How to Protect Yourself from Fraud
2/13/2023
Fraud and scams are a part of everyday life for anyone with a phone number or email address.
Make sure you and your loved ones know about these common attempts to steal your personal information.
Social Media Scams
Be wary of “like and share” posts. Answering a social media post about your grandmother’s holiday traditions may seem harmless, but fraudsters can use these personal details to answer security questions tied to your important accounts.Online Shopping
Fraudsters set up email addresses very similar to a business or company name. If you receive an email asking for payment, verify the email address is correct before sending any funds. Legitimate online shopping websites should feature a payment option and not email you to ask for payment.
Travel Scams
Use secure and reputable sites to book your flights and accommodations. It’s a good idea to call the hotel directly and confirm your reservation. You can also search the name of the travel company, hotel, rental or agent with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint” to see if there are any red flags.
Fake Charities
If you want to give back, donate to a charity through its official website. Before entering your credit card information, click around the website first, looking to make sure there are working and correct links, a clear explanation of the organization’s purpose and https:// at the beginning of the web address. You can also verify an organization's legitimacy through Charity Navigator.Phony Gift Cards
Buying a gift card for that person who’s hard to please? Only purchase gift cards from official outlets and keep your receipt as proof of purchase. Don’t fall for “claim your free gift card” offers on social media, even if the advertisement features well-known brands. These links could take you to a malicious website.Grandparents Scam
Talk to your elderly family members about fraudsters who may call them pretending to be a relative, usually a grandchild, stranded without money and asking them to wire funds. No matter what the caller says, always hang up.Temporary Job Scams
Need some extra cash? Only give your personal information to an official source for a job listing. Visit or call the business to ensure the job listing is legitimate before sharing any personal details.SouthState Bank advises people to talk to their family members about scams and how to avoid fraud. In general, people are less likely to fall for a scheme if they’ve already heard about it.
When in doubt about an email or text you receive with a link, call our Customer Care team at (800) 277-2175 or contact your local branch to speak to banker before you click.
