America’s banks join forces in coordinated, industry-wide campaign to protect consumers during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
First Community Bank joined the American Bankers Association again 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 $5.8 billion to phishing and other fraud in 2021, an increase of more than 70% compared to 2020. To combat phishing, the #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.
“This will First Community Bank’s third year participating in this campaign,” said Jennifer Wyatt, vice president, information security risk officer for First Community Bank. “I believe it is incredibly important for us as an institution to continue to educate our customers, communities and employees on how to spot phishing scams and fraudulent bank communications.”
“Phishing attempts are at an all-time high, and scammers are targeting consumers from every direction—by text, phone and email,” said Paul Benda, senior vice president, operational risk and cybersecurity at ABA. “Education and awareness are key to helping consumers spot a scam, and with help from participating banks like First Community Bank, we’re able to reach bank customers across the country so they can stay one step ahead of the scammers.”
 First Community Bank, along with more than 1,000 banks from across the U.S. and ABA, are kicking off this year’s updated campaign on Oct. 3 to mark the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout the month, First Community Bank will share eye-catching and engaging short videos, animated GIFs and consumer tips on social media created to highlight common phishing schemes. Because cybersecurity education and fraud awareness can often be dull and forgettable to many consumers, the campaign is designed to be bright and bold with a bit of comedy.
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. Consumers are directed to BanksNeverAskThat.com where they will find an interactive game, videos, phishing red flags, tips and FAQs.
 For more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters in their tracks, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com.