Avoiding family emergency scams

By BanescoUSA
Published on April 22, 2021

Fraud Prevention

Scammers try to trick you into thinking a loved one is in trouble. They call, text, email, or send messages on social media about a supposed emergency with a family member or friend.

They’ll say they need cash to help with an emergency — like getting out of jail, paying a hospital bill, or needing to leave a foreign country. These imposters may insist that you keep quiet about their demand for money to keep you from checking out their story and identifying them as imposters. But no matter how real or urgent this seems — it’s a scam!

If you get a call or message like this, what to do?

• Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.
• Check it out before you act. Look up that friend or family’s phone number yourself. Call them or another family member to see what’s happening. Even if the person who contacted you told you not to.
• Don’t wire money or send a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier.
• Don’t give out your personal information unless you are certain the person and reason are legitimate. Remember your bank will never ask you to send your account number, Social Security number, or Tax ID over text, email, or online.
• Report possible fraud at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Remember to always contact Banesco USA to report any suspicious account activity or information security-related events.

To contact a Banesco USA Client Care Specialist, call toll-free from:
USA: 1-888-228-1597
Venezuela: 0-800-122-8226
Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM