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Fraud & Security

Your Security is Very Important to Us!

Security Bank takes the responsibility of securing your account information very seriously. As your financial institution partner, we feel it is important to make you aware of some of the tactics that scammers might use to pose as either the Bank or a company you know. They do this to trick you into providing your financial information to them.

Security Bank may occasionally contact you to communicate important information, however:

  • We will never ask for your passwords and/or login credentials, PIN numbers, full SSN, full card number, 3-digit code on the back of your card, or verification (2FA) codes received by phone, text, or email.
  • Legitimate bank texts will not include clickable links asking for personal data.
  • If you’re ever unsure, hang up and call us directly at: (913) 281-3165.

PPP Loan Recipients Being Targeted

The banking industry has experienced a rash of fraud targeting businesses that received funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The scammers are using publicly available data to make calls or text messages which are more convincing.

If you are suspicious of ANY UNSOLICITED communication that says it is from Security Bank of Kansas City, DO NOT RESPOND.

  • Call Us immediately at (913) 281-3165, or
  • Visit your nearest Security Bank of Kansas City location for assistance.
Caller ID Fraud, or spoofing, is when a scammer falsifies caller ID information to make it look like the call or text is coming from a trusted source such as a government agency, your bank, or even a trusted friend or family member. Here are some FAQs to help you understand and recognize Caller ID & SMS Text Fraud as well as important information on what to do if you think you’ve been a victim.
 
What is Caller ID Fraud?
Caller ID Fraud, or spoofing, is when a scammer deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their real identity. Fraudsters may impersonate Security Bank of Kansas City, making it appear as if a legitimate call is coming from the Bank’s phone number.
 
Can scammers also fake text messages?
Yes. Scammers can also send fraudulent text messages pretending to be from Security Bank or another trusted source to trick you into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information.
 
What do these scams typically look or sound like?
Scam calls or texts may:
    • Claim your account is locked or compromised.
    • Ask you to verify sensitive data such as passwords and/or login credentials, PIN numbers, full SSN, full card number, 3-digit code on the back of card, or verification (2FA) codes.
    • Include a suspicious callback number or a link to “reactivate” your card or “confirm” a transaction.
    • Pressure you to act urgently to prevent fraud or account closure.
    • Instruct you to send money, especially via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
 
How can I tell if a call or text is really from Security Bank?
We may call or text you for legitimate reasons, however:
    • We will never ask for your passwords and/or login credentials, PIN numbers, full SSN, full card number, 3-digit code on the back of your card, or verification (2FA) codes received by phone, text, or email.
    • Legitimate bank texts will not include clickable links asking for personal data.
    • If you’re ever unsure, hang up and call us directly at: (913) 281-3165.
 
What should I do if I receive a suspicious call or text?
    • Do not respond, click links, or provide any information.
    • Hang up immediately if the call feels suspicious.
    • Take a screenshot or note the message/number.
    • Call us directly at (913) 281-3165 to report the issue or check your account. You may also visit your nearest Security Bank of Kansas City location.
    • We also recommend reporting scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
 
What if I accidentally shared my sensitive information with a scammer?
During Business Hours:
    • Call us immediately at (913) 281-3165, or
    • Visit your nearest Security Bank of Kansas City location for assistance.
After Hours:
    • If you have online or mobile banking, log in, follow the steps under Card Management and lock your debit card immediately, to help prevent unauthorized use.
    • You can also call our 24-Hour Telephone Banking line at (844) 810-7603 to report your debit card as lost or stolen by selecting the Card Services option.
    • Call us immediately on the next business day at (913) 281-3165.
Even if you’re unsure, it’s always better to reach out. We’re here to help you protect your accounts.
 
How can I help protect myself from spoofing scams?
    • Don’t rely on caller ID alone.
    • Don’t click suspicious links in texts.
    • Don’t share account or personal information unless you initiated contact or verified the caller by hanging up and calling back using a verified phone number (e.g. phone number found on your bank statement, our website, or the back of your debit or credit card).
    • Enable fraud alerts and two-factor authentication in online and mobile banking.
    • Avoid downloading software or apps suggested during unsolicited calls. These can give scammers access to your phone or other banking information.
    • Turn on scam call blocking or screening features in your phone settings – many phones can warn you when a call might be a scam.
    • Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry at https://www.donotcall.gov/ . (This won’t stop all scammers, but it may help.)
    • Stay alert: If something feels off, it probably is.
    • Keep your contact information up to date with the Bank.
 
Does Security Bank monitor for fraud?
Yes. We use a variety of systems to monitor for suspicious activity and may alert you if something unusual is detected. However, no system can catch every threat, so your awareness and vigilance are the first line of defense. Be diligent and question anything that seems out of the ordinary.
Remember: we’ll never ask for sensitive information via unsolicited calls or texts.
Phishing happens when thieves send emails that appear to be from a business you know or the bank asking you to “verify” information or otherwise divulge personal data.

Commonly, you will be asked to “click a link” or “reply” to confirm your personal data, bank account/debit or credit card information, online banking credentials, etc. If a link is used, it may also be infected with malicious software designed to steal your personal information. Should you receive an email like this, do not respond. If it includes Security Bank of Kansas City’s name, contact us.
This is the telephone equivalent of phishing, which includes the use of a phone call to swindle you into surrendering private or financial information.

In this case, the caller may or may not pose as the Bank. Most commonly, the scammer will solicit an offer that is too good to be true or ask for a donation. They may also attempt to provide urgent news by pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or computer tech support stating your PC is infected. They occasionally pose as a family member (i.e. grandchild is stranded or in trouble with the law).

Ultimately, the criminal will attempt to scam you into providing your bank account or debit/credit card information to pay a fee or fine. If you receive such a call, don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Look up the phone number of the company, organization or family member/other relative using a legitimate source, then contact them directly (even if the caller provides a reason not to do so).

Alert - Social Security Scam

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is getting reports of a resurgence of a phone scam involving people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to get your Social Security number and even your money. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security number has been linked to a crime (often, he says it happened in Texas) involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked – but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security number.

In other variations, he says that somebody used your Social Security number to apply for credit cards, and you could lose your benefits. Or he might warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, that you need to withdraw your money, and that he’ll tell you how to keep it safe.

But all of these are scams. Here’s what you need to know:
    • The SSA will never (ever) call and ask for your Social Security number. It won’t ask you to pay anything. And it won’t call to threaten your benefits.
    • Your caller ID might show the SSA’s real phone number (1-800-772-1213), but that’s not the real SSA calling. Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID.
    • You can’t trust what you see there.
    • Never give your Social Security Number to anyone who contacts you. Don’t confirm the last 4 digits. And don’t give a bank account or credit card number – ever – to anybody who contacts you asking for it.
    • Remember that anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card, or send cash is a scammer. Always. No matter who they say they are.
If you’re worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone. Then call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If you’ve spotted a scam, then tell the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

After receiving an email or telephone call to request a payment by wire to a person or a vendor, for your protection, confirm the request is legitimate. Call the person or company using the phone number you know to be valid.

Fraud and scams are more common than ever. Here's what you need to know to spot the warning signs and protect yourself, your loved ones, and your finances.

💸 Money Mule Scams: Don’t Get Tricked into Moving Dirty Money

Scammers are always looking for someone else to do their dirty work. Money mule scams trick people into moving stolen money—sometimes without even realizing it. Often it starts with a fake job offer, a “quick cash” gig on social media, or a request from an online love interest. You might be asked to send or receive money or packages. If you agree, you could be helping criminals—and putting yourself at legal risk.

What to do: Don’t agree to receive or send money or packages for people you either don’t know or haven’t met. Also, be aware of jobs that promise easy money. Click on the button below to learn more about the red flags and what to do if you think you might be involved in a money mule scam.

What is a Money Mule?

 

💔 Romance Scams: When Love Isn’t What It Seems

In the digital age, it’s easier than ever to connect with people online and scammers know it. Romance scams happen when someone pretends to be interested in a romantic relationship, but their true goal is to gain your trust… and your money. These scammers often connect through dating sites or social media, slowly building what feels like a genuine relationship. Once trust is established, they may ask for money or access to your personal or financial information.

What to do: Be careful about who you connect with and what information you share online, or over texts or social media. Don’t send money or share sensitive personal information, such as bank account or credit card numbers or a Social Security number, with a new love connection. Click on the button below to learn more about how to avoid romance scams.

Break Up with Online Romance Scams

 

📲 Mobile Payment Scams: Fast Money, Real Risk

Scammers love speed—and mobile payment apps or wire transfers give them just that. If someone you don’t know asks you to send money, even if they claim to be from the government, hit pause—it’s likely a scam. Stick to sending money only to people you know and trust. Even then, double-check requests. Scammers can spoof names, numbers, and accounts.

What to do: Never send money to someone you don’t know. If you think you made a money transfer or mobile app payment to a scammer, contact your bank or the company you used to send the money immediately and alert them that there may have been an unauthorized transaction. You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center


🛑 Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is.

Scammers use mobile payment apps to sell things they don’t actually have—like concert tickets, pets, or even fake services. You pay, but the goods never arrive. Some flip the script: they “buy” something from you, send a fake payment, then cancel it before it clears—leaving you empty-handed.

What to do: Never send money to someone you don’t know. If you think you made a payment to a scammer, contact your bank or the company you used to send the money immediately and alert them to your situation and ask for their help. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center

 

✉️ Mail Fraud: Real Envelope, Fake Promises

If a letter claims you’ve won big—but asks for money or personal info first—it’s likely a scam. Common red flags include fake sweepstakes, prize notices, or vacation offers that sound too good to be true.

What to do: The United States Postal Service (USPS) has identified common postal or mail fraud schemes. The US Postal Inspection Service also provides tips on mail fraud and where to report suspicious mail and related scam emails or texts. Click on the button below to read more about how to recognize and report mail fraud.

US Postal Service and Mail Fraud

 

🕵️ Man-in-the-Middle Scams: When the Scammer’s Watching

In this sneaky cyber scam, fraudsters slip between you and a trusted source—like a fake Wi-Fi network, email link, or QR code—so they can see everything you do and steal your personal info. They may even impersonate someone you trust, like a real estate agent or payment contact, to trick you into sending money straight to them.

What to do: Avoid public wireless networks and free charging stations in public places. Don’t click on QR codes or links, or download attachments, in unsolicited texts or emails. Carefully examine email addresses and website URLs, even if they appear to be from someone you know. Before you send money, verify that the person you know is the one requesting it and that you have the correct payment information. If you think you’ve been impacted by a man-in the-middle scam, you can also file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center

 

🎭 Impostor Scams: Don’t Trust the Name—Verify the Message

Scammers often pretend to be someone you trust—like a government worker, bank rep, or even law enforcement—to pressure you into sending money or sharing personal info. They may claim there’s a problem with your account, a legal threat, or say you owe fees or taxes for a lawsuit or lottery. Some even impersonate real employees using fake names or caller IDs.

What to do: Remember, caller ID and emails can be faked, voices can be cloned, and images can be altered. Call the bank, company, organization, or government agency directly and ask if the person works for them and if there really is a problem. Read more about impostor scams.

How to Avoid Imposter Scams

 

⚠️ Debt Settlement Scams: Beware of False Promises

Debt relief companies may promise to lower or settle your debts, but many scams leave you deeper in trouble—charging high fees without actual results.

What to do: Avoid doing business with a company that guarantees they can settle your debts, especially those that charge up-front fees before performing any services. Instead, you can work with a reputable nonprofit credit counseling program that can help you work with your creditors. Click below to learn more about the risks of working with a debt settlement or relief company and other help that might be available.

Debt Settlement or Relief


📞 Debt Collection Scams: Don’t Pay What You Don’t Owe

Fake debt collectors try to get you to pay debts you don’t owe. Also, be cautious of debt settlement companies promising to fix your debt but potentially leaving you worse off.

What to do: Ask the debt collector for their company name and mailing address and information about the debt they say you owe. Be on the lookout for threats of criminal charges or other warning signs. Read more about warning signs of a debt collection scam.

How do I Tell if a Debt Collector is Legitimate or a Scam?

 

🎉 Lottery & Prize Scams: If You Didn’t Enter, You Didn’t Win

You’re told you’ve won a prize but must pay fees or taxes upfront. Scammers may even claim to be government officials.

What to do: Avoid providing any personal or financial information, including credit cards or Social Security numbers, to anyone you don’t know. Also, never make an upfront payment for a promised prize, especially if they demand immediate payment.  Click on the button below to learn more about lottery or prize scam red flags.

How to Spot a Scammer?


🔒 Blackmail Scams: Don’t Give in to Threats

Scammers threaten to release private or embarrassing content unless you pay—often asking for money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. They could be strangers or someone you met online.

What to do: Try to stay calm in spite of blackmailers’ intimidation and high-pressure tactics. Stop communicating with them and don’t pay them. Keep all messages as evidence to help law enforcement. Keep in mind that you don’t need to deal with this alone.

If you’re a minor, let an adult you trust know what’s happening and report the threat to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.

Report blackmail to the police and to your local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field office, by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at tips.fbi.gov. You can also report threats involving the internet, such as when a mobile payment app is involved, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. If the threat involves social media, consider reporting it to the social media company.


❤️ Charity Scams: Give Safely, Not Sadly

Fraudsters pose as real or fake charities, especially after disasters or during holidays, to trick you into donating. Beware of urgent donation requests via calls, social media live streams, or AI-generated images and voices.

What to do: Ask for detailed information about the charity, including address and phone number. Look up the charity through their website or a trusted third-party source to confirm that the charity is real.  Click on the button below to see more steps to take to avoid a charity scam.

Donating Safely and Avoiding Scams


👵👴 Grandparent Scams: When Loved Ones Ask for Money, Verify First

Scammers impersonate relatives, often using cloned voices or altered images, to ask for emergency money or gift cards. These emotional scams target older adults, especially during holidays.

What to do: Beware of a caller who insists on secrecy and contact your relative yourself to verify the story. If you can’t reach them, try to get in touch with them through another trusted person, another family member, or their friends. Read more about other ways to protect older adults from fraud and financial exploitation.

Protecting Older Adults from Fraud and Financial Exploitation


🏠 Foreclosure Relief Scams: Don’t Lose Your Home Twice

Fraudsters promise to save your home but ask for upfront fees or paperwork that can cost you your property. Don’t sign anything you don’t fully understand.

What to do: If you are having trouble making payments on your mortgage, a Housing and Urban Development  (HUD)-approved housing counseling agency can help you assess your options and avoid scams. If you think you may have been a victim of a foreclosure relief scam, you may also want to find legal help through your local bar association or legal aid. Click below to learn more about mortgage loan modification scams.

What are Mortgage Loan Modification Scams


🏡 Mortgage Closing Scams: Don’t Let Fraudsters Steal Your Home

As you approach closing, scammers impersonate real estate or settlement agents to steal your down payment or closing costs via fake emails.

What to do: These schemes—a common type of man-in-the-middle scam—are often complex and appear as legitimate conversations with your real estate or settlement agent. When you’re about to close on your home, identify trusted individuals who can confirm the process and payment instructions, and write down their names and contact information so you can reach out to them directly. Click below to learn more about what steps you should take to help protect your closing funds.

Mortgage Closing Scams and How to Protect Yourself


⚠️ FDIC Logo Misuse: Don’t Be Fooled by Fake Security

Scammers use the FDIC logo or claim FDIC insurance to appear legit—sometimes linked to cryptocurrency schemes. Always verify before trusting.

What to do: Double-check whether the business is an FDIC-insured bank by using the lookup page on the FDIC’s BankFind site.
Common payment methods used by scammers.

Never send money to someone you don’t know. Scammers use a variety of ways to collect money from you, including:

    • Wire transfers
    • Money transfers
    • P2P (peer-to-peer or person-to-person) payment services and mobile payment apps
    • Gift cards
    • Cryptocurrency
 

Learn more about common frauds and scams.

Suspect a scam? Report it!

Contact your local police or sheriff’s office and your state attorney general.

Report consumer scams to the Federal Trade Commission

You can also report scams involving the internet, such as scams involving mobile payment apps, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.