Tips and Resources

Keep your accounts safe from fraud and scams

Family Emergency Scams 

Here’s how it works: You get a call, text, or message from someone claiming to be a loved one in trouble. Maybe it’s your grandchild, niece, nephew, or even a close family friend. They say they’re in an emergency and need money right away. To make the story sound real, they may even have someone pose as a lawyer, doctor, or police officer. The scammer will pressure you to act quickly—and keep it secret from the rest of your family.

By the time you realize it wasn’t really your loved one, the money is long gone.

How to Spot a Family Emergency Scam

Scammers know how to play on your emotions. They may even research you or your family online to make their story more convincing. Watch out for these red flags:

• The caller or sender says it’s urgent and that you’re the only one who can help.
• An “authority figure” (fake lawyer, doctor, or officer) joins in to add pressure.
• They insist you keep it secret and not tell other family members.
• They demand quick payment—often by gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or money order.

What To Do If You Get One of These Calls or Messages

• Pause before reacting. Don’t send money right away.
• Verify the story. Hang up and call your loved one directly using a number you know is real.
• Check with someone you trust. Even if you’re told to keep it secret, talk to another family member or friend.
• Never send cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfers. These are scammers’ favorite tools because the money disappears quickly.
• Report it. If you suspect fraud, visit ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Digital Banking Platform Update: We have identified a rising fraud trend where criminals use sophisticated social engineering tactics to steal banking credentials. Once inside digital banking, they exploit a feature to raise debit card and ATM card withdrawal limits, allowing large unauthorized transactions.

To protect your accounts and safeguard our institution, we have disabled this feature for all customers. We recognize this change may cause some inconvenience, but your security is our highest priority.

If you need to temporarily increase your debit card/ATM card withdrawal limit, please contact us during regular business hours, Monday through Saturday, at 845-331-0073. Our team will be happy to assist you.

Protect Your Information

If you receive a suspicious or unwarranted call or text claiming to be Rondout Savings Bank – regardless of how legitimate it appears – do not respond to it or give out any of your personal information and call us directly at 845-331-0073 to report it.

We will never call or text to ask for your account information and do not send text messages with links. If you receive a text claiming to be from us do not respond or click on any links.