Blog

As we serve our neighbors across Oklahoma, we've seen a shift in the way criminals operate. At First Liberty Bank, we take your security seriously, but the most effective defense isn't just the technology we use behind the scenes; it's an informed community.

Lately, scams have become more personal and much harder to spot. To keep your accounts secure, it helps to understand the "why" behind these tactics and how you can take control of your financial safety.

The "Urgent" Call from the Bank

The most frequent threat we see today involves a phone call that appears to be from our bank. Because of a tactic called "spoofing," the caller ID on your phone may even say "First Liberty Bank." The person on the line sounds professional and tells you that an unauthorized charge is currently being processed on your account. They claim they are in the fraud department and need to act "now" to save your money.

Tech Tip: What is Spoofing?

You can't always trust your Caller ID. Scammers use software to make their number look exactly like ours, even if they are calling from across the globe. If you get a call that says "First Liberty Bank" but the person starts asking you to move money or give up a password, hang up.

• Why it works: This is a psychological play. By creating a sense of immediate crisis, scammers hope you'll skip your usual logical checks. When we feel our livelihood is at risk, we tend to follow instructions from someone who sounds like an authority figure.
• The Trap: They will ask you to "reverse" the charge by sending money to yourself via a payment app like Zelle or Venmo. They claim you are moving the funds to a "protected" digital wallet. In reality, you are sending your money directly to the criminal. Because you are the one authorizing the transaction, these funds are often impossible to recover once they leave your account.

The Marketplace Honesty Scam

Many of our customers enjoy buying and selling items on local digital marketplaces. Scammers often pose as buyers for items such as furniture or equipment. They might "accidentally" send you a check for more than the asking price or send a fake email confirmation claiming they overpaid.

Why it works: This tactic targets your integrity. If someone tells you they mistakenly sent an extra $100, your natural Oklahoma neighborliness makes you want to fix the error and send the "change" back.

The Trap: The original payment, whether by check or digital transfer, is fraudulent and will eventually be reversed. However, the money you send back is your own real cash. By the time the bank identifies the initial fraud, the scammer has already disappeared with your "refund."

Three Grounded Steps to Stay Safe

At First Liberty Bank, we want you to feel empowered. You don't need to be a tech expert to protect your account; you just need to remember these three rules:

1. The "Outbound" Rule: If you receive an unexpected call, text, or email from "the bank" asking for action, stop. Hang up. Find the number on the back of your actual First Liberty Bank debit card or your most recent paper statement. By calling us back directly, you ensure you are speaking with a real First Liberty Bank employee.
2. Take a "Security Pause": Scammers rely on speed. If a situation feels incredibly urgent, that is your biggest red flag. Take five minutes to step away from the phone and breathe. That small window of time allows the "panic response" to fade, making it much easier to see the holes in the scammer's story.
3. Know Our "Never" List:

• • We NEVER ask you to move your money to a "safe account," "digital vault," or any other account to "protect" it.
  • We NEVER ask for your full Online Banking password or your PIN.
  • We NEVER ask for the 6-digit security code texted to your phone (this code is for your eyes only).
  • We NEVER ask you to pay a fee or "verify your identity" using gift cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I use Zelle/Venmo to pay my grandkids and my lawn guy. Is that still safe for me to do?

Absolutely. Apps like Zelle and Venmo are perfectly safe for people you know and have met in person. The only time it becomes a 'red flag' is if someone you don't know, or someone claiming to be from the bank, asks you to use it as a 'security measure.' We will never ask you to move money to protect it.

If I hang up on a suspicious caller as you suggested, how do I know I'm reaching the real First Liberty Bank when I call back?

That's the best part: when you initiate the call using the number on the back of your debit card, you are in control. Scammers can 'mask' an incoming call to appear to be us, but they cannot intercept a call you make directly to our secure customer service line. If you dial the number on your card, you're talking to us, guaranteed.

What if I've already clicked a link or given out some info before I saw this? Is my money gone?

Not necessarily, but we need to act fast. Call us immediately or stop by the branch. We can instantly freeze your cards, change your online banking credentials, and put an 'alert' on your account to manually monitor for any unusual activity. The sooner we know, the more we can do to protect you.

I have an aunt who isn't on the internet to see these warnings. Is there a way I can help her stay safe?

We have a one-page 'Scam Defense' checklist your aunt can tape near her phone. It lists the 'Never' rules as a quick reference if she ever feels pressured on a call.

We're in this together. We provide the tools, but your awareness is the final lock on the door. If you ever have any questions about a call or transaction, please reach out to us directly at 405.608.4500. We are always here to help.