By Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO
Fraudsters are constantly changing their tactics, finding new ways to target consumers through phone calls, text messages, social media, cryptocurrency schemes, and other increasingly sophisticated scams. As these threats continue to evolve, education remains one of the strongest tools available to protect both consumers and the financial institutions they trust.
To help address this ongoing challenge, I am pleased to share the launch of a new Lock Out Fraud resource page at www.wisbank.com/lock-out-fraud/. The initiative provides easy-to-understand, one-page educational resources designed to help consumers recognize common scams, understand warning signs, and take steps to protect themselves from fraud.
The growing library currently features resources on topics such as spoofing scams and Bitcoin ATM fraud, two schemes that continue to impact consumers across Wisconsin. Each resource is presented in a concise, reader-friendly format that can be quickly shared with customers, family members, employees, and community members.
Importantly, WBA member banks may customize these materials by adding their own logo and distributing them directly to customers through branches, newsletters, websites, social media channels, and community outreach efforts. This allows banks to reinforce fraud awareness while providing valuable educational content from a trusted source.
The Lock Out Fraud initiative reflects WBA’s ongoing commitment to supporting the well-being of both member banks and the customers they serve. By providing timely information on emerging fraud trends and prevention strategies, WBA aims to help empower consumers with the knowledge they need to remain vigilant and avoid becoming victims.
While only a handful of topics are available today, WBA plans to significantly expand the resource library over the coming months. By late fall 2026, the Lock Out Fraud page will feature a comprehensive collection of fraud education materials covering a wide range of scams and consumer protection topics.
As fraud threats continue to evolve, one thing remains constant: informed consumers are better protected consumers. Whether you are looking to learn more about a specific scam or seeking resources to share with family and friends, I encourage everyone to explore the growing collection of materials available through the Lock Out Fraud initiative.
