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We're Here to Help You
If you suspect fraud on your account, call the number on the back of your MAX card.
Monitor your accounts anytime with online banking and the MAX app.
Set up card controls to get instant alerts whenever your card is used.
Remind yourself to Pause. Think. Verify. before acting on requests for personal information or account details.
MAX Security Center
Find more fraud tips to spot and stop fraud and scams in the MAX Security Center.
Sign up for weekly tips delivered straight to your inbox.
LOOK FOR THESE RED FLAGS
• Prices that seem far below typical holiday sales
• No contact information or vague “support” emails
• Misspellings or low-quality images on the site
• No lock symbol or “https” in the URL at checkout
• No contact information or vague “support” emails
• Misspellings or low-quality images on the site
• No lock symbol or “https” in the URL at checkout
PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE
Phishing is at an all-time high
Look out for emails or texts claiming to be from delivery companies, streaming services, or banks. Avoid clicking links you didn’t expect to receive. Never share your personal or account information in response to unexpected texts, emails, or calls.
Look out for emails or texts claiming to be from delivery companies, streaming services, or banks. Avoid clicking links you didn’t expect to receive. Never share your personal or account information in response to unexpected texts, emails, or calls.
Protect your accounts
Enable two-factor authentication, use strong unique passwords, and avoid reusing login details across sites. If you suspect any of your accounts have been hacked, immediately change your passwords.
Enable two-factor authentication, use strong unique passwords, and avoid reusing login details across sites. If you suspect any of your accounts have been hacked, immediately change your passwords.
Don't shop while on public Wi-Fi
Public networks make it easy for scammers to grab your information. Stick to secure, private connections.
Public networks make it easy for scammers to grab your information. Stick to secure, private connections.
Watch out for fake online stores
Scammers create realistic-looking storefronts with holiday sales. Before you click “Buy,” verify the URL, check reviews, and confirm the contact info provided is real.
Scammers create realistic-looking storefronts with holiday sales. Before you click “Buy,” verify the URL, check reviews, and confirm the contact info provided is real.
Holiday deals are great, but not when they cost you more than you saved.
AVOID THESE COMMON SCAM TACTICS
Phone & Text Scams
- Never give personal information, passwords, or verification codes over the phone or through text.
- Don’t send payments using gift cards - legitimate businesses and government agencies never ask for payment this way.
- Be cautious of callers pressuring you to act immediately or keep the call secret. Don't be afraid to hang up or end communication.
Delivery & Travel Scams
- Verify tracking numbers and shipping alerts directly on the carrier’s official website.
- Avoid clicking links in texts claiming packages are delayed.
- Book travel through trusted, verified sites only. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Local Marketplace Scams
- Meet buyers or sellers in public, well-lit locations.
- Avoid offers over asking price or requests for deposits via unverified payment app links.
- Never share banking or login credentials.
LOOK FOR THESE RED FLAGS
"Urgent" Delivery Problems
Scammers may call claiming a package can’t be delivered unless you confirm personal info or pay a fee. Real carriers don’t operate this way.
Scammers may call claiming a package can’t be delivered unless you confirm personal info or pay a fee. Real carriers don’t operate this way.
Fake Bank Alerts
If someone calls about “suspicious holiday spending” and asks for your password, PIN, or verification code. Hang up immediately and call MAX directly to confirm the request or report suspicious activity.
If someone calls about “suspicious holiday spending” and asks for your password, PIN, or verification code. Hang up immediately and call MAX directly to confirm the request or report suspicious activity.
Impersonation Scams
Fraudsters may pretend to be law enforcement, well-known charities, family members, or even your financial institution. Verify before acting, even if the call sounds urgent.
Fraudsters may pretend to be law enforcement, well-known charities, family members, or even your financial institution. Verify before acting, even if the call sounds urgent.
High Pressure Tactics
If the caller insists you must act “before midnight,” “right now,” or “before the holiday rush,” or if they sound irritated that you aren't acting quickly, it’s a major red flag.
If the caller insists you must act “before midnight,” “right now,” or “before the holiday rush,” or if they sound irritated that you aren't acting quickly, it’s a major red flag.
Bottom line: Trust your instincts. If a deal, call, or message feels rushed or too good to be true, it probably is.
BEFORE YOU GO
Preparation is Key
- Set up card controls in online banking or the MAX app. Turn on alerts so you’ll know right away if something looks off.
- Submit a travel notice in card controls. This lets us know you'll be making purchases outside of your normal shopping area. Our system can monitor for unusual activity.
- Protect your personal and account information. Use strong, unique passwords (especially for email and banking apps). Never share this information with anyone.
- Be prepared. Take more than one form of payment (cash, debit card, credit card, etc.) in case systems are temporarily unavailable. Make a copy of travel documents and inform a trusted family member or friend of your travel route and plans.
Keep reading for common travel red flags and easy ways to stay protected wherever your holiday plans take you.
ON THE ROAD
Be alert for these red flags:
- Gas pumps with loose card readers or unusual covers and stickers
- “Free Wi-Fi” networks at rest stops or restaurants that don’t require a password
- Texts or emails claiming your rental car booking has been “canceled” or “upgraded”
- Fake roadside assistance numbers found on stickers or through online search results
Protect yourself on the road.
Use tap-to-pay or a mobile wallet.
This reduces the risk of skimming and card cloning.
Verify rental car reservations directly.
Log into the rental company’s official app or website and avoid links from texts or emails.
Know the official roadside assistance number.
Use the number on your insurance card or rental agreement and not a number found online.
Keep your devices secure.
Turn off Bluetooth and auto-connect to avoid connecting to spoofed networks.
IN THE AIR
Be alert for these red flags:
- Public charging stations that could access your device
- Imposter airline websites offering “flight changes” for a fee
- Fake baggage-fee texts or gate-change messages
- Pickpocketing in crowded terminals when devices or wallets are left unattended
Protect yourself in the air.
Avoid plugging into public USB charging ports.
Use your own charger and plug into a standard outlet.
Double-check flight updates.
Airlines will never text you asking for payment to “confirm” a seat or gate change. Check the airline’s official app.
Use secure Wi-Fi only.
If you must check financial accounts, use your mobile data and never public Wi-Fi.
Keep your wallet and cards in a front pocket or zipped compartment.
Crowded airports make it easier for bad actors to steal valuables.
Watch for shoulder surfing.
Cover your hand when entering PINs at kiosks or ticket machines.
The Too Good to Be True Online Deal
While hunting for the perfect gift last December, Erin found a designer jacket online for 75% off. The website looked convincing, checkout was quick, and the deal seemed unbeatable. But the package never arrived, the seller vanished, and Erin discovered the site was a fake storefront created just for holiday shoppers.
What Erin Learned:
She realized later that the website had no customer service number, no reviews, and no secure payment icon. Three major red flags.
The Gift Card Scam
Right before the holidays last year, Rob got a call from someone claiming to be from a major retailer. They said his “holiday order” couldn’t be shipped unless he verified his identity—by buying a gift card and reading the numbers over the phone. Rob rushed out to purchase it… only to learn later that no legitimate business ever asks for payment this way.
What Rob Learned:
Scammers use urgency during the holidays to get people to act fast without thinking, and they love gift cards because they’re fast, untraceable, and irreversible.
Scammers use urgency during the holidays to get people to act fast without thinking, and they love gift cards because they’re fast, untraceable, and irreversible.
The Fake Shipping Update Text
With so many packages moving around during the holidays, scammers take advantage of the chaos. Anna received a text that looked like it came from a shipping company: “Your delivery is delayed. Update your address here.” She clicked the link and unknowingly shared her online banking password on a spoofed page.
What Anna Learned:
Even texts that look official can be fraudulent, and scammers often copy logos and language perfectly. Take the time to verify directly from the carrier's website or app.
Even texts that look official can be fraudulent, and scammers often copy logos and language perfectly. Take the time to verify directly from the carrier's website or app.
The Local Buy/Sell Group Con
Whether you use Facebook Marketplace or local buy/sell/trade groups, the holidays bring an uptick in rushed shoppers and scammers. Laura listed a kid’s bike for sale. Within minutes, a “buyer” offered to pay above asking price and insisted on sending an online payment to “hold the item.” The link he sent looked like a payment app, but it actually stole her login credentials.
What Laura Learned:
Knowing the signs early can prevent both financial and personal safety risks. Only accept cash or use verified digital payment apps, not links sent by strangers. And never share personal financial information or login credentials.