What Cybercriminals Want and What We'll Never Ask For

Why investment scams are increasing

As more people explore investing—whether through apps, online platforms or new asset classes—opportunities grow. Unfortunately, the opportunities for scammers do too.

Investing has never been more accessible. But with that convenience comes a shift. Scams are evolving just as quickly as the tools we use and there are a few factors driving this trend.

• Money moves faster than ever—and scammers take advantage of speed.
• Digital platforms and social media make it easier to reach people directly.
• Interest in newer spaces like cryptocurrency has created unfamiliar territory for many investors.

It’s also worth noting that periods of change—like industry shifts, new services or mergers—often bring increased communication. And when communication increases, scammers sometimes try to blend in.

The takeaway isn’t to be worried. It’s simply to be aware.

The pattern behind most scams

While scams can look different on the surface, most follow a similar playbook. Recognizing this pattern is one of the most powerful ways you can protect yourself.

Urgency

Scammers often push for quick action:

• “Act now!”
• “Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity.”
• “Your account is at risk!”

The goal is to rush you, so you feel pressured to make a quick decision without thinking—no time to pause or verify.

Fear or excitement

Scams tend to trigger strong emotions:

• Fear: losing money, missing out, account security concerns or financial loss
• Excitement: “guaranteed” returns, insider access or once-in-a-lifetime opportunities

When emotions are high, decision-making becomes harder. That’s exactly what scammers rely on.

Request for sensitive information

At some point, the ask comes:

• Login credentials
• Verification codes
• Personal or financial details
• Requests to move money quickly to “protect” it

These requests may sound reasonable in the moment—but they’re a major red flag.

Unusual payment methods

Scammers often steer transactions toward methods that are difficult to trace or reverse:

• Cryptocurrency
• Wire transfers
• Gift cards
• Peer-to-peer payment apps: Cash App, PayPal and TransferNow

Once money is sent this way, it can be very hard to recover.

Tip for outsmarting the scammers: If it feels rushed, emotional and asks for sensitive info—that’s your cue to pause.

Why scammers push crypto and bitcoin

Cryptocurrency has opened new doors for investors—and, increasingly, for scammers. Often, the scam doesn’t start with an investment pitch at all. It starts with a connection.

Scammers may take time to slowly build trust before introducing a “great opportunity.” As interest in crypto grows, these scams have become more polished, but the tactics behind them are all too familiar.

• Fake investment platforms that mimic legitimate ones
• Unexpected messages from new “friends” on social media
• Unsolicited texts, emails or calls offering opportunities
• Conversations that begin on dating sites and shift to investments
• Impersonation of financial advisors or well-known companies
• Promises of fast, high or guaranteed returns with little to no risk

Important reminders for steering clear of the scammers:

• Legitimate investments don’t guarantee profits.
• Requests to send crypto quickly are a significant red flag.
• If the opportunity sounds too good to be true, it’s worth taking a closer look.

Why moments of change can attract scammers

During times of transition—like system updates, new services or mergers—you may naturally expect:

• More emails or notifications
• Updated logos or branding
• New types of communication

Scammers are aware of this increased activity, and they may try to imitate legitimate messages to blend in.

Our commitment is simple: secure, transparent, easy to verify communication and ongoing education. We want you to feel confident recognizing what’s real.

What scammers will ask that your bank won’t

Knowing what won’t happen is just as important as knowing what might. Learn what scammers are after and the key things your bank will never ask. 

• Passwords or PINs
• One-time verification codes
• Full account access through email, text or unsolicited calls
• Immediate transfers to “secure” funds or unfamiliar accounts

If you ever receive a request like this, it’s a strong signal to stop and verify.

Simple, practical tips to protect yourself (that bear repeating)

Staying safe doesn’t require you to be a technical genius—just capable of keeping up a few consistent habits.

• Pause before acting on urgent or unexpected requests.
• Verify independently by contacting your bank directly through official channels.
• Avoid clicking unexpected links or downloading unfamiliar attachments.
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication (MFA).
• Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it’s worth checking.

These small steps can make a big difference. Knowledge truly is power when it comes to outsmarting scams.

What to do if something doesn’t feel right

If a message, call or request makes you uneasy, know that you’re not alone. We’re here to help figure it out.

• Contact us at Associated Bank immediately using a trusted phone number—such as the one on the back of your debit or credit card.
• Don’t engage further with the suspicious message.
• Act quickly to help limit potential impact.

Reaching out early is always the right move. And reporting concerns not only protects you—it helps protect other customers too.

Moving forward with confidence over fear

Scams rely on reaction. Your awareness is your advantage.

You don’t need to memorize every new tactic or trend. You just need to recognize the patterns. And now, you do.

Be calm, pause and take time to verify. With that approach, you’re already ahead of the scammers.

Associated Bank has your back. We’re here to support you every step of the way by helping you to be more informed, more prepared and more confident in your financial decisions.

If you ever have questions or concerns, contact us directly or visit our Security Help page for more stay-safe guidance and resources.