Dear Client,
Chain Bridge Bank, N.A. is writing to alert you to an increase in fraud schemes affecting banks nationwide. The FBI has warned that criminals are using technology to make calls, texts, or emails appear as if they are coming from legitimate financial institutions. We are aware of client inquiries indicating that these types of fraudulent contacts may be occurring. In some cases, the caller ID may display the Bank’s own telephone number or the name of an employee. We urge you to read this message carefully and share it with anyone who has authority over your accounts.
Important Reminder
Chain Bridge Bank, N.A. will not call, text, or email you to ask for your password, one-time security code, or remote access to your computer or mobile device. If anyone claiming to represent the Bank makes such a request, it is fraud. End the call immediately.
What the FBI Is Reporting
On November 25, 2025, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued Public Service Announcement I-112525-PSA, warning that criminals are impersonating financial institution employees to commit Account Takeover (ATO) fraud. Since January 2025, IC3 has received more than 5,100 complaints of this type of fraud, with reported losses exceeding $262 million.
Common elements of the scheme include:
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Spoofed Contact. A criminal calls, texts, or emails you, claiming to represent your bank. The caller ID may display the bank’s real phone number.
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Manufactured Urgency. The caller creates urgency, often stating there is suspicious activity on your account or that an unauthorized wire transfer is in progress.
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Credential Theft. You are asked to “verify” your identity by providing login credentials, one-time passcodes, or multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes. The criminal uses these credentials in real time to access your accounts.
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Account Takeover. Once inside your accounts, criminals initiate wire transfers to accounts they control and may lock you out entirely.
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Rapid Extraction. Stolen funds are quickly moved or converted to cryptocurrency, making recovery difficult or impossible.
How to Protect Yourself
Caller ID can be faked. A call that displays “Chain Bridge Bank” or our published number (703-748-2005) may originate from a criminal. Do not rely on caller ID as proof of identity.
If you receive an unexpected call about your account, hang up. Then call us directly at 703-748-2005 or contact your Relationship Officer using a number you have independently verified. Never call back a number provided by the suspicious caller.
No Chain Bridge Bank employee will ever ask you for your password, one-time passcode, MFA code, PIN, or remote access to your device over the phone, by text, or by email. If anyone asks for this information, it is a scam.
If you receive an unexpected call about your account, do not act under pressure. Verify any request through official Bank channels before taking any action.
Use strong, unique passwords for your banking accounts, monitor your transactions regularly, and set up alerts for wire transfers and ACH debits, where available. For business accounts, consider requiring that one person initiates a payment and a separate person approves it. Visit our Security Center for additional guidance.
Warning Signs of a Spoofing Attack
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A call or message from someone claiming to be the bank, demanding immediate action.
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A caller who asks you to “confirm” your password, one-time security code, or PIN.
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Instructions to move money to a “safe” or “secure” account.
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A request to install software or grant remote access to your device.
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Pressure to keep the conversation secret or not contact the bank through other channels.
If You Suspect Fraud
Act quickly. Time is critical in fraud cases. Take the following steps immediately:
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Contact the Bank immediately. Call Chain Bridge Bank, N.A. at 703-748-2005.
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Change your credentials. If you shared any login credentials, passwords, or security codes, change them immediately from a secure device.
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Review your account activity. Check your recent transactions for unauthorized activity, including wire transfers, ACH debits, and changes to account contact information.
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File a report with the FBI. Visit www.ic3.gov to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Include the words “Account Takeover” in your description.
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Preserve evidence. Save any voicemails, text messages, emails, or screenshots related to the suspicious contact. This evidence may assist law enforcement.
Resources
Chain Bridge Bank, N.A. Security Center
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Contact the Bank: 703-748-2005
Protecting your accounts is a shared responsibility. We ask that you remain vigilant, educate your employees and family members, and report any suspicious contacts to us without delay.
If you have questions about account security or would like to discuss additional protective measures, please contact your Relationship Officer or call us at 703-748-2005.
Sincerely,
Chain Bridge Bank, N.A.
This communication is provided for informational and security awareness purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice and does not modify, amend, or supplement any agreement with Chain Bridge Bank, N.A.
