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Common Scams

 

Romance Scams

A romance scam is when you meet someone online and begin an online romance. Shortly after connecting, they begin asking for money for various reasons.

Here are some examples of what they could be asking for:

  • Asking for money to help with an emergency
  • Financial help paying for a trip, airline ticket, hotel stay, or rental car
  • Help pay for bills, or assistance cashing a check for them
  • Help with collecting pay or retirement money
  • They may even ask you to help them move or obtain items like gold

 

 

Refund or Overpayment Scams

A scam where you are contacted by someone claiming to be from a large technology company, virus software vendor, or online retailers.

They will inform you they have refunded or overpaid you for a subscription or service they have already performed and will request you pay the overage amount through gift cards, wire transfers, or cash.

The refunds could be thousands of dollars above what they are claiming you owe for this subscription or service. This refund or overpaid amount could be money moved within your own accounts. Always verify your account before sending out money to ensure accuracy and money has been moved around without your consent.

Review your recent account history within online and mobile banking from another device or contact us if you're unsure of recent activity in your accounts. Once the money is gone, recovering this money is not a guarantee. Be sure to verify what this person is saying before sending any money.  

 

 

Zelle® Scams

Be aware of emails and text messages

We will never send you a link by text or email asking you for your account number, online banking password, secure access code, or PIN. 

If you have replied to or clicked on a link from a text message or email contact us as soon as possible. 

Report a Zelle® Scam

 

 

Other Common Scams

Below you will find several other scams to stay aware of. Always double-check, do your research, and ask questions. 

Work-at-Home Scam

A work-at-home opportunity for mystery shopping, stuffing envelopes, processing payments, purchasing supplies for your 'new job', or you have been requested to send advance pay for services not yet performed.

Lottery Scam

You've received a letter or email indicating you won the lottery! However, you must pay taxes or a fee up front in order to receive your winnings. Have you recently entered a sweepstakes or lottery? Was this sweepstakes or lottery outside the United States? If you are unsure about this letter or email, contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Inheritance Scam

You receive a letter or email indicating a relative has passed away and in order to receive your inheritance, you need to pay fees, taxes, or legal fees upfront. Another common scam is a stranger asking you to pay a small fee so they can move their inheritance to a bank in the United States, with the promise of receiving a small portion of their inheritance in return.

Online Acquaintance Scam

A new friendship created online, or an old acquaintance is requesting your assistance to receive money. They may ask you to cash a check or provide your personal login information to deposit checks or transfer funds into your checking account because they are unable to receive money in their own account. Be sure to verify who they are and their request before assisting them. 

Unexplained Check/Online Marketplace Scam

You receive a check in the mail unexpectedly, or an anticipated check is greater than agreed upon. Do not deposit the check! Let us review the check for you to ensure it's valid before you deposit it.

Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam

Those receiving social security benefits have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter. Scammers are then misleading beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment through retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency such as bitcoin or cryptocurrency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments. Remember, the Social Security Administration will never threaten you, promise to increase your benefits if you pay them, or ask for payment via gift card, wire transfer, or internet currency such as Bitcoin or cryptocurrency.

Emergency Scam

A "relative" contacts you stating they have a medical or other emergency and need money right away. They will address you as Dad, Grandma, Uncle, etc. but the information they provide on where to send the funds is an individual you do not know. Before helping, verify this person's information to ensure you are speaking to an actual relative and not somebody pretending to be related to you. If the location, name of the person, or their story doesn't seem right, give us a call and we would be happy to assist you.

Payments made by gift cards

Scammers often request payments be made via gift card. This typically happens when making an online purchase on an unfamiliar website, in an online romance, and refund or overpayment scams. If you are unsure about a payment request, contact us and we will be happy to assist.

 

 

One Phone Call Could Save You Thousands

Be cautious and verify their identity, links in emails, text messages, and phone calls. If you need assistance, we are ready and available to help. 

Contact Us

 

Disclosures

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.