You might be excited to receive a surprise package in the mail during the holidays and wonder ‘who could it possibly be from?’ But if you weren’t expecting it and there is no return address, it’s likely a scam. Third party online retailers and scammers use “brushing” schemes for a variety of reasons, many of which can put your personal information at risk. They always begin the same way: sending random recipients a small item by mail with no return address. You might receive a pack of seeds, an electronic device, a piece of jewelry, a household item or something […]
Consumer Alerts
Warning Signs for Email and Social Media Compromise
Were you suddenly locked out of your email or social media accounts? Or has one of your contacts let you know they received an unusual message or friend request from you? These red flags often indicate one or more of your online accounts have been compromised. Taking quick action to regain access and change your usernames and passwords may allow you to recover access and most online services offer instructions to help. Click here for resources and links from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If you haven’t already, enable any optional authentication tools, such as one-time passcodes and login alerts. […]
Don’t Let a Scammer Steal Your Holiday Spirit
During the holidays, scammers take advantage of seasonal distractions to steal personal information and commit fraud. We’re already seeing an uptick in reports – particularly of convincing fraud alerts asking recipients to verify large transactions from well-known, national retailers. Scammers cast a wide net with these types of messages and it’s easy for them to pose as real businesses and banks by imitating logos, contact names and caller ID. While MVSB will alert you to suspicious activity by text message, we will never ask you to click on a suspicious link or respond with personal information, such as your account […]
Fraud Alert Scam Targeting Local Residents
Community members are once again reporting fraudulent text messages claiming to be from MVSB and other local banks. This time, the text message asks you to confirm a large transaction from a well-known national retailer, like Walmart, by clicking on a fraudulent link. If accessed the link mimics an online banking login screen and will instruct you to log in to online banking to verify. Instead of being logged in to review accounts, you have handed your username, password and secure access information to the cybercriminal to access your online banking and commit fraud. Remember: Never click on a suspicious […]
10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Fraud
According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), thousands of new scams appear every year and it can be challenging to keep up with the latest tricks and techniques. It’s important to stay vigilant and look for warning signs, so they’ve shared these 10 tips can help keep you safe: Never send money via gift card or wire transfer to someone you have never met face-to-face. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails. Don’t believe everything you see. Scammers are great at mimicking official seals, fonts, and other details. Just because a website or email looks official does […]
Be Vigilant When Donating to Hurricane Relief Efforts
During times of crisis, such as the devastating hurricanes in the southeast, scammers often take advantage of the kindness and generosity of those looking to help. Stay vigilant and follow these tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) before contributing:Contribute to organizations that are known to you and take time to do your research. Find out how your money will be spent and if it goes to the people the charity says it helps. Never donate to anyone who insists you pay by cash, gift card, wire or cryptocurrency. Be cautious about giving to individuals on crowdfunding sites. Read the […]
Fraudulent Text Messages Appearing to Be from Your Local Bank
Community members are once again reporting fraudulent text messages claiming to be from local banks. In this scam, the text message asks the recipient to confirm a large transaction attempt on their bank account. To report the transaction as fraud, the recipient must click on a link bringing them to a fake webpage that prompts them to provide their online banking username and password. Remember: Never click on a suspicious link you receive by text and do not provide your account or online banking information in response to an unsolicited message. Doing so will put your phone, your accounts and […]
FTC Warns College Students of Unpaid Tuition Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued warnings that scammers are contacting college students or their parents with claims that they work at the student’s college and that a tuition bill needs to be paid immediately. They often use a sense of urgency, saying that the financial aid fell through or that classes will be dropped if the issue is not resolved. It is important to note that the school administration won’t use scare tactics to collect payment over the phone. If you receive a call:Resist the urge to act quickly. Your school will never request payment via wire transfer, […]
‘Oops – Wrong Number’ Text Scams Often Seem Harmless at First
You receive a text from a random number that says “Are you planning on meeting for dinner tonight?” You don’t remember making dinner plans, so you text back with “Sorry, wrong number.” They respond “Ok, sorry to bother you!” Seems innocent at first glance, right? That is how scammers who send these types of text messages are hoping to appear. If you receive a text message from someone you don’t know, it is best to just delete it. Even if you briefly engage, scammers will mark your phone down at active, which could lead to more spam texts and calls. […]
Public Release of PPP Information Puts Loan Recipients at Risk for Scams
If you received funds through the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), your business may be targeted by scammers using publicly available PPP loan information to deceive you. Banks across the country are receiving reports from local businesses who have been contacted by scammers posing as bank employees. The caller may ask to verify an automated clearing house (ACH) transaction and/or request confidential online banking credentials and one-time passcodes. This information is then used to try to access your online banking and make fraudulent transfers. Because PPP loans were funded by the federal government, all information related to them is public record. […]
