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. […]
Consumer Alerts
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. […]
We Will Never Ask for Your Online Banking Password or Secure Access Codes – Please Don’t Share Them with Anyone
Our fraud mitigation team has learned that criminals are targeting businesses in our communities by posing as NH-based bank employees. The scammers typically reach out by phone or email and indicate that there is an issue with your accounts or payments. They may even spoof the email address and/or phone numbers to look like the communication is from your bank. As the scenario unfolds, the scammer gains your trust and asks for sensitive online banking information to help resolve the problem. Once they have access to your online banking, a scammer will work quickly – adding themselves and others as […]
Avoiding Foreclosure Scams and Where to Find Help When You Need It
Community members have reported receiving emails indicating their mortgage is in foreclosure and they must vacate their home. They are asked to contact a “relationship manager” by phone to avoid further legal action. Upon outreach, the victim is encouraged to pay a fee and provide confidential information for hardship assistance programs to stop the sale or auction of their home. The United States Treasury reminds consumers that “real help is free” and to contact your mortgage servicer directly if you have trouble making payments. In New Hampshire, information about your mortgage is publicly available in the Registry of Deeds and […]
Keep an Eye Out for Refund Email Phishing Scams
Consider this: You get an email from a computer antivirus company stating that a $487 subscription fee will be charged to your debit card on file. You don’t remember the purchase, but at first glance the email looks legitimate. It states to call the number below within four hours to cancel. In a panic, you call and an agent from “the company” answers. They can offer a refund and they instruct you to download an application for a transaction reversal. They claim that they sent you money, but sent $4,870 instead of $487. The agent starts to panic, saying they […]
Receive a Text Message About an Overdue Toll Charge? It’s likely a Scam
If you travel New England highways, you’re likely no stranger to road tolls – so if you receive a text message indicating you have unpaid or overdue charges, it may not seem too far-fetched. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning drivers of a recent scam involving fake text messages posing as state toll agencies and collection offices targeting consumers in states across the country. In this recent scam, you may receive a text message indicating you owe unpaid toll charges to a tolling agency. To settle your account, you will be instructed to click on a link and […]
Protect Yourself from Card Skimmers
When you pay for gas, use a vending machine or even self-checkout, it is important to be aware of the threat of card skimmers. What are Card Skimmers? Card skimmers are illegal devices installed on card readers to capture the information stored on the card’s magnetic strip. This information includes your name, card number, expiration date and security (CVV) code. In some cases, the fraudster will also add a microscopic camera or key logging device to capture additional information, such as your personal identification number (PIN) or security code. Where are Card Skimmers Most Likely to be Found? Skimmers are […]
MVSB Customers Receiving Fake Fraud Center Calls
Community members have alerted us that they received a fraudulent text message claiming to be the MVSB Fraud Center. The text asks the recipient to a respond Y or N about a fake transaction. If the person who receives the text happens to be a customer and consequently responds with an N, a scammer calls them and tries to gather confidential information. If you receive a text message like this, please delete it and contact us. To verify your account activity, you can log in to online banking 24×7 or call us during regular hours at 603.279.7986 to check recent […]
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. While we are not aware that MVSB customers have been impacted at this time, it’s not uncommon scammers to move on to other area banks as the effectiveness of their scheme begins to dwindle. In this recent 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: […]
Business Check Fraud is On the Rise – How Positive Pay Can Help
Check washing is a type of fraud that occurs when a stolen check is treated with a chemical formula to remove its ink or “wash the check.” Then the check is rewritten with a higher amount, addressed to a new payee, and deposited. In most cases, checks are stolen from the mail before they are washed and rewritten. As several local businesses have let us know that they have been victimized, we want to remind local businesses that one option to protect your company from check fraud is to use Positive Pay. Positive Pay is a popular automated cash service […]
