HONOLULU (HI Now) - Central Pacific Bank shares tips to protect people from fraud
Scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot, but there are clear warning signs and steps the public can take to stay safe. Aaron Fernandez, Vice President and Interim Branch Banking Market Manager at Central Pacific Bank, recently shared insights on some of the latest fraud attempts and how customers can protect themselves.
“Unfortunately, scammers are out there 24/7, and their schemes are always evolving,” Fernandez said. “One of the most common today is the imposter scam, where fraudsters pretend to be someone you trust—like a government agency, a delivery company, a tech provider, or even your bank.”
According to Fernandez, these scammers create a false sense of urgency, often claiming there’s a problem with your account or that you owe money. Victims may be pressured to act immediately, sometimes by withdrawing cash, buying gift cards, or wiring money to another account. Many scammers even manipulate caller ID through “spoofing” to make their calls or texts appear legitimate.
“Remember, a bank will never call you and ask for your personal information or tell you to move money to a different account to ‘protect it,’” Fernandez emphasized.
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There are also several red flags the public should watch for. “Scammers thrive on pressure, they want you to panic, not think,” he noted. Any request for unusual payment methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, should immediately raise concern. Requests for sensitive personal information like passwords, PINs, or Social Security numbers are another telltale sign of fraud, especially if you didn’t initiate the contact. Poor grammar, spelling errors, or logos that look slightly off can also be giveaways.
Fernandez said Central Pacific Bank uses advanced fraud monitoring technology to help protect customers.
“We have tools like account alerts that notify you in real time if there’s suspicious activity on your debit or credit cards,” he explained. “But beyond technology, education is key. That’s why we do interviews like this and share fraud prevention tips on our social media channels, website, and directly with customers. An informed customer is our best defense.”
Fraudsters continue to reach out in different ways, from fake emails (“phishing”) to fraudulent text messages (“smishing”), pop-up ads, social media messages, and even counterfeit QR codes.
“Always be extremely cautious with unsolicited messages,” Fernandez advised. “If you receive a suspicious link or request, don’t click on it. Instead, go directly to the company’s official website to verify the information.”
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If someone believes they’ve been targeted, swift action is crucial. “Call your bank right away using the number printed on the back of your debit card or listed on the official website,” Fernandez said. “We can help secure your accounts and freeze cards if necessary.”
He added that individuals should also file a report with local police and the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
“Taking steps as soon as possible reduces the damage and may help protect others from the same scam.”
Ready to see how Central Pacific Bank can help you reach your financial goals? We got you – visit cpb.bank today!
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