(Washington, D.C., Friday, October 7, 2022) – The American Bankers Association (ABA) is kicking off an industry-wide, national campaign to educate consumers about the persistent threat of phishing scams. More than 2,000 banks have participated in the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign since it first launched in 2020, and this year’s campaign will be the biggest yet. The award-winning campaign uses attention-grabbing humor to reinforce the notion that banks do not text, call or email customers asking for sensitive information like their passwords and social security numbers. The campaign is the largest consumer protection initiative in ABA’s history.
Banks of all sizes across the country are simultaneously launching the campaign on October 3 to mark the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout the month, the banks and ABA will share new content including eye-catching and engaging short videos, animations, and graphics on social media and in bank branches designed to highlight common phishing schemes targeting bank customers. Consumers can find more of these videos and tips along with an educational, interactive online game, “Scam City,” at the campaign’s website.
Americans lost more than 5.8 billion dollars to phishing and other fraud in 2021 according to the FTC, an increase of more than 70% compared to 2020.
The American Bankers Association’s top cybersecurity expert, Paul Benda, an Air Force veteran who previously worked at the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, shares tips on how consumers can spot common phishing schemes and protect themselves.