Cybersecurity Awareness

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 

Protect Yourself from Online Scams & Fraud

Bank of Commerce Encourages Customers to Stay Alert and Stay Safe Online

As technology continues to make banking more convenient, criminals continue to find new ways to target consumers and businesses. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Bank of Commerce is committed to helping our customers recognize threats, protect their personal information, and reduce the risk of fraud.

Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. By taking a few simple precautions, you can significantly improve your security and reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of scams, identity theft, or account takeover fraud. Cybercriminals often rely on deception rather than technology. Some of the most common scams we see today include:

PHISHING EMAILS AND TEXT MESSAGES

Fraudsters send messages that appear to come from legitimate organizations, including banks, delivery companies, or government agencies. These messages may ask you to:

• Click a link
• Verify account information
• Reset a password
• Provide personal information

Remember: Bank of Commerce will never ask for your online banking password, secure access code, or full debit card PIN through email or text message.

ACCOUNT TAKEOVER ATTEMPTS

Imposter Scams

Scammers frequently pretend to be:

• Bank representatives
• Technical support personnel
• Government agencies
• Utility companies
• Family members in distress

If someone pressures you to act immediately or demands payment, slow down and verify the request independently.

Romance, Gift Card, and Payment App Scams

Fraudsters often build trust over time before requesting money through gift cards, peer-to-peer payment apps like Zelle or CashApp, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. These funds are often impossible to recover once sent.

FOUR SIMPLE STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity experts consistently recommend four key habits that dramatically improve online safety:

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Create passwords that are:

• Long and complex
• Different for every account
• Not based on personal information

Consider using a reputable password manager to securely store your passwords.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification before access is granted. Even if a criminal obtains your password, MFA can help prevent unauthorized access.

Keep Software Updated

Software updates often contain important security fixes. Make sure you regularly update:

• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Computers
• Browsers
• Banking apps

Learn to Recognize Phishing Attempts

Before clicking a link or opening an attachment:

• Verify the sender
• Look for misspellings or unusual wording
• Be skeptical of urgent requests
• Contact the organization directly if you’re unsure

Cybercriminals often rely on urgency and fear to trick victims into acting too quickly.

Special Reminder for Business Customers

Business email compromise (BEC) remains one of the costliest forms of financial fraud. Criminals may impersonate executives, vendors, or customers and request changes to payment instructions.

Before sending a wire, transfer or updating payment information:

• Verify requests through a known phone number
• Confirm changes using an independent communication channel
• Follow established approval procedures
• Never rely solely on instructions received through email

If a request involves moving money, changing account information, or sharing sensitive data, always take time to verify before acting.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT FRAUD

If you believe your account information has been compromised:

1. Contact Bank of Commerce immediately.
2. Change your passwords.
3. Monitor your accounts closely.
4. Report suspicious transactions promptly.
5. Place fraud alerts when appropriate.

The sooner you report suspicious activity; the more options may be available to help protect your accounts.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

At Bank of Commerce, protecting customer information is a year-round commitment. Throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we encourage customers to take a few minutes to review their online security habits and share these tips with family members, friends, and coworkers. By working together, we can make online banking safer for everyone.