What You Need to Know About Phishing and Protecting Youself from Scams

At CCB, your security is our top priority. We work every day to safeguard your accounts with strong protections, but phishing scams don’t just target banks—they target customers directly. That’s why education is so important. By learning what phishing is and how to spot it, you can take simple steps to keep yourself, your family, and your finances safe.

What Is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of scam where criminals pretend to be someone you trust—like your bank, a government agency, a delivery service, or even a family member—to trick you into giving away personal or financial information.

They often reach out through:

  • Emails that look official but contain fake links.
  • Text messages (smishing) that create urgency (“Your account is locked, click here!”).
  • Phone calls (vishing) where someone pretends to be a bank employee.
  • Social media messages from fake accounts imitating real businesses or people.

Think of phishing as “fishing with fake bait”—scammers cast out messages, hoping you’ll “bite” by clicking a link, opening an attachment, or entering your private information.

Your security is our priority—but by knowing what phishing looks like, you can protect yourself too.

 5 Quick Signs of a Phishing Scam

  1. It looks urgent – “Act now or your account will be locked!”
  2. Unexpected links or attachments – Don’t click unless you’re 100% sure it’s safe.
  3. Strange sender details – The email address or phone number doesn’t match the real company.
  4. Too good to be true – Offers, prizes, or deals that seem unrealistic.
  5. Asking for personal info – A real bank will never ask for your password, PIN, or Social Security number through email, text, or social media.

 If you’re ever unsure, contact your local CCB branch directly using the numbers on our website.

Everyday Examples Our Customers Might See

Phishing doesn’t just happen in big companies or faraway places—it can happen in everyday life. Here are a few ways we’ve seen it show up for customers:

  • Fake Bank Texts: A message claims your “CCB account is locked” and asks you to click a link.
  • Email Invoice Scams: You get an email that looks like it’s from Amazon or PayPal saying you’ve been charged for something you didn’t buy, with a link to “dispute” the charge.
  • Delivery Service Messages: A text says “Your UPS/USPS package can’t be delivered, click here to update your address.”
  • Social Media Promotions: A fake Facebook or Instagram page impersonates a bank and offers “special low rates” or “giveaways.”
  • “Hi Mom/Hi Dad” Texts: A scammer pretends to be your child or grandchild with a new phone number, asking you to send money.

 Your security is our priority—but spotting these everyday tricks is the best first line of defense.

How Phishing Has Changed

Phishing used to be easy to spot—messages were full of spelling mistakes and odd email addresses. But today, scams are far more sophisticated:

  • Lookalike websites and emails nearly identical to the real thing.
  • Fake social media accounts designed to fool customers into sharing personal details.
  • QR codes that lead to fake login pages.
  • Urgent messages pushing you to act before you can think.
  • AI-generated voices and videos (deepfakes) that make it sound or look like someone you know.

 Your security is our priority—but education helps you stay one step ahead of these evolving scams.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are a few ways you can protect your information every day:

  • Pause before you click. Don’t click on links or open attachments you weren’t expecting.
  • Verify the source. If you’re unsure, call CCB your local CCB branch directly, not the one in a suspicious message.
  • Don’t share personal info. CCB will never ask you to provide your account number, Social Security number, or online banking password through email, text, or social media.
  • Check for the “https://” and padlock. Only enter login details on secure websites you know belong to your bank.
  • Be careful with urgency. Scammers rely on pressure—if it feels rushed, take a step back.

 Your security is our priority—but your awareness is your greatest protection.

CCB Is Here for You

Phishing scams may be getting smarter, but together we can stay ahead of them. If you ever receive a suspicious message claiming to be from CCB, do not click or reply. Instead, reach out to your local branch or call us directly at the numbers listed on countonccb.com.

At CCB, your financial safety comes first—because this is where community counts.