Security Center
Online shopping can save you time and effort especially during the holiday season, but it's not without risks. Although shopping scams occur all year round, cyber threats tend to surge during the holiday season.
The most common holiday cyber threat is a phishing email. Consumers are expecting order and delivery confirmations, e-receipts, and flash sale emails. Scammers leverage these expectations by creating fake, yet highly convincing phishing emails that appear to come from the same large department stores and delivery services possibly used by the consumer - all to steal personally identifiable information.
Best practice is to NEVER click or enter information into an email that you are not expecting.
Every day, thousands of people provide confidential information via fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. Our goal is to provide you the resources and awareness to stay safe and secure online.
In addition to providing award winning financial products, services and personalized customer service, we are committed to protecting your account and data from the myriad of fraud and security threats. We have tips and tools to help you stay informed and help us protect yourself and your family.
The safekeeping of your financial security as well as the privacy of your sensitive data is at the forefront of what we do at Bank of the West. Check out the ways to Protect Your Money, Protect Your Technology and Protect Your Data.
Contact us to report:
Fraud or suspicious activity
1-800-488-2265
TTY 1-800-659-5495
Lost or stolen credit cards
1-800-996-2638
Suspicious Bank of the West emails
Contact Abuse
Protect Your Money
Social Engineering Staying Alert
A large-scale scam involving phony unemployment benefits claims has been making headlines.
Scammers know millions of people use online dating services. They are there too, hiding behind fake profiles.
Protect Your Tech
Protect Your Data
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
How to Protect Your Personal Info
Attack Spotlight Shipping Notifications
FTC Consumer Information Holiday Scams
FBI Holiday Scams Shop Smartly
Test your knowledge Can you outsmart online scammers? #BanksNeverAskThat campaign -“www.banksneveraskthat.com"
FTC- How to protect your phone and the data on it
FTC- Helping your kids protect their identities on line
Helpful reminders in light of recent cyber events
Latest Security News
Many banks' names, including Bank of the West, are being used by fraudsters in fraud attempts. For example, you may receive a call that appears to be from a Bank phone number asking for personal account information, including your username, password, account numbers, debit card information, etc.
Please remember we will NEVER ask you for your password. The criminals making these calls may provide fake details about potential fraud on your account to trick you into giving additional information about your account(s). Their goal is to gather enough personal information to commit actual fraud on your account.
If you receive one of these calls, please do not provide any personal information. Immediately call the Bank of the West Contact Center at (800) 488-2265, option 3 (TTY 1-800-659-5495).
Protect Your Credit & Identity
STUDY YOUR STATEMENTS
LOOK FOR NEW ACCOUNTS
Be sure to request your Free Annual Credit and Debt Bureau Reports and look for recent accounts that might have opened or credit used without your knowledge.
If you see errors, report it and have an Identity theft alert put on your account.
REOCCURING SUBSCRIPTIONS
Check to make sure you didn't sign up for a reoccurring subscription vs a one time order. Some businesses lure you in with low cost initial order that is tied to a subscription plan.
AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM
GIFT CARD PAYMENT FRAUD
If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away. When you contact the company, tell them the gift card was used in a scam. Ask them if money is still on the card, and if they can refund your money. If you act quickly enough, the company might be able to get your money back.
Report unauthorized activity on your Bank of the West accounts: 1-800-488-2265 TTY 1-800-659-5495
Mon-Fri, 4a.m.-10p.m. PT; Sat, Sun, & most holidays 5a.m.-10p.m. PT
Mon-Fri, 4a.m.-10p.m. PT; Sat, Sun, & most holidays 5a.m.-10p.m. PT
Integrity Hotline
1-866-921-6714
TTY 1-888-843-0394
To preserve our customer's trust and confidence, complete honesty and integrity is required in conducting our business. The Bank's Integrity Hotline is a confidential, independent, third-party reporting channel for Bank customers, vendors, and suppliers.
If you have concerns related to potential employee fraud or misconduct you may report it anonymously via the Integrity Hotline.
Please note that this line is only for external parties, as there is a separate line for employee reports. Employees may find more information in the Integrity Hotline Policy on WebWest.
HOW TO HANDLE SUSPICIOUS REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION
If you receive suspicious Bank of the West emails, calls or texts (phishes, smishes or vishes), do not give out any account or personal information. Report them immediately to abuse@bankofthewest.com, and delete the correspondence. These fraudulent messages can include emails, texts, and/or calls that appear to be from Bank of the West. It is always best to not respond and contact us via channels you trust.
SUCCESS STORIES
FTC Reaches Settlements with companies' deceptive practices
#WECARE
Bank of the West employees assist customers to avoid financial loss
Bankers in our L.A. North Region prevented a six figure loss.
Bankers in our Southern AZ-NM Region, prevented a loss of several thousand dollars.
Help protect yourself with these reminders:
Fraudsters will often promise to pay customers large sums of money for helping them move funds to another account. Moving money for someone you don't know is illegal and can place your own bank accounts at risk.
Amazon, Microsoft, and the Internal Revenue Service will never call or email you asking for money. Only fraudsters pretending to work for these companies will ask for money in this way.
Policy Resources
Policies