need to verify your identity with the bank before access can be restored.

How to Stay Protected:

• Never share one-time passcodes or personal banking information, even with someone claiming to be from BankSouth. We will never ask for this information.
• Create strong, unique passwords and update them regularly.
• Be cautious of unexpected calls or texts. If someone asks for your login details, hang up and contact BankSouth directly at (706) 453-2265.

Business Email Compromise is a scam where criminals impersonate company executives, vendors, or partners to trick employees into sending money or sensitive information. These messages often look legitimate using real names, email addresses that appear official, and a sense of urgency to push quick action.

Attackers are also gaining unauthorized access to personal email accounts. Once inside, the attacker can access your personal information, send fraudulent messages attacking people in your contacts, or use your account to access other accounts by using the “forgot password” feature to reset your passwords.

Examples of Fraudulent Emails:

• Your boss emails you requesting you send them money immediately because they lost their company or personal debit card.
• You receive a password reset or confirmation code for something you didn’t request.
• An email is received that states a password for one of your accounts was changed.

How to Prevent It:

• Educate your employees on email compromise prevention.
• Slow down before responding to urgent or unexpected payment requests.
• Be suspicious of any unsolicited messages requesting information.
• Check the sender’s email address closely; even one wrong letter can mean it’s fake.
• Verify requests and account information directly using a known phone number, not the number listed in the email before sending money or sensitive information.
• Use dual approval for wire transfers or payment changes.
• Never share passwords or confidential information over email.
• Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication through text messaging or an authentication app — not email. If your email gets compromised, hackers can use your email to reset passwords to your other accounts.

Check fraud happens when someone alters, forges, or steals a check to take money that doesn’t belong to them. Even though fewer people use checks today, check fraud remains one of the most common types of payment scams and it’s on the rise.

Examples include:

• Stolen checks: Criminals steal checks from mailboxes or drop boxes and change the payee name or amount.
• Counterfeit checks: Scammers print fake checks that look real and use them to make deposits or purchases.
• Altered checks: A legitimate check is washed or modified to change the amount or payee.
• Overpayment scams: Someone sends a check for more than owed and asks you to wire back the extra money, but the check later bounces.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Use secure mailboxes or take checks directly to the post office.
• Never leave blank spaces on checks
• Use permanent gel ink to write checks. Gel ink penetrates the fibers of the check making it tougher to wash off a check.
• Monitor your accounts regularly for unusual withdrawals.
• Use online bill pay or electronic transfers when possible; they’re safer than paper checks.
• Report lost or stolen checks to your bank immediately.

Bitcoin is an open source monetary system, known as cryptocurrency. That means it’s a way to store and send money digitally, using technology that anyone can see and verify because it’s completely public. It’s the world’s largest and most recognized digital asset.

Bitcoin fraud covers scams and criminal schemes that trick people into losing Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. For example, scammers may steal the secret codes for your cryptocurrency, trick you into sending coins to their account, or get you to invest through a bogus website that takes your money. Because Bitcoin transactions are irreversible, once your cryptocurrency is gone it’s very hard to recover.

If You Don’t Have Cryptocurrency. How to Protect Yourself:

• Don’t send money or buy Bitcoin for anyone. No real company, government, or bank will ever require you to pay with cryptocurrency.
• Ignore the “can’t-miss” investment offers. If someone promises big profits fast — especially in crypto — it’s a scam. Ignore these offers even if you see a friend post about it on social media; their profile was most likely hacked by a scammer. Alert them through a trusted contact method to let them know what you saw on their social media.
• Be cautious with links and apps. Don’t click links or download apps from texts, emails, or social media about crypto. They can lead to fake sites.
• Don’t make a crypto account because someone tells you to. Scammers may pretend to be from your bank or law enforcement and say you need an account to “protect your money.” That’s not true.
• Check with someone you trust before acting. A quick chat with a friend, family member, or your bank can help you spot a scam before it’s too late.
• Report it if something feels off. Tell your bank or visit reportfraud.ftc.gov to report the scam attempt.

If You Do Have Cryptocurrency. How to Protect Yourself:

• If you have a crypto wallet, protect your crypto wallet. Never share your seed phrase or private keys; store crypto in a secure wallet.
• Verify before you send: Double-check addresses, websites, and messages. Once sent, Bitcoin can’t be recovered.
• Use strong security: Turn on two-factor authentication, update software, and use hardware wallets for larger holdings.
• Stay alert for scams: Ignore promises of guaranteed returns or urgent payment requests.
• Stick with trusted platforms: Use reputable exchanges and always access them through verified URLs or apps.