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Fraudsters are constantly finding new scams, and one of the latest scams uses your cell phone's call forwarding feature to gain access to your accounts.

At Citizens National Bank, protecting our clients is a top priority. Understanding how this scam works can help you recognize the warning signs and avoid becoming a victim.

What Is the Call Forwarding Scam?

The scam typically begins with a phone call from someone pretending to represent a trusted organization, such as your bank, a government agency, or a wireless carrier.

The caller may claim there is suspicious activity on your account or that immediate action is needed to verify your identity. They often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into following their instructions.

The scammer then asks you to dial *72 followed by a phone number they provide, claiming it is a verification code, security code, authorization number, or activation code.

It is not.

Dialing *72 followed by a phone number activates call forwarding on many phone systems. Once enabled, your incoming calls—including security verification calls from your bank or other organizations—may be redirected directly to the scammer.

Why This Is Dangerous

Once call forwarding is activated, a fraudster may be able to:

• Receive one-time verification codes sent through automated phone calls
• Intercept calls from your financial institutions
• Reset passwords on online accounts
• Access voicemail messages containing sensitive information
• Impersonate you during phone verification processes
• Bypass certain security measures that rely on phone-based authentication

This can give criminals another tool to attempt unauthorized access to your accounts.

How to Protect Yourself

Keep these best practices in mind:

• Never dial *72 followed by a phone number at the request of an unexpected caller.
• Be cautious of anyone creating urgency or claiming your account is in immediate danger.
• Never provide personal information or verification codes unless you initiated the call using a trusted phone number.
• If someone claims to be from Citizens National Bank, hang up and call the number listed on our website or the back of your debit card to verify the request.
• If you've already dialed *72, you can often disable call forwarding by dialing ##002# or by contacting your wireless carrier for assistance. (The deactivation code may vary by carrier.)

Stay Alert Against Fraud

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but a few simple precautions can help keep your accounts secure. If you ever receive an unexpected call asking you to dial a code, share a verification code, or provide sensitive information, pause and verify the request before taking any action.

If you believe you've been targeted by a scam or have concerns about your account, contact your nearest Citizens National Bank location as soon as possible. We're here to help you protect what matters most.

Remember: Citizens National Bank will never ask you to activate call forwarding or request that you dial *72 as part of verifying your identity. If you receive a request like this, treat it as a red flag and contact us directly.