Fraud & Cybersecurity Awareness

This World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Fidelity Bank joins the Elder Justice Coordinating Council, government agencies, and organizations across the country to raise awareness about business imposter scams and fraud prevention.

Business imposter scams continue to rise nationwide, costing consumers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Criminals often pretend to represent trusted organizations such as banks, government agencies, retailers, or technology companies in an attempt to steal money, access financial accounts, or obtain personal information. Understanding how these scams work can help protect you and your loved ones from becoming victims.

Business imposter scams are widespread and affect people of all ages, including older adults. In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 485,000 reports about business imposters, with reported losses totaling $993 million. Because many scams go unreported, the actual amount lost to these fraud schemes is likely much higher.

These scammers pretend to be someone they’re not to trick you into giving them money, access to your financial accounts, or your personal information. For example, they might claim to be calling from your bank and say there’s a problem with your account. They may pretend to be tech support and claim there’s a virus on your computer. Others may pose as representatives from an online shopping site and say there’s an issue with your order.

Sometimes, scammers will even transfer you to someone claiming to be from the government to help resolve the issue. In reality, it's simply another fraudster attempting to gain your trust and convince you to move money out of your account so they can steal it.

Whatever story they tell, there is usually one thing in common: urgency. Scammers want you to act immediately before you have time to think critically, verify their claims, or speak with someone you trust.

How to Recognize a Business Imposter Scam

Learning to spot the warning signs can help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

Fidelity Bank Will Never:

• Contact you unexpectedly and ask for passwords, account verification codes, debit card PINs, or personal information.
• Demand that you send money using a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer service, gift card, or other difficult-to-trace payment method.
• Tell you to keep a conversation secret from family members, friends, or bank employees.
• Pressure you to act immediately without giving you time to verify the request.

A Scammer Often Will:

• Claim there's a problem with your account that requires immediate action.
• Create a sense of panic or urgency.
• Ask for sensitive personal or financial information.
• Request payment through unconventional methods.
• Instruct you not to discuss the situation with anyone else.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Request

If you receive a call, text message, email, or social media message claiming to be from Fidelity Bank or another trusted organization, do not provide personal or financial information.

Instead:

• Hang up or stop communicating with the sender.
• Contact the organization directly using a phone number or website you know is legitimate.
• Verify whether the request is genuine before taking any action.
• Report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.

Help Protect Your Community from Fraud

Fraud awareness is one of the most effective tools in preventing scams. Share these tips with your friends, family members, colleagues, and especially older adults who may be targeted by fraudsters.

By recognizing the warning signs of business imposter scams, phishing scams, and other forms of financial fraud, you can help protect yourself and those around you from identity theft and financial loss.

To learn more about imposter scams, visit ejcc.acl.gov/imposters. If you encounter an imposter scam—or any other type of scam—report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.