Beware of Fraudulent Callers Posing as SouthState Bank
5/7/2025 - By Rachel Ham - SouthState Stories and Insights

Important Tips
- SouthState Bank will NEVER contact a customer to request sensitive information such as PINs, passwords, security codes, account numbers, a username, personal or account information.
- SouthState does not send text messages as part of our claim initiation process for disputed charges.
- Authorized text messages from SouthState about suspicious transactions are sent from 37-268. If you receive a text message claiming to be from SouthState with a different number, call us immediately at (800) 277-2175. Do not respond to the text.
- Email notifications from SouthState will come from [email protected].
How the Scam Works
- A customer receives a call from a fraudster claiming to be from SouthState Bank. In some instances, a text message is sent to the customer, which appears as a valid alert, to confirm whether or not a transaction should be allowed.
- The fraudster “spoofs” the phone number to make it look like it’s coming from SouthState Bank, N.A. Customer Care phone Number, 1-800-277-2175.
- The purpose of the call is to alert the customer of fraudulent transactions on their account that do not actually exist.
- The fraudster is trying to gain access to the customer's online accounts or debit card.
- The fraudster provides the last 4 digits of the card number and notifies the customer of a refund for the false transactions.
- For debit cards, the fraudster provides the last 4 digits of the card number and notifies the customer of a refund for the false transactions.
- The scammer tells the customer to reply “yes” to the initial text message “in order to file a claim” and dispute the charge. Instead, clicking “yes” actually authorizes the transaction, allowing the scammer to make a fraudulent purchase.
- For online banking, the fraudster enters the customer’s username into online banking and selects “Forgot Password”.
- A “Forgot Password” Secure Access Code (SAC) is sent to the customer.
- The fraudster asks for the code and the customer provides it, thus giving the fraudster access to the customer’s online banking.
- The fraudster initiates Zelle payments prompting the customer to receive an SMS message to authorize payment.
- The customer replies YES to authorize the Zelle transaction and the funds are debited from the customer’s account.
What to Do if You Receive A Call
- NEVER provide a texted security code to anyone over the phone - it is only used to access your online account.
- If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from SouthState Bank requesting personal account information (like your username/password/security access code), hang up the phone.
- If you have questions about your account activity, you can log into your online banking or call us at the phone number on the back of your debit card.
- Remember that Caller IDs can be manipulated easily and are not a good way to confirm the identity of a caller.