Alpine Bank is calling on consumers and businesses to be extra vigilant this holiday season in response to cybercriminals using increasingly advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to steal from unsuspecting shoppers.

Alpine Bank is warning Coloradans that criminals are now using new AI technology in several startling and convincing ways to fool people into losing their identity and money:

• Cloning near-perfect voices and identities that sound like family members, employers or trusted contacts, often pairing these with fake caller IDs.
• Forging perfect copies of financial and other trusted websites, which are used to steal login credentials from unsuspecting users.
• Hijacking smart phones and other devices with malware that is capable of intercepting calls and transactions.
• Generating fake QR codes that are placed over real ones on parking meters, restaurant menus or advertisements, which quickly take over a person’s smart phone to steal personal financial information.

“This is not the phishing email of 10 years ago,” Alpine Bank President Glen Jammaron said. “These scams are incredibly convincing and often indistinguishable from the real thing. Staying vigilant is no longer optional, it’s essential to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Alpine Bank offers the following guidelines to help consumers avoid falling victim to these sophisticated scams:

• Never click on links or phone numbers from emails or texts you weren’t expecting. Always call companies including Alpine Bank by dialing the number you know to be legitimate.
• Never share personal financial information or passwords to anyone on the phone or online, regardless of who they claim to be. Like other banks, Alpine Bank will never ask you for your login credentials.
• Avoid clicking on ads on social media, and never do so from retailers you don’t know or for deals that seem too good to be true. (One way: Check out an unknown online retailer by searching for its name and the word “fraud” next to it.)
• Stick with trusted retailers and verify the websites you visit are legitimate and secure. Make double-sure the name of the website is correct, with the right spelling and that a padlock symbol appears in the web browser’s address bar.
• Monitor your bank and financial accounts regularly for unauthorized charges.
• Don’t succumb to pressure tactics demanding money or gift cards. If it’s too good to be true, it is.
• Report all suspicious activity including texts, emails, phone or video calls to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) or the Federal Trade Commission (reportfraud.ftc.gov).
• Contact Alpine Bank immediately at 970-625-7174 or visit your local branch if you suspect you have disclosed information concerning your Alpine Bank accounts.

Visit Alpine Bank’s fraud information webpage at alpinebank.com/fraud-prevention.