Banks across the region have been notified by banking authorities of a recent increase in text and phone scams designed to impersonate legitimate financial institutions. These scams are becoming more convincing, often appearing to come from a bank’s real phone number—making it more important than ever to stay aware of how these schemes work and how to protect yourself.
What These Scam Messages Look Like
As part of this broader trend, some individuals have reported receiving text messages claiming to be from their bank with warnings about “unusual sign‑in activity.” These messages often:
-Ask you to reply YES or NO
-Urge you to click a link to “terminate fraud”
-Create a sense of urgency to get you to respond quickly
In many cases, anyone who replies then receives a phone call from someone spoofing the bank’s phone number—in our case, 239‑472‑6100—and asking questions about online banking, debit card activity, or personal information. These messages and calls may look real, but they are not legitimate and are not coming from us.
How to Protect Yourself
Because these types of scams are affecting banks everywhere—and because spoofed messages can be incredibly convincing—it’s important to keep a few key reminders top of mind:
-We will never send a text asking you to click a link to log in.
-We will never ask for your password, multi‑factor authentication codes, or private account details by text or phone.
-If you didn’t initiate the call or message, don’t share information with the person on the other end.
If something feels off, trust your instincts and pause before responding.
If You Think You Interacted With a Suspicious Message
If you believe you may have replied to a questionable text or phone call, please contact us at 239‑472‑6100. Our team can review your account and confirm that everything is secure.
Staying Aware Is Your Best Protection
Fraud continues to evolve across the financial industry, but a little caution goes a long way. Staying alert, slowing down, and listening to your instincts when something doesn’t seem right are some of the strongest ways to protect yourself.
At Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, we appreciate your trust in us and remain committed to protecting you and your accounts.
