Protect yourself and others from bank fraud scams.

Check fraud is a growing problem.

Paper checks are frequent targets. Even though the use of checks is declining, mail theft and reports of potential check fraud are on the rise, according to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.Disclosure 1

Reasons to avoid paper checks

  • If you mail a check, your sensitive information—full name, address, bank account number, and signature—could end up in the wrong hands. 
  • Criminals can use paper checks to create forged endorsements, altered checks, counterfeit checks, duplicate checks, and more.
  • Fraudsters can also use the information from a stolen check to commit identity theft.

Alternatives to paper checks

  • Use online and mobile banking. Most billers can be paid digitally using our bill pay service.Disclosure 2
  • Send money quickly and easily to people you know and trust using Zelle®.Disclosure 3
  • Set up your PazeSM wallet for online purchases. It hides your card info from vendors.Disclosure 4
  • Use debit or credit cards when you can. It’s easier to track, report, and reverse fraudulent activity on a credit card.

Tips for when you must use checks

  • Use our bill pay service. Most payees are paid digitally through this service, but if checks are printed they are harder to alter than handwritten checks.
  • Don’t leave blank spaces in the payee and amount lines.
  • Hand-deliver written checks if you can.
  • Use the mailbox inside of a USPS facility rather than a curbside or residential box.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month—the perfect time to check out these resources from the American Bankers Association.

Practice Safe Checks.

Better safe than sorry. 
Learn about check fraud.

Banks Never Ask That.

Some requests are red flags. 
Learn the signs of a scam.

Make sure you know who you’re dealing with.

Fraudsters often pose as your friends, colleagues, or someone else you trust to trick you into revealing personal information or sending money. Here’s what to watch out for.

Friend or fraudster?

Social engineering is one of the most prevalent forms of fraud. A scammer pretends to be a person or organization you know, contacting you with a message that seems legitimate but isn’t. This tactic has different names depending on the form of communication.
 

  • Phishing – fraudulent emails or social media direct messages
  • Smishing – fraudulent texts or SMS messages
  • Vishing – fraudulent phone calls or voicemail messages

Beware of bank imposters.

A scammer may pretend to be a bank employee to gain access to your device, your data, or your money. Start following these safety practices if you’re not already:
 

  • Keep your phone contacts up to date – Add your friends, family, and key service providers (e.g., doctor and dentist) to your phone’s contacts list.
  • Never answer a phone call from a number you don’t know – Let these calls go to voicemail. If you get a message from someone who claims to be from Truist or another bank, don’t return the call using the number they provide or the number they called from. Instead, call the number on the back of your credit or debit card. For Truist, call 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478).
  • Never respond to a text message from a number or short code you don’t know – Even messages that appear to be sent in error could be scammers trying to start a false dialogue. Delete suspicious text messages.

Remember: Truist won’t email, text, or call to ask you to provide, update, or verify your personal or account information, such as passwords, Social Security numbers, personal identification numbers (PINs), or credit or debit card numbers. Truist also won’t use scare tactics, threats, or high-pressure language to get you to act quickly—but scammers will.

Learn to spot these common scams.

Educate yourself and your loved ones about what fraudsters are up to.








Small businesses are targets too.

Staying fraud aware, following good security practices, and training your employees about how to recognize and prevent fraud can help you keep your business safe.

Check fraud

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  • Avoid using paper checks when you can. If you must use a paper check, follow the security tips outlined above. Hand-deliver the check if possible, or take it to the mail receptacle inside the post office building.
  • Look for alterations to legitimate checks, such as forged signatures and amounts.
  • Beware of counterfeit checks, which can include an exact replica of your logo, and checks from fictitious organizations.
  • Use Fraud Inspector™ to review transactions that cleared the previous day and initiate the return of any suspected fraudulent items. To access Fraud Inspector, enroll now in Truist online business banking.

Card, ACH, and wire transfer fraud

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  • Be careful with credit purchases from online merchants. Make sure the site is legitimate and secure before entering your card number.
  • Be suspicious of unexpected ACH payment requests received by phone or email, even if an email looks like it’s from a business associate. Call the vendor requesting the payment at a verified phone number and validate all requests.
  • Regularly review bank and credit card statements and track all business transactions. Monitor your electronic transactions for suspicious credits and debits.

Online fraud

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  • Online schemes often attempt to obtain confidential information, including password, identification information, and token-code information.
  • Malicious software can be installed on your computer without your consent. Once installed, it can record keystrokes, redirect your browser, or display a fraudulent website.

Let’s fight fraud together.

Learn more about who’s responsible for what when it comes to keeping your accounts secure.

Security is a team effort.

We’re proactively working on your behalf.

Find out what you need to do to help fight fraud.

Contact us.

Call us.

Reach a real live person Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm ET, or Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm ET. Or get 24-hour automated assistance. Call 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478), or outside the U.S., call +1-910-914-8250. To report fraud, 24/7, select option 1.

Visit a branch.

Meet with an advisor.

Find a specific Truist professional by name, location, or financial need.