April is Financial Literacy Month, and here at Partners Bank we think it’s a great time to take a closer look at the habits and tools that support your financial well-being. Over the next few weeks, we’ll cover four key topics that can help you plan for a better financial future.

1. Protecting your assets from scams and identity theft
2. Budgeting and saving
3. Understanding credit
4. Planning for the future

Tackling your financial health can be intimidating and stressful. But we’re going to start with a highly relevant topic – protecting yourself from fraudsters. Unfortunately, we deal with this every day. We’ve seen the scammers evolve and emerge with even more sophistication and we want you to be on the lookout for bad actors. By being aware of some common red flags, you can put you and your family on alert, thereby protecting your accounts.

Protection Comes First

You can budget carefully, save consistently, and plan thoughtfully but a single scam or instance of identity theft can disrupt all of your diligent planning. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the number of adults aged 60 and older who reported a loss of $10,000 or more from impostor scams alone more than quadrupled from 2020 through 2024.

Make Sure You’re Aware of Common Red Flags:

1. Unsolicited Contact: Be cautious of unexpected calls, emails, or messages from unknown sources.
2. Too Good to Be True Offers: If an opportunity promises high returns with little risk, it may be a scam.
3. Urgent Requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions.
4. Unusual Payment Methods: Requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers are common indicators of scams.
5. Lack of Transparency: If a person or organization is unwilling to provide clear information or documentation, it’s a red flag.

Most importantly, stay vigilant and trust your instincts when something feels off!

Some of the most common scams include:

• Phishing emails or texts that appear to come from trusted organizations
• Impersonation scams, where someone poses as a bank, government agency, or even a family member
• Fake payment requests, often creating urgency to push quick decisions

Protect Yourself – these habits can help:

• Be cautious with unsolicited messages asking for personal or financial information
• Avoid clicking links from unknown or unexpected sources
• Monitor your accounts regularly for unfamiliar activity
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where available

A Shared Responsibility

Although all financial institutions invest heavily in security, the best protection is preventing fraud from taking place. Staying informed and cautious is one of the most effective defenses.