Fraud Alert

Recently, a national company announced a data breach impacting over 70 million of their current and former customers.  Their website indicates that their customers’ information was released on the dark web and may contain personal information such as social security numbers, usernames, passwords, and banking information.  If you use the same login information for multiple accounts or logins, including your digital banking login, Southwest Financial strongly recommends that you change your digital banking username and password immediately.

Southwest Financial has received reports that someone pretending to be from the “Southwest Financial Fraud Department” is contacting our members.  These fraudsters are spoofing our phone number so the call appears to be coming from Southwest Financial, even though it is not.

These fraudsters proceed by stating that they are “inquiring about recent suspicious transactions on your account.”  These fraudsters are phishing for information and are good at gaining your trust.  In several instances, members have shared their personal information, login credentials, and one-time passcodes (OTP) with the fraudsters, allowing the fraudsters to take over their digital banking accounts. 

As a reminder, Southwest Financial will NEVER ask you for your personal or sensitive information, including social security number, username, password, or one-time passcode (OTP).  When you share your information, you are giving the fraudsters all the tools they need to access your account.

Should you receive a similar call thank them for calling and hang up.  Should you receive a similar text, do not respond or click the phone number link.  Contact us IMMEDIATELY. 

While your account at Southwest Financial is secure, there are a few additional steps that you can take to ensure that it remains secure.

• Safeguard Your Account Information: NEVER share your account information including username and password with anyone.
• Use Unique Usernames and Passwords: ALWAYS use a unique username and password for your most important accounts, especially your financial accounts.  We strongly encourage you to change your username and password if you use them for other logins.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for an additional layer of security.  Each time you log in, Southwest Financial will send you a One-Time Passcode (OTP) to either your cell phone or email on file.  If you choose to “remember your device”, you are bypassing a very important security measure.  Additionally, NEVER share this important authentication number with anyone.
• Utilize Account Alerts: Southwest Financial will automatically send you an alert whenever a security event is triggered.  These alerts happen in real-time, with very little delay.  Here are some examples of security events:  failed login attempt, username or password change, new remembered device added, or contact information updated.  These alerts are sent as the events are happening.  If you receive one of these alerts or a similar alert that you didn’t initiate notify us ASAP.  Alerts can be found under our Resource Center (or the “hamburger” menu in our mobile app) and Alert Settings.  Be sure to login to your account and enable alerts.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you receive any suspicious phone calls, texts or emails requesting personal information, do NOT respond or share your information.  Instead, contact us immediately!

Again, Southwest Financial will NEVER contact you via phone call, text, or email and ask you for your personal or sensitive information, including your social security number, username, or password.  If you have any questions regarding your account security, please don’t hesitate to contact our Member Loyalty Team.

Need to contact us? Text us at 214.613.0834