Identity theft information

Including your Social Security number, account numbers or passwords, over the phone or the Internet if you did not initiate the contact.

If you believe it is fraudulent. It may contain a virus that can contaminate your computer.

Or caller who suggests dire consequences if you do not immediately provide or verify financial information.

Go to the company’s Website by typing in the site address directly or using a page you have previously book marked, instead of a link provided in the e-mail.

Alert your financial institution. Place fraud alerts on your credit files. Monitor your credit files and account statements closely.

The IRS identified a new scam in which cybercriminals have stolen client data from tax professionals and filed fraudulent refunds using real taxpayer information, including bank account and routing information for direct deposit. The fraudster then contacts the taxpayer posing as an employee of a debt collection agency working on behalf of the IRS. They ask the taxpayer to take certain steps to return the refund, but actually, the refund goes to the criminals.

Important, anytime you get a large deposit that is not yours, please call us first!

Don’t mail out your checks or gift cards in your regular mailbox. Use the blue boxes, post office, and maybe your work outgoing mail. We have seen increase in washed checks, stolen gift cards, and duplicated checks.

If you answer a call from an unfamiliar caller and this is the first thing you hear, “Can you hear me?” hang up immediately. Do not reply! CBS News reports that potential hackers on the other end of the line can record your response and use it to authorize charges via credit cards or bills. They only need to capture your voice uttering the word “yes” to be successful, which means any yes or no question can work. To lower your risk, don’t answer calls from unfamiliar numbers, even if they’re from a familiar area code — and/or hang up immediately if you’re asked a yes or no question. And if you’ve already received this type of call? Carefully monitor your credit and debit card charges — and your credit reports.

Stay away from job postings wanting you to make deposits or purchase cashier checks for money. You should not give personal information or make deposits for strangers. You can Lose a Lot of money and become a victim of identity theft. Spend some time researching the jobs/companies from other search engines. Sometimes criminals use real company names and Logos but post fake jobs.

Wanting you to deposit cashier checks in order to transfer money or send them a check back
If you have to pay up-front for “equipment or training”
They need your bank account for direct deposit
Quick cash or high pay for an easy job
The company only has a PO Box, no street address
The company name is not in the URL or email address

Another scam is people will offer to buy an item you have for sell with a cashier or bank check that is over the amount of the agreed sale price. They will ask for cash back for the difference of the check. When the check does not clear, you just paid the criminals to steal your sale item. Before accepting or depositing checks you can call the financial institution for authenticity.

This device can be hidden on ATMs and gas station pumps to steal your debit and credit card information. Some of them even have hidden cameras to catch you entering your PIN. Covering the keyboard as you enter your PIN is a simple way to help avoid theft. Never give your PIN to anyone, and do not use any ATM with a card reader that appears altered.

Thieves are now texting people posing as their financial institution, saying that their cards have been frozen, and in order to reactivate them, they need to input their account
information immediately. Don't do this. Instead, contact us directly or the number on the back of your card to make sure you are not being contacted by a fraudster.