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I wish there was more promotion of the simple way to protect yourself from most scams - if someone initiates contact with you, contact them back through a chann

I wish there was more promotion of the simple way to protect yourself from most scams - if someone initiates contact with you, contact them back through a channel you found independently in a way you already trust. My bank keeps warning me of scams and has a list of ways to protect yourself, but they're stupid things like check if the message is from a mobile number, and does it sound too good to be true? They don't mention the more robust and simple technique of calling back using the number on the back of your bank card. This will nip voice impersonation scams in the bud too. I hired a lawyer who did advise that. Telling me not to pay any invoices they send me without first contacting them to confirm. On the other hand, my doctor sends text messages asking for bills to be paid to an account number in the message itself. Training people to trust scam techniques!

WhyNotHugo 2y ago
I got a call once where the guy said he was from a bank. He said he wanted to verify who I was, so was going to ask me some personal details. I replied "you're the one calling me, how do I know you're really from the bank?". He sounded amused by my reply, commented that my stance was quite uncommon, but I had made a fair point. He said I'd get a message via the bank's webapp, with a phone number where I could call him back. It turned out that it was a legitimate call from the bank. But they clearly aren't training their customers to follow secure practices. The personal information that he was asking for is _exactly_ what a scammer would need to ask me too.
- RileyJames 2y ago
  Exactly. They have the capability to push notification to the app to request you call them. They should do that BEFORE. And if they do outbound, immediately state were pushing a notification and you should call us back as we have something important to discuss.
- nicolas_t 2y ago
  I’ve had a similar experience except that the person was clearly irritated at my response. He cut the call and I was only able to confirm that the call was legitimate because I asked my relationship manager at the bank.

WhyNotHugo 2y ago

I got a call once where the guy said he was from a bank. He said he wanted to verify who I was, so was going to ask me some personal details. I replied "you're the one calling me, how do I know you're really from the bank?". He sounded amused by my reply, commented that my stance was quite uncommon, but I had made a fair point. He said I'd get a message via the bank's webapp, with a phone number where I could call him back. It turned out that it was a legitimate call from the bank. But they clearly aren't training their customers to follow secure practices. The personal information that he was asking for is _exactly_ what a scammer would need to ask me too.

RileyJames 2y ago
Exactly. They have the capability to push notification to the app to request you call them. They should do that BEFORE. And if they do outbound, immediately state were pushing a notification and you should call us back as we have something important to discuss.
nicolas_t 2y ago
I’ve had a similar experience except that the person was clearly irritated at my response. He cut the call and I was only able to confirm that the call was legitimate because I asked my relationship manager at the bank.