Friday, July 17, 2026
Cybercriminals use convincing emails, text messages, phone calls, and pop-ups to trick people into approving account access or sharing verification codes. Some scams may even send you to a real sign-in or verification page, but that does not mean the request is safe if you did not start it.
How to Protect Yourself
- Never approve a login request you did not start
- Never enter or share a verification code because someone emailed, texted, or called and asked you to do so
- Be cautious of unexpected messages asking you to open a shared document, review a voicemail, view an invoice, verify your account, enter a code, or approve access
- Take a moment to review any login or authorization request before approving it
- Go directly to a trusted website or app instead of using links in unexpected messages
- Use strong passwords and enable multifactor authentication whenever available
- Remember: multifactor authentication is an important layer of protection, but only approve prompts or enter codes for sign-ins you personally started
- Always confirm you are at firstmerchants.com or on the FMB Banking app before you log in—do not follow links from search results or ads without checking the URL
Remember
First Merchants will never contact you and pressure you to share a password, provide a verification code, or approve a login request you did not initiate.
Be especially cautious of requests involving login approvals, verification codes, or account validation. If something seems unusual, pause and confirm before proceeding.
Staying vigilant is one of the best ways to protect yourself from online fraud and account compromise.
If You Receive a Suspicious Request
Do not respond, do not enter the code, and do not approve the request. If you believe you may have interacted with a scam, contact your local First Merchants branch or Customer Care at 1.800.205.3464.
