Security Center
Your personal information is a valuable commodity. It's not only the key to your financial identity, but also to your online identity. Knowing how to protect your information — and your identity — is a must in the 21st century. The most common types of identity theft result from phishing (email, text) and vishing (phone calls).
Every day, people provide personal confidential information via fraudulent emails, texts and phone calls to scammers pretending to be a trusted entity attempting to steal their user data including login credentials and credit card numbers. Our goal is to provide you the resources and awareness to stay safe and secure online. A best practice is to NEVER click or enter information into an email or text that you are not expecting. If you are unsure about an e-mail or hyperlink, type the companies' URL address into your web browser instead of clicking on the link. If you receive a suspicious call, email or text message from BOW, or provided your banking information in response to a fraudulent inquiry, contact us to report it at 1-800-488-2265 TTY 1-800-659-5495.
Criminals also love when consumers re-use their passwords on multiple websites and services. If one is compromised, they will attempt to re-use that password elsewhere. Always use a unique and complex password, particularly for critical services like your financial accounts, cell phone service, and e-mail. If you have the option to use multi-factor authentication, opt in!
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 that exist.
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 below.
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
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Latest Security News
Scammers use phone calls, email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information. 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, PIN or OTP code.
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 impersonate you to the Bank, and commit actual fraud. If you receive one of these calls, please do not provide any personal information, write down the number you received the suspicious call from, and 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
NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK
National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a time to help people understand their consumer rights and make well-informed decisions about money. At Bank of the West, we continue to share education on varying topics to encourage data protection and awareness.
Learn more on how you can protect yourself.
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