We are receiving increasing reports of bank impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as the Bank's "Fraud Department” and trick clients into sharing their online banking credentials or downloading remote-access software.
Ever.
If you receive a call claiming to be from American Riviera Bank about fraud on your account, hang up immediately and call us directly at 805‑965‑5942 — even if your Caller ID displays our name or phone number. Caller ID can be spoofed.
There are several active scam variations circulating right now. Here is what we are seeing most frequently:
The scam typically begins with a phone call that appears to come from American Riviera Bank. Scammers spoof the Bank’s phone number and pose as employees, claiming they are calling from ARB's Fraud Department. They may also name bankers you are familiar with to add legitimacy to the call.
They start by asking you to verify whether a specific transaction is legitimate, creating a sense of urgency and alarm. Once you confirm that the transaction is unauthorized, the scammer tells you that your account has been compromised and offers technical support.
Shortly afterward, you may receive a text message containing a link to a website, or the caller may provide the link verbally.
When you visit this site, you’re instructed to download software that gives the scammer full remote access to your device. With this access, they can observe your actions and guide you to log in to your online banking, capturing your credentials without your knowledge.
In another version of the scam, the process begins with a text asking you to verify your User ID or Company ID. A follow-up message may include a fake “new” username and claim you will receive an alert when the username update is complete. To appear more legitimate, scammers may even include an "opt out" option, mimicking real authentication messages.
Once they have your login credentials, the scammer calls again pretending to be from the Fraud Department and asks you for a security code—your One‑Time Password (OTP)—that was just sent to your phone. The Bank will never ask for your OTP. Scammers often manipulate Caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from American Riviera Bank, increasing the likelihood that clients will comply.
While speaking with you, the scammer is simultaneously attempting to log in to your online banking using the information they already captured. When you share your OTP, you unknowingly grant them full access. Once inside your account, they may change the phone number on file so future OTPs are sent to them instead of you. They may also set up new Zelle recipients to send money to accounts they control. For business accounts, scammers may create new wire or ACH recipients to initiate unauthorized transfers.
For additional tips on preventing fraud, please visit some of our related blogs.
Your quick action is crucial in safeguarding your money. If you notice any suspicious activity or have concerns, please contact us at 805-965-5942 immediately.
