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 […]
Consumer Alerts
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. […]
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 […]
