A bank merger can be an exciting time. It often brings new capabilities, expanded services and more resources to support your financial goals. Pinnacle’s merger with Synovus is no exception. At the same time, periods of change tend to attract fraudsters who look for ways to exploit uncertainty.

When there is an increase in communication, new processes or unfamiliar terminology, scammers try to blend in by sounding official and helpful. Understanding how these scams work is one of the best ways to avoid them.

Below are some of the most common tactics fraudsters use during a bank merger, along with practical steps you can take to stay protected.

Impersonating the bank

One of the most common approaches involves emails, text messages or phone calls that appear to come from the bank. These messages often claim that your account needs to be updated because of the merger or that action is required to avoid a disruption.

You may be asked to click a link, visit a website that looks legitimate or provide sensitive information such as online banking credentials or one-time passcodes. These messages are designed to create urgency so you act quickly without verifying the source.

Posing as a helpful banker

Another tactic involves someone claiming to be a banker offering personal assistance during the transition. They may suggest helping you open a new account, move funds between institutions or add signers to an account to make the merger easier.

In reality, these fraudsters are often guiding clients to move money into accounts the fraudster controls or gathering enough information to access the account later. While Pinnacle bankers are always happy to help, real bankers will not ask for your passwords or security codes.

Redirecting payments

Fraudsters may also target ongoing payments such as mortgages, loans or credit cards. You might receive a message saying payment instructions have changed because of the merger and asking you to send future payments to a new account.

These requests can arrive by email, text message, phone call or even mailed letters that look official. Payment instructions should never be changed based on an unsolicited message without direct verification.

Inventing fees or frozen funds

Some scams rely on fear. A fraudster may claim that merger-related fees are due or that your funds have been temporarily frozen. In some cases, they send a check and instruct you to deposit it and then wire or send funds elsewhere.

These scenarios are often part of check fraud or wire fraud schemes and should raise immediate red flags.

How to protect yourself

While scams evolve, a few habits go a long way in keeping your accounts secure:

• Slow down and be cautious when messages feel urgent or unexpected
• Do not click links or open attachments from unsolicited messages
• Never share online banking credentials or one-time passcodes
• Verify requests by contacting your banker directly using a known phone number

Pinnacle will not ask for your online banking username, password or security codes. If something feels unusual, it is always appropriate to pause and ask questions.

A bank merger should be a positive experience, not a stressful one. If you receive a message that raises concerns or if you are unsure about a request related to the merger, reach out to your Pinnacle advisor. They can help confirm what is legitimate and guide you safely through the transition with confidence.

Visit our Fraud & Security Center for more information on how to protect yourself from scams.