Spot the red flags

How to Avoid Text Message Scams This Holiday Season

Holiday shopping is in full swing—which means scammers are working overtime too.

Recently, a Primis customer shared a scam attempt that started with a fake “fraud alert” text about a transaction she didn’t recognize. Moments later, she received a call from someone pretending to be from the bank. Thankfully, she spotted a small but critical red flag: an out-of-place “@” symbol in the store name given in the text. That clue helped her avoid becoming a victim.

These scams are becoming more sophisticated, but there are still tell-tale signs that something’s off. Here are a few red flags to watch for this season—and all year long.

🚩 1. Weird Characters or Typos in the Store Name

Legitimate fraud alerts will list merchant names accurately.
If you see odd symbols, misspellings, or formatting issues—like a random “@” or extra punctuation—stop and take a closer look. Scammers often spoof messages quickly, and sloppy details can give them away.

🚩 2. Links That Don’t Look Right

If the text includes a link, don’t tap it. Fake links may look almost correct but usually include extra numbers, odd characters, or unfamiliar domains. Primis will never ask you to click a link to verify your card number or account info.

🚩 3. Pressure to Act Immediately

“Reply NOW or your card will be locked!” Scammers want you to panic so you don’t think things through. Real fraud alerts will never threaten or pressure you into handing over information.

🚩 4. A Follow-Up Call That Feels “Off”

Fraudsters often text first, then call pretending to be your bank.
If the caller asks for:

• Your full card number
• Your PIN
• Online banking credentials
• One-time passcodes

…it’s a scam. Primis will never ask for that information over the phone.

🚩 5. It Doesn’t Match Your Real Alerts

If you’re enrolled in Primis debit or credit card alerts, you’ll receive them from the same short code or phone number each time. A message from a new number—or one that doesn’t match your usual alert format—is a red flag.

What to Do if You Suspect a Scam

If something feels off, trust your gut. Here’s what to do:

• Don’t reply, click links, or share information.
• Call us directly at our Customer Care Center: 833.477.4647.
• Check your mobile banking app to confirm whether a transaction is real.
• Delete and report the message so we can help protect other customers.

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The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.