Stopping fraud and scams takes a community
ICBA supports bankers with the tools, training, partnerships, and advocacy needed to protect both customers and the bank—and to respond effectively when the worst happens.
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ICBA Expert Contact
ICBA Community Fraud Group
Community bankers are actively talking about fraud and fighting fraud using the ICBA Community network of community bankers. Join the conversation.
Overview
As a community banker, you’re on the front lines—protecting customers, advocating practical policy, educating your community, and deploying solutions that work at community bank scale.
Fraud tactics and scam typologies are constantly evolving, yet their persistence remains a serious challenge. From check fraud and business email compromise to AI-driven deepfakes and romance scams, Americans are facing a growing range of threats—and far too many are losing money or confidence as a result. Reported losses from online fraud and scams exceeded $16.6 billion in a single year, and 1 in 5 U.S. adults report losing money to an online scam or attack.
Check fraud continues to be the most pressing challenge for community banks. Mail theft, increasingly sophisticated check alteration techniques, and coordination gaps across the financial system have driven mounting losses. In response, ICBA launched a national partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, prompted by ICBA polling showing that 1 in 5 Americans has experienced check fraud or knows someone who has. Hundreds of community banks are already distributing co‑branded fraud-prevention flyers through their branches to help consumers fight back.
You’re not fighting this alone. ICBA and community banks are responding together—sharing intelligence, pushing for action, and strengthening defenses across the industry.
Mark Your Calendar: Fraud & Cybersecurity Awareness Dates
Plan ahead for these national awareness moments. Complimentary marketing and communications assets are available in the ICBA Marketing Resource Center for all ICBA member banks.
Safer Internet Day
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Monday, June 15, 2026
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October 2026
Resources Available to Help You Fight Fraud
Learn what’s working—from bankers like you.
Thousands of community bankers collaborate in ICBA Community, sharing real-time insights, playbooks, technology recommendations, and recovery tactics. The fraud peer group alone has more than 1,300 active participants.
Gain practical insights
The ICBA ThinkTECH Solutions Forum – Fraud is a 90-minute webinar recording that brings together bankers, technologists, and fraud solution providers to explore emerging threats, best practices, and actionable tools tailored to community banks.
When escalation matters, ICBA helps you amplify your voice.
ICBA’s Fraud and Scams Task Force—made up of community banks and state association partners nationwide—shares intelligence, builds regulatory relationships, and develops resources for peers.
From collaborating directly with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to filing Suspicious Activity Reports that disrupt fraud networks, community banks are making an impact well beyond their four walls.
Communicate year-round with your customers.
Use the ICBA Marketing Resource Center to access ready-to-use fraud prevention campaigns and materials tailored for community banks.
Put proven consumer tools to work.
Order in-branch and digital fraud-prevention materials—developed with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service—that provide step-by-step guidance on preventing and responding to check fraud.
Education is the cornerstone of fraud prevention
Fraud moves fast, and community banks’ face-to-face relationships make in-branch engagement one of the most effective ways to reach customers. ICBA and community banks are equipping both bank teams and consumers with plain-English guidance and timely training:
Team training: A deep catalog of webinars, courses, certifications, seminars, and events covering fraud, cybersecurity, BSA/AML, and enterprise risk—so every role in your bank can spot, stop, and report fraud.
Key Certifications: Bank Security, Enterprise Risk Management
Elder fraud prevention
Through ICBA CRA Solutions and the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation, community banks can protect older customers with educational outreach, fraud resources, and CRA-qualified programs.
Deploy solutions that work at community bank scale.
Technology alone won’t solve fraud—but the right technology, aligned with your workflows and budget, can make a measurable difference.
AI-powered fraud tools are now more accessible, bringing advanced capabilities once limited to the largest institutions.
Through ICBA Innovation and the ICBA ThinkTECH ecosystem, you can:
Offset card-fraud losses with ICBA Payments’ Fraud Loss Protection Plan (FLPP) as part of a layered defense.
Evaluate vetted tools in identity verification, authentication, check-fraud detection, and consortium-based analytics built for community banks.
How ICBA strengthens the fight against fraud and scams
ICBA also elevates the community bank voice by speaking at industry events and engaging national media—ensuring your real-world experiences shape the broader fraud conversation.
Preventing, detecting, and mitigating fraud takes engagement across the entire ecosystem. Community banks that act proactively today are best positioned to protect their customers—and their institutions—tomorrow.
