The best way to protect yourself from fraud is to stay vigilant and to be aware of common scams such as these.
Investment Scams
What is Happening?
- Scammers are using phones calls, emails, social media, or a combination of the three to present various investment opportunities, ultimately requesting a transfer of funds (typically a wire)
- Common Red Flags:
- Claims that you can become an investor in a new company, technology or digital currency guaranteeing high returns in a short amount of time
- The message will often pressure you to take immediate action and send money in a short period of time
- These are often offers that seem too good to be true
How to Protect Yourself
- Always treat unsolicited offers with caution
- Do not send money to individuals you have never met – make sure you know and trust who you are sending money to
- Do not blindly accept offers made to you on social media, even if they appear to come from a known source – they may have been hacked
Check Fraud
What is Happening?
- Check fraud resulting from mail theft has surged across the country
- Criminals are stealing checks from mailboxes – including blue USPS mailboxes – and erasing the ink in order to write a higher value to a different recipient
- These checks often have the original client’s authorized signature and are later used to present counterfeit checks or submit unauthorized ACH transactions
- These stolen checks are also duplicated and sold on the dark web
How to Protect Yourself
- Take outgoing mail directly inside the post office for increased security
- Do not let delivered mail sit in your mailbox
- Write checks using gel ink
- Consider other ways to pay, including electronic payments
Report any suspicious activity or fraud to your bank representatives