America’s banks join forces in coordinated, industry-wide campaign to protect consumers during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Oak Ridge, N.J. – October 2, 2023 – Lakeland Bank has joined the American Bankers Association (ABA) and banks across the nation to promote an industry-wide campaign educating consumers about the persistent threat of phishing scams. The FTC estimates that consumers lost $8.8 billion to phishing and other fraud in 2022, an increase of more than 65% compared to 2021. To combat phishing, the award winning #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.
“We are proud to partner with the ABA once again to promote the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign, especially during the month of October to recognize National Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” said Jim Nigro, Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, “We want to ensure our customers are aware of the latest scams out there that criminals are performing and provide tips to help them protect their personal and financial information.”
“By impersonating a bank, a scammer can steal thousands of dollars with just one text message, phone call or email,” said Paul Benda, senior vice president, operational risk and cybersecurity at ABA. “With the strong support of participating banks like Lakeland Bank, the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign seeks to turn the tables by arming consumers with the information they need to outsmart the scammers and protect their money.”
Lakeland Bank, along with banks from across the U.S., will join forces with ABA to kick off this year’s updated campaign on October 2 to mark the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout the month Lakeland will share engaging short videos, animated GIFs and consumer tips on social media and in bank branches designed to highlight common phishing schemes. Because cybersecurity education and fraud awareness can often be dull and forgettable to many consumers, the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign is designed to be bright and bold with a bit of comedy.
“Would you rather give up sugar or salt?,” one of the campaign’s social media posts asks users. “Banks texting you about sweet vs savory would be just as weird as banks texting you a link to login, ‘cause #BanksNeverAskThat.”
The campaign’s short videos offer similarly ridiculous scenarios like wallpapering a room with cash, roasting marshmallows over a cash fire and recycling cash on garbage day to remind people they stand to lose real money if they aren't vigilant. Consumers are directed to BanksNeverAskThat.com where they will find a new interactive quiz, the "Scam City" video game, engaging videos, and tips on how to spot phishing scams. This year, the campaign is also offering a Spanish language version of the website, BancosNuncaPidenEso.com, and providing a host of other #BanksNeverAskThat consumer resources in Spanish.
For more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters in their tracks, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com.
LakelandBank.com is a good resource for information on this topic and recently posted the blog The Questions Your Bank Will Never Ask You.
About Lakeland Bank
Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which has over $10 billion in total assets. With an extensive branch network and commercial lending centers throughout New Jersey and Highland Mills, N.Y., the Bank has been offering business and retail banking products and services for over 50 years. Business services include commercial loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, loans for healthcare services, asset-based lending, equipment financing, small business loans and lines, and cash management services. Consumer services include online and mobile banking, home equity loans and lines, mortgage options and wealth management solutions. Lakeland is proud to be recognized as a Best-In-State Bank by Forbes and Statista for the fifth consecutive year, named a Best Bank To Work For by American Banker and Best Companies Group, rated a 5-Star Bank by Bauer Financial and named one of New Jersey’s 50 Fastest Growing Companies by NJBIZ. Visit LakelandBank.com for more information.