Bank Warns Customers of Phony Scams

Citadele Bank is urging its customers to be vigilant against fraudulent schemes that aim to steal personal information and financial data.

Be Aware of the Risks

Scammers often pose as legitimate representatives from Citadele or other organizations, asking customers to provide sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and payment card details. The fraudsters may also claim to need urgent action taken on a customer’s account, creating a sense of urgency to prompt them into revealing their personal info.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Unsolicited requests for personal information
Urgent demands to take action on your account
Phony websites that look similar to Citadele’s official website
Suspicious emails or text messages asking you to download programs or install apps

How to Stay Safe Online

Always check the web address and domain name match Citadele’s official site
Never give out personal information over the phone, email, or social media unless you’re certain it’s a legitimate request
Keep your passwords and PIN codes confidential
Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts
Monitor your account statements regularly for any suspicious activity

What to Do If You’re Scammed

If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a scam, contact Citadele immediately at +371 6701 0000. The bank will block your payment card and online banking access to prevent further fraudulent activity.

In addition, customers are advised to notify the State Police and report any suspicious activity to help authorities track down scammers.

For Business Owners

Citadele also warns business owners to be cautious of scams that target company accounts. Scammers may pose as new or existing business partners, sending fake invoices for advance payments or claiming to need urgent changes to a company’s bank account information.

To protect your business, Citadele recommends:

Verifying all communication and document requests with official contact channels
Keeping sensitive information, such as bank account numbers and passwords, confidential
Using separate bank accounts for different financial activities
Introducing multi-step payment processes and enabling SMS notifications for transactions
Limiting the number of people informed about planned transactions

By following these tips, you can help prevent fraudulent activity and keep your personal and business finances safe.