Security Center
We are so glad that you have chosen Republic as your bank! Here at Republic Bank, we try to provide our clients with tools to make banking easier, more efficient, and safer. However, there are fraudsters who use sophisticated tactics to attempt to get their hands on your hard-earned money. We want to provide you with the information you need to help you avoid these scams.
- Scammers use clever tactics to convince you to send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, cashier’s checks, or even gold by pretending to be someone you know or trust (ie: a state or federal government employee, a lawyer, a charity organization, or a financial institution).
- These bad actors use scare tactics like threatening to shut off utilities, threatening legal trouble, and even threatening arrests to create fear and a sense of urgency.
- Be cautious of Caller ID phone numbers as they can be spoofed or made to appear as legitimate sources. It’s always best to hang up and call the organization or agency at the known phone number and request to speak to someone for verification.
- Businesses and government agencies will never request gift cards, cryptocurrency, quick-pay transfer services (like Zelle or Cash App), or gold as a form of payment.
- Bad actors may impersonate a business or a person to trick you into sharing personal information such as user IDs, passwords, account numbers, or bank account information.
- Scammers use fraudulent emails, text messages, or fake websites that appear authentic to steal your information. Use extreme caution before clicking a link a text message or email. Republic Bank will never call you and ask for personal information without your request. We will never message you from a regular local or non-local number – Republic Bank only uses short codes for alerts (ex: 454545). Republic Bank and its representatives will never ask you for your UserID and/or Password for online banking. If you receive a text message regarding fraud on your account and/or debit card, contact us right away at 888-584-3600.
- Bad actors can impersonate businesses or trusted individuals to gain your trust and interest in investment opportunities. These types of scams promise high returns for fictitious investments.
- These scams require high upfront costs and try to convince you to transfer large amounts of funds via wire or directly into a bitcoin ATM. Once these funds are deposited, they go right to the scammer’s account and cannot be recovered.
- Fraudsters will use social media ads, fake websites, and news articles to trick people into investing. Be sure to research any investment opportunities thoroughly, verifying that any business is legitimate and trustworthy before sending any money.
- Not every social media profile is a real person -some are engineered by anonymous fraudsters who take over social media accounts of known family or friends.
- Once fraudsters gain access to a social media profile, they might promote fictitious investment opportunities, try selling fake products/services, or attempt to introduce you to “friends”.
- Once a social media scammer has gained someone’s trust, they will begin to manipulate their victim into sharing personal information, allowing digital access to accounts, and asking them to send/receive items, money, or mail on their behalf. They may even request help from their victim due to an “emergency” situation.
- Are you being asked to lie or keep secrets from friends, family, banking staff, or law enforcement about your transactions? If you find yourself in a situation where you’re being directed to lie to what should be a trusted individual, STOP and we can help you.
- Pause and reconsider if you’ve been instructed to mail cash or purchase gift cards.
- There is no legitimate instance where cryptocurrency should be forced for a payment.
- Be cautious if you are depositing funds for payment of employment for a “work at home” job or “secret or mystery shopper” job and were hired online or over the phone.
- Pause and reconsider if you have been asked to send or receive funds on someone else’s behalf.
- A legitimate business or agency would never request that you withdraw funds from your financial institution to protect your money or fix an issue of fraud. Never move money to “protect” it from fraud. If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud and need help, call Republic Bank at 1-888-584-3600.
- Law Enforcement will never call you to inform you of an outstanding warrant, additionally you cannot pay your way out of a warrant or legal trouble.
If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud, please contact Republic Bank and your local law enforcement immediately.
For Internet related crimes: www.iC3.gov
For Mail related crimes: www.uspis.gov
For Identity Theft crimes: www.Identitytheft.gov
Security Center Resources
Identity Theft – Consumer
- Lost or Stolen Card?
- Privacy Protection And Preventing ID Theft
- Online Security
- Mobile Security
- Credit Monitoring
- Banks Never Ask That Campaign
- Email Scams
- Social Engineering