Consumer Products Educational

5 Common Fall Scams to Watch For

August 4, 2026

Fall has a rhythm to it. Kids settle back into school, packages start piling up on porches, the holidays creep onto the calendar, and everyone’s schedule seems to fill up overnight. That busyness is exactly what scammers count on. When we’re distracted, rushed, and juggling more than usual, it’s easier to click a link without thinking twice or answer a call we normally would’ve ignored.

At PSB Bank, we’d rather help you spot these tricks early than clean up the mess afterward. So, let’s walk through five common fall scams across Missouri, how they work, and the simple habits that keep your money and information where they belong.

Quick Answer: What Are the Most Common Fall Scams?

The most common fall scams include fake package delivery texts, bank impersonation calls, fraudulent online stores, fake charity requests and back-to-school or college scams. These schemes often use urgency, suspicious links or unusual payment requests to pressure people into acting before they verify the message.

Not Sure a Message from PSB Bank Is Real?

Do not click its links or use the phone number it provides. Contact your local PSB Bank branch through the official website or a number you already trust.

1. Fake Package Delivery Texts and Emails

With online orders climbing every fall, most of us actually are waiting on a package or two. Scammers know it. They send texts and emails pretending to be from USPS, UPS, FedEx, or Amazon, usually claiming there’s a problem with your delivery.

Common versions include:

• A message saying your package is “on hold” until you confirm your address
• A fake tracking-number link that leads to a lookalike website
• A request for a small “redelivery fee” or “customs charge”
• A warning that your shipment will be returned unless you act now

Warning signs: Real carriers don’t ask for payment by text to release a package, and they won’t need your login or card details through a random link. Look for odd web addresses, misspellings, and pressure to act immediately.

What to do: Don’t tap the link. If you’re genuinely expecting something, go straight to the carrier’s official website or app and enter the tracking number yourself.

2. Bank Impersonation and Fraud Alert Scams

This one stings because it uses your trust in your bank against you. Scammers send texts or make calls pretending to be from your financial institution, warning you about “suspicious activity” and pushing you to verify information right away.

You might see or hear:

• A text asking, “Did you make this $400 purchase? Reply YES or NO.”
• A call from a number that looks like your bank’s real caller ID (this is called spoofing)
• Someone urgently requesting your account number, PIN, password, or a one-time security code
• Pressure to “move your money to a safe account” to protect it

Here’s the part worth remembering—we will never call, text, or email you asking for your password, full account number, or a one-time verification code. Those codes are for you alone.

What to do: If a message or call makes you uneasy, hang up or set the text aside. Then contact us directly using the number on the back of your card, your statement, or our official website. When in doubt, reach out to us the way you always would, not the way the message tells you to.

3. Holiday Shopping Scams

By the time the leaves turn, holiday deals are everywhere, and so are fake ones. Scammers set up phony online stores, run bogus ads on social media, and post “too good to be true” listings to grab your money or card details.

Watch for:

• Fake online stores with prices far below normal and no real contact information
• Marketplace scams where a seller wants payment before you can see the item
• Deals that vanish the moment you pay, with no product and no refund
• Gift card requests, where someone insists you pay with gift cards (a giant red flag)

A simple rule: Legitimate businesses don’t ask you to pay with gift cards. If a seller insists on gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, walk away.

What to do: Stick with retailers you know, use a credit or debit card that offers fraud protection, and be skeptical of deals that only exist on a random link or social post.

4. Charity and Fundraising Scams

Fall kicks off the season of giving, and scammers love to blend in with the crowd. They create fake charities, mimic real ones, and lean on emotional appeals, especially after storms, wildfires, or other disasters when people most want to help.

Common tactics include:

• Urgent donation requests by phone, text, or email
• Fake disaster-relief funds that pop up right after a tragedy
• Copycat names that sound nearly identical to well-known charities
• Social media fundraisers with no clear information about where the money goes

How to verify before you give:

• Look up the organization directly rather than clicking a link in a message
• Check the charity on a site like the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search or a charity watchdog like GuideStar or Charity Navigator
• Be cautious of anyone pressuring you to give immediately
• Avoid donating by gift card or wire transfer

Generosity is a wonderful thing. A quick check just makes sure your gift reaches the people you actually want to help.

5. Back-to-School and College Scams

Fall means new students, new expenses, and new opportunities for scammers to target families and young adults. These schemes often promise help with money or school, then take advantage of the hope behind them.

Keep an eye out for:

• Fake scholarship or grant offers that ask for a fee to “release” your award
• Student loan scams promising instant forgiveness or lower payments for an upfront charge
• Textbook scams with unbeatable prices that never ship
• Off-campus housing scams where a “landlord” wants a deposit before you can tour the place

Warning signs: Real scholarships don’t charge you to receive money, and legitimate loan servicers won’t demand upfront fees for forgiveness. If a rental deal requires money before you’ve ever seen the property or met the owner, slow down.

5 Warning Signs a Message May Be a Scam

Most scams share the same fingerprints. If you spot these, treat the message with caution:

1. Urgency: “Act now” or “your account closes today”
2. Pressure: Threats, fear, or refusing to let you think it over
3. Unusual payment methods: Gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
4. Requests for sensitive info: Passwords, PINs, full account numbers, or one-time codes
5. Suspicious links: Strange web addresses, misspellings, or unexpected attachments

One warning sign is enough to pause. You do not need to prove that something is a scam before ending the conversation and checking independently.

How to Protect Yourself This Fall

A few everyday habits go a long way:

• Slow down. Almost every scam depends on speed. Give yourself permission to pause.
• Verify independently. Contact companies, banks, and charities using official numbers and websites, never the contact info in a suspicious message.
• Guard your codes. Never share one-time passcodes or passwords with anyone, even someone claiming to be from your bank.
• Keep an eye on your accounts. Reviewing your activity regularly through online and mobile banking makes it easier to catch anything unusual early.
• Use strong, unique passwords and turn on account alerts where available.
• Talk about it. Share these tips with older relatives, students, and anyone who might be a target. A quick conversation can prevent a big loss.

When in Doubt, Pause and Contact PSB Bank

If a message, call, or offer ever feels off, trust that instinct. Scammers succeed when we rush, so the simplest protection is to take a breath and verify before you act. Fall should be about football games, family, and warm cider, not fraud.

If you ever get a message claiming to be from PSB Bank and you’re not sure it’s real, don’t reply to it. Reach out to us directly or stop by your local branch, and we’ll help you sort it out. We’re always glad to take a look with you.

Stop By a Branch Near You

Member FDIC.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Scams

What scams are most common during the fall?

Fall tends to bring a rise in fake package delivery notifications, bank impersonation scams, holiday shopping scams, charity fraud, and back-to-school or college scams. Scammers take advantage of busy schedules and increased online activity during this time of year.

How do I know if a bank text message is real?

A genuine bank will never text you asking for your password, full account number, or a one-time verification code. If a message pressures you to act immediately or click a link, treat it as suspicious and contact your bank directly using the number on your card or statement.

What should I do if I clicked a scam link?

Close the page and do not enter any information.

If you entered a password, change it through the company’s official website and update any other account that uses the same password.

If you shared banking or card information, contact your bank immediately using a trusted phone number and review your account activity.

If you sent money or believe personal information was stolen, report the incident through the appropriate fraud-reporting agency.

The FTC’s reporting portal can provide next steps based on what happened, while the FBI advises victims of online or internet-enabled crime to report it promptly to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Why do scams increase during busy seasons?

Scammers rely on distraction. When people are managing back-to-school routines, holiday shopping, travel, and packed schedules, they’re more likely to act quickly without verifying, which is exactly what these schemes are designed to exploit.

How can I protect myself from phishing scams?

Avoid clicking links in unexpected texts or emails, verify messages by contacting the company directly, never share passwords or one-time codes, and keep an eye on your accounts. When something feels urgent or too good to be true, slow down and confirm before acting.