United Community Bank is reminding older adults and their families to stay alert for financial scams that use phone calls, text messages and emails designed to appear as though they are coming from a trusted bank, business or even a family member.

The bank says scammers often try to create a sense of urgency, telling potential victims there is suspicious activity on an account, money is at risk or immediate action is required. The goal is often to pressure someone into providing personal or banking information before they have time to question the request.

One increasingly convincing tactic is caller ID spoofing. Criminals can manipulate caller ID information so that a call appears to be coming from a legitimate bank or other trusted organization, even when it is not.

United Community Bank stresses that it will never call, text or email a customer and ask for sensitive information such as an account number, username, password, PIN or secure access code.

Customers receiving a suspicious call claiming to be from United Community Bank should hang up rather than relying on the number shown on caller ID. They can then contact the bank directly using a trusted telephone number.

The bank also advises customers to be suspicious of unexpected text messages or emails containing links. Phishing messages can direct victims to websites designed to resemble legitimate financial institutions, where information entered by the victim can be captured by criminals.

Older adults are frequent targets of financial fraud, and scammers may try to take advantage of trust, isolation or concern for family members.

United Community Bank is also supporting an effort called Secure Seniors, which was created by three Union County High School students in North Georgia to educate older adults about financial scams.

According to the bank, the students began their work by reaching out to nursing homes and senior communities. Their educational effort has since reached more than 250 nursing homes nationwide, and the students have also taken their message about protecting seniors from fraud to the Georgia State Capitol.

Families can play an important role by talking with older relatives about common scams and encouraging them to check with someone they trust before sending money or providing financial information.

Some warning signs include unexpected requests for money, pressure to act immediately, demands for passwords or verification codes, requests to move money to supposedly protect it, or instructions to keep a transaction secret from family members or bank employees.

Another important rule is never trust a caller simply because the caller ID looks familiar.

Anyone receiving a suspicious communication claiming to be from United Community Bank can end the conversation and contact the bank directly at 1-800-822-2651.

Bank officials say taking a few extra minutes to independently verify a request can prevent a scammer from turning fear or urgency into a financial loss.