Beware of Fraudulent Callers Posing as SouthState Bank

1.  SouthState Bank will NEVER contact a customer to request sensitive information such as PINs, passwords, security codes, account numbers, a username, a Treasury Navigator Activation Key, or specific account information.

2. SouthState does not send text messages as part of our claim initiation process for disputed charges.

3. If you receive a text message claiming to be from SouthState, call us immediately at (800) 277-2175 to verify. Do not respond to the text
    

How the Fraudulent Scam Works

Fraud actors may attempt an impersonation scam where they place a ‘courtesy call’ to you and pretend to be a representative of SouthState Bank. Listed below are the various scam tactics used by the fraudsters.
 

Establish Credibility

• Call or send a text message claiming to be from SouthState Bank. 

• “Spoof” the phone number on your Caller ID or messages app to make it look like it’s coming from SouthState Bank, N.A. Customer Care phone Number, 1-800-277-2175.

• Reference the last four digits of your Social Security Number or debit card, or other identifying information to gain your trust.

• Send a code via text message to your phone and request you to read it back. SouthState will only send you security codes related to actions that you initiate

Create a False Sense of Urgency

• Call or send a fake bank text message to alert you of fraudulent transactions pending on your account, but these transactions do not actually exist.

• Pressure you to act quickly in order to avoid financial harm.

Request Sensitive Account Information

• Confirm your full debit card number, your online banking password, or Treasury Management clients may be asked for their Activation Key.

• Send you a fake security code via text message and ask you to read it back. This may allow the fraud actor to access your online banking or reset your password.

Normalize Suspicious Activity

• State that you can expect a test transaction, which you can ignore because it’s part of the “protection process.”

• Claim that your online banking access is being suspended for a period of time “for security reasons,” when this time is really used to drain your account balance.

• Send a link to login to your online banking, but the link will be to a fake website meant to steal your credentials.

Other Variations of the Scam

Fraudulent callers will use a variety of methods to gain access to the funds in your account.

• Claim a debit card chip has stopped working and instruct the cardholder to place the card in their mailbox for repair.

• Instruct a customer to send funds to another account via wire transfer or Zelle due to “security reasons.”

• Instruct a customer to respond to an automated text message alert in a specific way, which authorizes fraudulent transactions.
   

What to Do if You Receive a Call or Text Message

• NEVER provide a security code you receive via text message to anyone on the phone. It is only used to access your online account.

• If you receive a suspicious ‘courtesy call’ from someone claiming to be from SouthState Bank requesting personal account information like your username, password, security access code, Treasury Navigator Activation Key, etc., hang up the phone.

• If you have questions about your account activity, you can log into your online banking account to verify a transaction or call SouthState Customer Care at 1-800-277-2175.

• Remember that Caller IDs can be manipulated easily and are not a good way to confirm the identity of a caller.

If you believe you were a victim of a fraudulent scam and provided any information over the phone, please contact SouthState Customer Care immediately at 1-800-277-2175.