Jonesburg State Bank on Oct. 1 joined the American Bankers Association and banks across the nation in launching a first-of-its-kind, industry-wide campaign to educate consumers about the persistent threat of phishing scams. The FTC estimates that consumers lost $1.9 billion to phishing schemes and other fraud in 2019 and the ongoing pandemic has only increased the threat. To combat phishing, the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign uses attention-grabbing humor and other engaging content to empower consumers to identify bogus bank communications asking for sensitive information like their passwords and social security numbers.

“Sadly, scams and fraud are around us every single day and people must educate themselves to be protected from these bad characters,” said Dan Robb, president and CEO of Jonesburg State Bank. “Jonesburg State Bank’s most precious asset is our customers and we are committed to protect them the best we can.”

“This campaign is an unprecedented effort by the banking industry to address a growing threat to our customers,” ABA president and CEO Rob Nichols said. “Thanks to participating banks like Jonesburg State Bank, we’re turning the tables on the bad guys by giving consumers the tools they need to spot illegitimate bank communications.”

Jonesburg State Bank, along with banks across the country and ABA, simultaneously launched the campaign on Oct. 1 to mark the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout the month, Jonesburg State Bank will promote banking safely by sharing tips to protect its customers from fraudulent activity in e-mails, mailers, newspaper ads and with daily tips on social media. Because cybersecurity education and fraud awareness can often be dull and forgettable to many consumers, the campaign is designed to be bright and bold with a bit of comedy.

“Do you prefer boxers or briefs? Do you believe in aliens?,” one of the campaign’s animated GIFs asks social media users. “Banks would never ask you these questions. Here’s another question a real bank would never ask: We’ve spotted some unusual activity on your account. Can you please verify your username and password?”

The campaign’s short videos offer similarly ridiculous questions that banks would never ask and direct consumers to BanksNeverAskThat.com for more information. At that website, consumers will find the #BanksNeverAskThat quiz, videos, phishing red flags, tips and FAQs.

For more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters in their tracks, visit www.BanksNeverAskTate.com.