Account Security Knowledge Center:

Common Scams: Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone gains access to your personal information such as name, date of birth and Social Security number (SSN) and uses that information to commit fraudulent acts like obtaining credit, making purchases, withdrawing funds, or opening accounts in your name. These actions can damage your credit, your reputation and can take a lot of time and effort to unravel.

Common Scams: Online Dating/Romance Scams

Has an online love interest asked you for money? That's a scam. Online dating/romance scams have become an unfortunate reality in the digital age, preying on the hopes and emotions of individuals seeking love and companionship. Scammers know millions of people use online dating sites. They are there, too, hiding behind fake profiles. These scammers pay close attention to the information you share and don’t miss a beat becoming your perfect match. You may have heard about romance scammers who tell you they’re sick, hurt, or in jail, or give you another fake reason to send them money. But did you know that many romance scammers operate by offering to do you a favor? They may claim to be a successful cryptocurrency investor who’ll teach you how it’s done. But any money you “invest” goes straight into their wallet. The scammers often pretend that they are overseas for business or military service. They may begin asking you for help to get home so they can come meet you. Often, they’ll ask for money and claim it is an emergency and they will pay you back. There are often obstacles preventing them from meeting you in person. The number one rule to always follow is to never send money to someone you have not met in person. Once the money is gone, we can’t get it back. If you’re engaging in an online relationship, be mindful of these tips to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Mail Theft-Related Check Fraud Scams

Mail theft-related check fraud scams pose a significant threat to individuals and businesses. In these scams, criminals target mailboxes, intercepting envelopes containing checks or financial documents. Once in possession of these items, they alter or forge the checks, attempting to cash them or deposit them into their accounts. Criminals have even been known to sell copies of washed checks online. Here are some tips on how you can prevent being a victim of a check fraud scam.

Common Scams: Phishing

Phishing involves unsolicited emails, or “spam,” that appear to come from legitimate sources (reputable companies you do business with, or government agencies), in which the perpetrators “phish” for personal information. In these emails, some pretext is used to bait you into providing personal information for verification purposes: your account number, social security number, password, or other private information used by a financial institution to identify you. This information is then captured by the fraudster to commit identity fraud. With email scams accounting for 96 percent of all phishing attacks, it’s the most popular tool for the bad guys but one you can usually recognize by following these tips.

Common Scams: Text Message Scams-Smishing

Smishing, a combination of the words "SMS" and "phishing," is a deceptive technique used by scammers to trick individuals via text messages and obtain their personal and financial information. These malicious attackers send text messages that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as banks, service providers, or government agencies, often containing urgent requests or enticing offers. The goal is to convince you to click on malicious links or disclose sensitive information. To protect yourself from smishing attacks, it is essential to be cautious and skeptical of unsolicited text messages. Check out these best practices for text message safety.

Common Scams: Fake Check Scams

In each of these scams, the target or victim is given a check to deposit, but then urged to quickly wire back the amount overpaid, or the funds cleared in a work-at-home scheme, or an amount needed to release the remaining “winnings” in a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. The victim wires out the money as instructed, only to learn later that the check he or she received is fake. It may take weeks, even months, for a counterfeit to be identified; but by then the wire is gone and the victim loses as much as thousands of dollars. These checks look real, even to bank tellers. Many of them appear to be cashier’s checks drawn on real banks, or U.S. Postal money orders. Fraudsters know that, by law, banks must make funds available long before the checks deposited are identified as fake. A consumer may deposit these checks, but just because he or she then can withdraw the funds, it doesn’t mean the check is good. The depositor is ultimately responsible for all checks deposited, and in these schemes, the depositor bears the loss. If someone sends you a check to deposit in exchange for a return of funds via wire, you may be targeted in a fake check scam. If so, or if you’ve been a victim of a fake check, report it to one of our Bank representatives immediately, and your local law enforcement agency. If someone you don’t know wants to send you a check, but expects you to wire some of the money back, you likely have been targeted in a fake check scam. The scam may take one of many different forms, but all operate the same way:

Common Scams: Phone Call Scams

Phone scams have become a common method used by scammers to deceive and defraud unsuspecting individuals. These fraudsters impersonate reputable organizations such as banks, government agencies, or even tech support services. Many use spoofing techniques to manipulate caller ID information, making it appear as if the call is legitimate. They often employ persuasive tactics, such as urgency, fear, or promises of financial gain, to pressure victims into divulging sensitive information like bank account details, social security numbers, or credit card information. Some scammers may also demand immediate payments or threaten dire consequences, such as legal action or loss of services. By preying on individuals' trust and exploiting their vulnerabilities, phone scammers manipulate innocent people into handing over their money. You must remain cautious, verify the legitimacy of incoming calls, and never share personal or financial information over the phone unless you are certain of the caller's identity. Here are some best practices when it comes to identifying and protecting yourself from phone scams:

Common Scams: Spyware/Malware

This scam involves the use of spying software, or malicious software, which captures any information you type into your computer (including user IDs, passwords, credit card numbers used in online purchases, etc.) and forwards that information to a fraudster. These programs attack your computer through email attachments and downloads, some piggybacking along downloads from legitimate sources.

General Tips to Keep Your Information Safe:​