Branson Bank cares about the protection of your personal financial information and provides the highest level of security for that information. We continue to implement and upgrade fraud prevention and security systems to help protect you with a combination of firewall barriers, encryption techniques and authentication procedures to maintain the security of your online banking activity and to protect accounts and systems from unauthorized access. If you detect any suspicious or unauthorized account activity, or believe your personal information, login credentials or computer security may have been compromised, please contact us immediately at 1-877-334-9696.
Please remember that Branson Bank will NEVER request your personal information (personal identification number (PIN) or password) by e-mail or by phone. If you ever receive an unsolicited phone call or email claiming to be from Branson Bank requesting your personal and confidential information, please DO NOT respond. Contact us immediately by calling 417-334-9696.
For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. Click on Active Alerts for new security and fraud alerts to help protect yourself against identity theft and other financial scams.
The Federal Trade Commission has information on protecting yourself from identity theft, visit Scams | Consumer Advice for more information.
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MAY is National Small Business Month. As a business owner, take the time to prepare and protect your business from fraud. Download and review the below handout or continue reading below about the types of Business Fraud currently impacting business owners.
PREPARE & PROTECT – BUSINESS FRAUD
Small businesses are frequent targets for scams because they often have limited staff, less formal processes, and fewer dedicated security resources.
Below are some of the most common scams to watch for.
Phishing & Email Spoofing: Scammers impersonate trusted contacts—vendors, banks, or even your own employees—using fake emails or hacked accounts. They might ask you to:
- Update payment info
- Click malicious links
- Send sensitive data (like payroll or tax info)
Red flag: Slightly altered email addresses or urgent, unusual requests.
Invoice & Billing Scams: You receive fake invoices for services you didn’t order (office supplies, directory listings, etc.). Some look very legitimate. Red flag: Charges for vague services or unfamiliar vendors.
Phishing: A more advanced version of phishing. A scammer pretends to be a CEO or manager and asks an employee to urgently transfer money or buy gift cards. Red flag: Pressure to act quickly and keep it confidential.
Business Email Compromise (BEC): Merchant’s email is compromised (or hacked) and used to send an invoice with updated payment instructions. Scammers count on information not being verified. The instructions go to their account instead of truly paying the merchant. Red flag: Updated payment instructions.
Fake Tech Support: Someone calls or emails claiming to be from a company like Microsoft or Apple, saying your system has a problem and needs immediate access or payment. Red flag: Unsolicited contact asking for remote access or payment.
Fake Check Scams: You receive a check (for overpayment or a “refund”), deposit it, and are asked to send some money back. The check later bounces. Red flag: Overpayments or instructions to return funds quickly.
Payroll Diversion Scams: An employee’s email is impersonated to request a change in direct deposit details, rerouting paychecks to scammers. Red flag: Sudden requests to update banking info without proper verification.
Loan or Grant Scams: Fraudsters pose as lenders or government programs offering easy loans or grants—sometimes impersonating agencies like the Small Business Administration. Red flag: Upfront fees or guarantees of approval.
Social Media Impersonation: Fake accounts mimic your business to trick customers or employees into sending money or information. Red flag: Duplicate accounts or unusual messages to customers.
Counterfeit/Fraudulent Checks: Checks can be stolen by mail and “washed” creating a new payee and dollar amount. Monitor your account daily. Set up automatic payments. If you are unable to, take checks to the Post Office, do not use blue mailboxes or boxes that have public access.
How to Protect Your Business:
- Train employees to verify unusual requests (especially money-related)
- Use multi-factor authentication on accounts
- All payment changes require independent verification
- Contact your vendor using the phone number on file – not information provided
- Do not process payments based solely on email instructions
- Keep software and security tools updated
- Establish clear internal procedures for financial transactions
Experiencing fraud or looking for more information?
Contact Branson Bank by Phone: (417) 334-9696 or Email: Fraud@bransonbank.com.
April 24, 2026 – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Scam
Scammers are at it again, using new twists on familiar tactics to try to steal your hard-earned money.
Be alert and don’t fall for it. Right now, scammers are pulling Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan details from public websites. These records can include business names, addresses, and the financial institution that issued the loan. With this information, they can easily contact you and pose as someone from your bank.
Here’s what to watch for:
Phone calls: Scammers can spoof phone numbers to make it look like your bank is calling. If you receive a call from someone you don’t recognize claiming to be from the bank, hang up and call the bank directly at (417) 334-9696. Ask to speak with the associate they mentioned.
Text messages with links: Branson Bank does not send text messages about fraud that include links. Scammers often create fake login pages that look real to capture your credentials. Never click on suspicious links.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) codes: Branson Bank will never ask for the 6-digit MFA code sent to you when logging in. This code is private. If you share it, a scammer can access your account.
This issue is affecting institutions across the country, not only our Bank.
January 28, 2026 – Debit Card Scam
Scammers are at it again. There is a current scam targeting debit card holders. Please be vigilant with your personal credentials such as debit card numbers, PIN and one-time passcodes. Branson Bank representatives will NEVER call, text or email you for this information.
Should anyone ask for your private information – by phone, text, email, or social media – it is a scam. If you receive a suspicious request, please hang up. Do not respond to their request. Contact the bank using the number on the back of your debit card. Your financial security is a priority at Branson Bank.
February 19, 2025
From the Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General, “Watch Out, Scammers Target Everyone.”
To read the full alert, click the button below
October 22, 2024
Given the recent events of Hurricane Helene and Milton, scammers see this as an opportunity to take advantage of consumer’s generosity. The IRS warns of scammers using fake charities to steal funds from consumers who think they’re donating to help hurricane victims.
Consumers should always be cautious when verifying authenticity of charities as well as the payment methods requested such as wire transfers and even gift cards. Danny Werfel, the IRS Commissioner, advises you to verify charities you want to donate to through at: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/search-for-tax-exempt-organizations.
The IRS also provides numerous online assistance to hurricane victims. One of those sites is: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/disaster-victim-resources-on-irsgov.
Protect your personal information, don’t disclose sensitive details, and if you feel pressured, don’t give in.
October 10, 2024
Skaggs Foundation Lunch & Learn Event – featuring Rebecca Mullen, AVP, Compliance Officer, sharing tips on how to protect and prevent fraud from affecting you and those you love.
If you would like to speak to Rebecca, you can contact her at:
Rebecca Mullen, AVP, Compliance Officer, BSA Officer, USA Patriot Act Officer, OFAC Officer
rmullen@bransonbank.com
To watch full video, click here: https://youtu.be/q61MDLCVZyo.
June 25, 2024
From the Office of Inspector General, FDIC, located in Arlington, Virginia:
What you need to know about a fast-growing scam known as “Pig Butchering.” This scam is named in reference to the practice of fattening a pig before slaughter. It is a type of confidence and investment fraud in which the victim is gradually lured into making increasing monetary contributions, generally in the form of cryptocurrency, to a seemingly sound investment before the scammer disappears with the contributed monies.
June 4, 2024
Text Messaging Scam Alert
Do not click on or respond to any text messages appearing to come from Branson Bank. Branson Bank will not contact you by text message concerning any transactions on your account. If you have already clicked on or responded to one of these texts, please call Branson Bank immediately at (417)334-9696. Remember to ALWAYS contact your financial institution before clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information such as name, phone number, address, date of birth, social security number, account number, or debit card number. Remember to NEVER give answers to your security questions to anyone and NEVER give out your Out Of Band Authentication code to anyone. These are important measures to secure your accounts from criminals.
Branson Bank has resources available at all locations. If you would like to have a copy of the Identity Theft Booklet, please stop by and pick one up.
