Financial scams come in many forms—phony sweepstakes, emails pretending to be from banks, or urgent messages from “loved ones” asking for money. These schemes are common but usually contain clear warning signs. From suspicious grammar to odd requests, something usually feels “off.” 

“Customers often come to us with questions about whether or not a financial request or message is legitimate,” says Sandra Rodriguez, a branch manager at Sunrise Banks Off Site Link. “By listening, being patient and asking a few open-ended questions, we can help them slow down and identify those red flags.” 

If you receive a suspicious financial message, keep the following tips in mind:

Look for Small Inconsistencies

Scammers are often careless. A bank based in Minnesota—like Sunrise Banks—will typically have a local area code, such as 651. If you get a message from someone claiming to be from the bank but using an out-of-state phone number, that’s a red flag. 

Other inconsistencies to watch for include slight changes in names and addresses. For example, Sunrise Banks would never identify itself as “Sunrise Bank” without the “s.” Always verify that details match the real institution’s contact information.

Bad Grammar is a Red Flag

Misspellings, odd punctuation, and awkward phrasing often point to financial scams. Examples include: 

• Hyphenated words like “co-llateral” instead of “collateral” 

• Random capitalization: “Your business is So important to Us” 

• Missing commas in amounts: “a free $2000 gift card” instead of “$2,000” 

Professional financial institutions proofread communications carefully. Sloppy writing should raise doubts.

Your Bank Shouldn’t Ask for That

Banks are highly regulated and won’t ask for sensitive information via email or text. If a message requests details like your: 

• Account, credit card or PIN number 

• Social Security Number 

• Birthdate 

• Address 

• Peer-to-peer payment info (Venmo, PayPal, etc.) 

…it’s likely a scam. These messages often use pressure tactics or threats to get a quick response. A reputable bank like Sunrise Banks will never use fear to demand action. 

Also, government agencies like the FBI won’t randomly contact you about financial crimes if you’ve done nothing wrong. Be cautious if the message includes urgent legal threats.

No Application, No Loan

You can’t be approved for a loan you didn’t apply for. If you receive a surprise loan approval – especially via email or text – it’s almost certainly a scam. 

At Sunrise Banks, legitimate approvals follow an application. While online applications may receive conditional approval via email, any unsolicited approval should be verified directly with the bank. 

Still Not Sure? 

If something feels off, bring it to your bank’s attention. At Sunrise Banks, we’re happy to review any suspicious requests with you. Your vigilance helps protect not only your money, but also our broader customer community. 

Visit one of our local branches or check out more fraud prevention resources at:
www.sunrisebanks.com/resources/security-center/.

Member FDIC.