Fraud

Prevention

You can protect yourself from scams by knowing what to look out for. Fraud and scams can happen at any time and being prepared is the best way to prevent them. Learn what to watch for and keep yourself, loved ones and money protected. Contact us immediately if you feel that someone is trying scam you or if you are a victim of fraud. Realizing that you have fallen victim to a scam can be overwhelming. Have peace of mind knowing that we are here to help the entire way. It’s important to take action immediately to prevent more fraud. Now more than ever, you should be in the habit of checking your online banking account activity on a routine basis.

Hacker on Laptop
Man on Smartphone
Couple Using a Mobile Phone

Tips, Tricks & Signs for Scams

  •  Huge discounts on items are a sign that something is a scam.
  •  Look at the email address that an email is coming from. Does it look like a business email?
  •  Do not believe your caller ID. Scammers can make it look like they are calling from an official number.
  •  Do not assume that a website is safe because it shows that it is protected and secure.
  •  Do not click on any links, especially in an unsolicited email.
  •  Spelling errors or bad grammar are a red flag to fraud
  • Be cautious of urgent calls to action. Scammers want you to act immediately to avoid a penalty.
  • Never share your account information with anyone.
Couple Using Laptop

Password Guidelines

  • Do not reuse passwords
  • Create passwords that are lengthy and complex using uppercase letters, numbers and symbols
  • Change passwords often
  • Consider purposely spelling a word wrong within your password.
    • Example: Dayzee instead of Daisy
  • Try not to make your passwords personal

Popular scams to look out for:

Gift card scams

Gift card scams are the perfect scam because they are untraceable and leave no way to recover lost funds. Gift cards are one of the most popular payment method for scams. About 1 in 3 people who report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), say that a gift card was involved. Always be cautious when someone asks you to purchase gift cards.

Charity scams

Scammers like to tug on heart strings by using donations as a scam. Charity scams can take place online or over the phone. Scammers trick people into making a donation or thanking them for a donation they never made and asking for a payment. Be sure to research the charity before you donate to make sure it is reputable. Never give money by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer.

Package delivery scams

Be aware of a scam call, email or text notification with tracking information or information on a package that you didn’t order. These texts will look like they are from a legitimate business or mail carrier and include a fake link. The link will lead you to a website that will compromise your personal information.

Fake gift exchanges

Gift exchanges are a fun way to celebrate the holidays, but beware if you see one pop up on social media. You should know that social media gift exchanges are probably a scam. Not only will you likely not receive gifts in return, but scammers will use your personal information you provided to put you on other scam lists or commit identity theft.

Temporary job scams

Many retailers hire seasonal workers to help with increased demand. Scammers use job postings to ask applicants for job supplies, personal information or application and hiring fees. They will likely promise high wages for simple tasks. Be reminded that if you think something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Apply in-person or directly on a business’s website to verify that it is legitimate. Do not click on any links to bring you to a job application.