ABA, America’s Banks Launch Two Major Consumer Protection Initiatives: #PracticeSafeChecks and #BanksNeverAskThat

The American Bankers Association joined by banks across the country today launched two major consumer protection initiatives to combat the growing threat of fraud and scams. ABA’s award-winning #BanksNeverAskThat anti-phishing campaign, which has educated millions of bank customers about common scams from bad actors posing as their bank, will return for its fifth year. ABA is also introducing a new companion campaign to address the resurgence of check fraud. The new #PracticeSafeChecks campaign educates consumers on how to use checks safely, while encouraging them to pay digitally whenever possible.

“Every day, criminals relentlessly target bank customers with a variety of sophisticated scams, and fraud continues to pose a serious challenge to banks of all sizes,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. “Through industry-wide initiatives like the #BanksNeverAskThat and #PracticeSafeChecks campaigns, ABA and banks are arming customers with the tools they need to fight back.”

Despite a significant decrease in check usage, reports of check fraud have nearly doubled since 2021, according to a 2023 report from the Boston Fed, and those numbers continue to climb. Much of that fraud is attributed to criminal gangs that are targeting the U.S. mail to steal checks, wash and alter them, and ultimately steal money from banks and their customers. 

The #PracticeSafeChecks website, www.PracticeSafeChecks.com, is the heart of the new campaign and provides practical tips for consumers on how to protect themselves from check fraud, while encouraging them to use their bank’s digital banking options to send money whenever possible. Also available in Spanish at www.CuidaTusCheques.com, the website details how personal information can be exposed in a check if consumers aren’t careful, explains how criminals and scammers execute check fraud and offers an airline-safety themed, comprehensive #PracticeSafeChecks guide. 

The campaign also features two new #PracticeSafeChecks educational videos designed to engage consumers. One video offers a fun twist on airline safety briefings and the other uses a giant check to emphasize the potential vulnerabilities of using checks if not careful.

Similarly, the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign uses humor to grab consumers’ attention and offers tips and resources to help bank customers protect themselves from the most prevalent phishing scams targeting Americans. Since the campaign launched in 2020, ABA and more than 2,300 participating banks have achieved impressive results, including over 21 million impressions from social media and digital ads and nearly one million unique visits to the campaign website www.BanksNeverAskThat.com. This year’s refreshed #BanksNeverAskThat campaign includes two new videos, an updated online quiz and offers a Spanish-language website available at www.BancosNuncaPidenEso.com. All of the content is designed to remind consumers that their bank will never ask for their password, pin or other sensitive information unsolicited. 

Both campaigns launched today in recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout October and beyond, 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. ABA provides all of the campaign content and resources free of charge to participating banks who then decide how best to use the materials in their local markets. ABA members and non-members are encouraged to participate. 

For more information about phishing scams and how to stop scammers, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com or www.BancosNuncaPidenEso.com. To learn more about check fraud and how consumers can protect themselves, visit www.PracticeSafeChecks.com or www.CuidaTusCheques.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 #PracticeSafeChecks videos:

• Practice Safe Checks: Your In-Flight Guide
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdfryiUFBbA&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbsjacDTeCBETlikiqLb_Hd&index=1 
• Why Isn’t Every Check a Giant Check?
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EqeEq4LjUI&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbsjacDTeCBETlikiqLb_Hd&index=2 
• Cuida Tus Cheques: Tu guía a bordo (Spanish subtitles)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgNotRMWu1g&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDZvzTcYsY1BdXNYXnY06iE6&index=1
• ¿Por qué no todos los cheques son cheques gigantes? (Spanish subtitles)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1JikX7XTzM&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDZvzTcYsY1BdXNYXnY06iE6&index=2 

See below to view the #BanksNeverAskThat videos: 

• Awkward Date Alert: When He Asks for Your PIN Instead of a Second Date!
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjq_SB6Ekk4&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbONkYRK1YnCsM5OBimGMwh&index=1
• Scam Spoilers: The Plot You Don’t Want to Miss!
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ALFSJ1gz3k&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbONkYRK1YnCsM5OBimGMwh&index=2
• ¡Alerta de Cita Extraña: Cuando Él Te Pide Tu PIN en Lugar de una Segunda Cita! (Spanish subtitles)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3KwG3lkGPM&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDZdMyzkjRQndzPI-BOss8R8&index=1
• Spoilers de estafas: ¡La trama que no te quieres perder! (Spanish subtitles)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-mnY1KvpKM&list=PLYSoo_tW6lDZdMyzkjRQndzPI-BOss8R8&index=2

#BanksNeverAskThat Full Playlist (English): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYSoo_tW6lDbONkYRK1YnCsM5OBimGMwh

#BanksNeverAskThat Full Playlist (Spanish subtitles): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYSoo_tW6lDZdMyzkjRQndzPI-BOss8R8