ABA and America’s Banks Launch 4th Annual #BanksNeverAskThat Consumer Awareness Campaign

The American Bankers Association and banks across the country today launched the 4th annual #BanksNeverAskThat consumer protection campaign. With more than 2,000 participating banks, ABA’s #BanksNeverAskThat anti-phishing campaign has helped educate millions of bank customers and consumers across the country on how to spot common scams from bad actors posing as their bank.

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. In fact, a recent analysis from the Federal Trade Commission shows that bogus bank fraud warnings were the most reported scam to the agency last year, and consumers reported losing $330 million to text message scams in 2022, more than double what was reported in 2021.

“America’s banks have already reached millions of Americans with the #BanksNeverAskThat message, and this year will be our biggest yet,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. “We’ve got a host of compelling new educational content including resources for Spanish-speaking bank customers, so we can help even more consumers beat scammers at their own game.”

This year’s campaign – launching today in recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – includes an updated BanksNeverAskThat.com, a new interactive quiz for consumers, and a Spanish language website and content available at BancosNuncaPidenEso.com. ABA and participating banks will share videos, eye-catching graphics and consumer tips on social media, bank websites, ATM screens and bank branches across the country to help educate consumers.

“In addition to consumer awareness campaigns like #BanksNeverAskThat, the banking industry has ramped up anti-fraud efforts including increased behind-the-scenes security controls,” said Paul Benda, senior vice president, operational risk and cybersecurity at ABA. “Customers play an important role in protecting their accounts, and through this campaign we hope to raise awareness about common scams so we can turn the tables on the bad guys.”

Because cybersecurity education can often be dull and forgettable, the campaign is designed to be bright and bold with a bit of humor. For example, one of the campaign posts asks social media users “How early is too early for Pumpkin Spice? It's weird for your bank to ask your take on the pumpkin spice debate... almost as weird as banks asking for your PIN in a phone call—total scammer move. Tell us where you stand, then test your scam-spotting skills with the #BanksNeverAskThat quiz.”

The campaign’s short videos—available now with Spanish captions—offer similarly ridiculous scenarios like counting cash in a windstorm, wallpapering a room with cash, roasting marshmallows over a cash fire and recycling cash on garbage day. 

For more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters before they can take your money, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com or www.BancosNuncaPidenEso.com.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Videos, a b-roll montage, images and other creative assets are available. For access, please contact Sarah Grano at [email protected].

See below to view the campaign videos:

Open This: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgmEWW794vI&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbONkYRK1YnCsM5OBimGMwh

Garbage Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BsocBWpxK8&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbONkYRK1YnCsM5OBimGMwh&index=3

Windstorm: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQL3h_r84vA&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbONkYRK1YnCsM5OBimGMwh&index=4

Wallpaper: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a744aDspgQ&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbONkYRK1YnCsM5OBimGMwh&index=5

Campfire:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlSs6dRsh_A&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbONkYRK1YnCsM5OBimGMwh&index=6