Digital Payments

Use of digital payments are on the rise.  With the increase in online payments through payment apps, wires, and other methods, there is also an increase in scams and fraud.

One of the best ways to protect yourself is to only send money to people you trust.

Here are steps you can take to protect your accounts and your money:

  1. Protect your information. Keep your security settings updated.  Enable multifactor authentication for any accounts or services you use that support it.  Guard your card and account PIN/passwords. 
  2. Use strong passwords. DO NOT use the same password/passphrase for every site. Utilize a password manager, if needed.  DO NOT share your passwords with anyone!
  3. Set your account alerts. TBT offers balance and transaction alerts to better help you manage your money.  Contact us immediately if you suspect unauthorized activity.
  4. Stay vigilant! Steer clear of phishing!  If you receive a suspicious call, email or text, DO NOT disclose your personal information (name, account number, PIN, password, etc.) until you verify it is from a legitimate source.  If you have any doubt, contact the bank and/or company directly.  Beware of clicking links in emails and texts. 
  5. DO NOT share personal details online: Avoid sharing your location, home address, phone number and other personal information across social media. Check your settings and permissions on each social platform, and activate any additional security features available. Also, DO NOT accept friend/connection requests from people you don’t know.

For more information on digital payments safety, check out these articles from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB):

Helpful Tips for Using Mobile Payments Services and Avoiding Risky Mistakes
Tips on Using Peer-to-Peer Payment Systems and Apps
How to Keep Your Personal Information Secure Online


Check out Zelle's® Resources and Tips for Safe Payments


Be Aware of these Scams:

  • Pay yourself – Scammers contact you impersonating an individual/company you know and tell you about suspicious activity, such as money being sent from your account to another account. They want you to send money to yourself using your mobile app or online wire transfer to reverse the payment. 
  • Impersonating a Texas Bank and Trust associate – Scammers contact you, posing as a TBT employee, claiming your account is compromised and trying to convince you to provide your digital banking credentials. Hang up and contact TBT directly at 1.800.263.7013
  • Utility Scam – Scammers pretend to be utility workers. They try to pressure you to make a payment because your bill is late and service will be disconnected.  Utility companies will NOT pressure you to making a payment through an online payment service.  Contact your utility company directly.