An important warning from the FDIC: Scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to commit fraud by posing as representatives of the agency.

“During these unprecedented times consumers may receive false information regarding the security of their deposits or their ability to access cash,” the FDIC announced in a press release last week. “The FDIC does not send unsolicited correspondence asking for money or sensitive personal information. The agency will never contact people asking for personal details, such as bank account information, credit and debit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords.”

The press release adds: “Consumers may also be contacted by persons who claim to be employed by an agency, bank, or another entity. These scams may involve a variety of communication channels, including emails, phone calls, letters, text messages, faxes, and social media. Scammers might also ask for personal information such as bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and other details that can be used to commit fraud or sell a person’s identity. Consumers should not provide this information.”

Be aware of these scams in case a customer gets in touch with questions about their FDIC-protected accounts. The agency reminds us that FDIC-insured bank accounts remain the safest place for consumers to keep their money — since its founding in 1933, “no depositor has ever lost a penny of FDIC-insured funds.” Customers who believe they might have been contacted by a scammer can contact the FDIC at 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342). Additional resources are available at the link to the press release.