Protect yourself from scams this holiday season

It's the merriest time of the year—but also the scammiest.
Keep your money safe and secure (and your season bright!) by protecting yourself from two scams that are common during the holidays—impersonator scams and mobile payment app scams.


Impersonator scams

A fraudster claiming to be from Think may call, text, or email you in an effort to trick you out of your personal information and hard-earned money.

Recognize phone impersonators

  • Don't rely on caller ID. Scammers can "spoof" Think's number so it looks like it is legitimate.
  • If you receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from Think and asking for your personal information, it's a scam.
  • There may be some cases where a Think employee calls you, but we will never threaten you or make you feel pressured about what could happen if you don't respond quickly.
  • If it doesn't feel right, hang up and call the 800 number on our website to ensure you're talking to a real Think employee.

Spot text and email impersonators

  • Think will never ask you to provide a PIN, password, social security number, account number or other personal information in a text or email.
  • You will only be contacted by Think via text if suspicious activity is detected on your debit card. In that scenario, we would ask you to respond with a simple "F" or "V" to verify transactions.

Mobile payment app scams

A fraudster will try to get you to send them money via Zelle, Venmo, or another payment app.

Be cautious when using payment apps

  • Think will never ask you to pay bills using a payment app or to send money to yourself.
  • Payment apps are just like handing cash to someone. 
  • Use them to pay friends and family only.
  • Don't send money to someone you don't know or have never met in person.

Keep your holiday season jolly by recognizing risks and avoiding scams!