FTC Scam Alerts
For an up to date list of scams impacting consumers across the country and to sign-up for scam alert e-mails, we encourage you to visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Scam Alert site at: consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts
Scams Specific to F&M Bank
Fraudulent Text Message:
If you received a text message advising you that your F&M card has been disabled, please delete it immediately, it is a scam.
If you provided ANY information call us immediately at (800) 888-1498, M-F, 8am-6pm, PT, or visit your local branch.
Remember
F&M Bank will NEVER send you a text message or e-mail requesting that you text us, link to a website, or call us to provide your personal information such as your Credit Card Number, Online Banking ID, Passwords, or PINS. These are scams from criminals - don't be fooled. For more information visit the "Report Fraud" button on our homepage.
If you provided ANY information call us immediately at (800) 888-1498, M-F, 8am-6pm, PT, or visit your local branch.
Periodically, Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California's name may be used in fraudulent emails or text messages (phishing scams) sent out across the country, which may also be received by many of our customers. These fraudulent messages are an attempt to gather your confidential account information. This type of fraudulent activity is not unique to F&M Bank, and unfortunately is occurring with increased frequency.
Please be aware that F&M Bank will not initiate a request for your sensitive information (i.e., Social Security Number, Personal ID, Password, PIN or account number) via email, text, or phone call. If you receive an email, text, or phone call that requests this type of sensitive information, you should be suspicious of it. We strongly recommend that you do not share your confidential account information with anyone, under any circumstances.
Using the internet, criminals are "phishing" large numbers of recipients with fraudulent emails, without actual knowledge of their banking affiliation. They request and collect email addresses and other confidential information like card and account numbers, IDs and passwords. The criminals have copied the logos and the content styles of widely known and respected financial institutions such as F&M Bank and have created counterfeit websites, in an attempt to elicit a response from a recipient who may or may not be a customer of that financial institution.
The fraudulent emails referencing F&M Bank may display various Subject Lines including, but not limited to:
- $20 to your account - Just for your time!
- Please Update Your Account Access
- Dear Customer
- Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California
- *** Attention Internet Banking Customers ***
- We recently reviewed your account
- Validate your account!
- Notice (or Second Notice)
- Verification Procedure. Please read it carefully!
- Your account has been used for illegal issues!!!
- Member Satisfaction Survey
These emails are part of phishing scams and are not authentic correspondence from F&M Bank. When they occur, the appropriate authorities are notified and investigations are launched. Should you receive an email of this type, do not follow links contained within nor input any information in any online forms. "If you have already received a fraudulent email and you clicked on the link or entered any information, please contact F&M Bank immediately at (800) 888-1498, M-F, 8am-6pm, PT, or email us through our Contact Us page.
Please be aware our Online Banking site has not been compromised nor were our banking systems. These fraudulent emails are an attempt by criminals to gather confidential data from you. We recommend you visit the Identity Theft and Report Fraud links on our home page at www.fmbonline.com for valuable information about this and other types of criminal activity and how you can protect your confidential data from fraud.
Remember, F&M Bank uses the latest technology and state of the art equipment to ensure your privacy and the security of our systems. We will not ask you to disclose your passwords or your Credit Card, Debit Card, ATM Card numbers, PIN numbers, Online Banking login credentials nor should you ever reveal your confidential information to anyone.
Please call us directly at (800) 888-1498, M-F, 8am-6pm, PT, if you have any questions or if you have replied to a suspicious email or phone call.
Thank you for banking with F&M Bank.
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California
121 W. Pine Street
Lodi, CA 95240
Tel: (209) 367-2300, M-F, 8am-6pm, PT