Beware Of Scams
Nowadays, it is often common to fall victim to a scam, which is why we want to ensure our community of bankers are extra cautious regarding exchanges. You could receive a call, or maybe an email, stating you’ve won a prize. Or perhaps claiming to be from a family member or a government official. Whatever the story may be, it usually requires you to wire money, and the professionals at Provident State Bank suggest you think twice in these instances. According to the Federal Trade Commission*, there have been a substantial amount of complaints stemming from imposters. If you find yourself in an exchange that seems urgent or phony, we suggest you take a few protocols.
First, stop and fully assess the situation before you wire any money. If you are not receiving the answers you need or want, call the person who is trying to reach you, someone you trust, or the government agency. Please note that no government agency will ever ask you to wire funds. There are four types of imposter scams, which include: Tech Support Scams, IRS Imposter Scams, Online Dating Scams, and Grandkid Scams.
- Tech Support Scams: These scammers may sound like they are from a well-known company like Apple or Microsoft. They may actually want to steal your credit card number, sell you useless services, or try to gain access to your computer so they can see all of your information.
- IRS Scams: The real IRS would never ask you to pay with prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or credit cards over the phone. They may have your social security number, and threaten to sue, deport, arrest, or revoke your license, but may not really be the IRS. If you have tax questions, call the Internal Revenue Service or visit their official website.
- Online Dating Scams: If you meet someone special through an online dating site, don’t be so soon to trust if money is being exchanged. If love turns into asking for money, be mindful that scammers make fake dating profiles with stolen identities, and will go as far as to fake wedding plans before vanishing with your money.
- Grandkid Scams: Does “Grandma, I need money for bills,” sound familiar? You may get a call or email with this or some other kind of urgent trouble that can appear convincing. Do not send money before taking the time to think, “Is this fraud?”, and call a family member or someone you trust.
Ask Your Local Bank About Imposter Fraud
By learning more about what to expect, you can better prepare for preventing fraud. Here at PSB, we encourage you to protect against fraud and pass this information along to a friend, because the chances are you know someone who has experienced an imposter scam. Speak with the staff at your local bank branch if you have further questions regarding imposter fraud.
*See your local bank for more details