Fight Against Fraud!
It's important to know that these scams can happen to anyone and can feel so real and convincing. Education is critical to help protect yourself, family and friends. Talking about fraud can be a big step in the fight against fraud.
Protect yourself online with digital defense
It's no secret by now that fraudsters and scammers are constantly on the Internet looking for unsuspecting victims to exploit. From phishing emails meant to trick you into volunteering your most sensitive information to malware designed to spread and infect your interconnected devices, the threats are endless.
That's why Prairie Community Bank has partnered with Digital Defense to provide our customers with access to their Training, Education and Awareness Module (TEAM). This is a series of free courses that can help you develop a better understanding of what you can do to protect yourself and your online assets.
The Digital Defense courses are designed to educate users about which online threats to look out for, how to identify them, and what you can do to protect yourself. These courses cover topics including:
- Online Shopping
- Home Computer Security
- ATM Safety
- Secure Transactions
- Online Fraud
- Child Safety Online
- Social Networking
- Cryptocurrency
- ...and much, much more!
The Digital Defense TEAM courses are free to access and easy to navigate. Visit the Digital Defense TEAM website today and take your first step to securing yourself online.
Common Scams
- Money-making scams - making money quickly can sound very appealing, but be cautious as Fraudsters will use this as an opportunity to take your money. They can present themselves as a job offer, Pyramid scheme, Investment option or other appealing opportunities.
- Phony prizes and sales - hearing you won cash or other prizes can be exciting. However, approach with caution. What might seem like a moment of winning may become a devastating loss.
- Scams of the heart - Fraudsters really know how to tug at emotional heartstrings. Using manipulation, they have scammed heartbreaking amounts of money from people. Scams with online dating, pet adoption and more...
- Internet Sale Scam - you advertise an item for sale on the internet and a "buyer" agrees to the purchase. The "buyer/fraudster" then proposes to send you more than the stated price, and directs you to send the excess funds to another person for some reason via cashier check, wire transfer or P2P. The "buyer/fraudster's" payment is then returned leaving you with an owed amount to the bank.
- Be cautious of buyers who agree to buy merchandise unseen.
- A sale should never call for you to provide funds back to the buyer or another third-party.
- Never wire or transfer funds on "uncollected" items.
Phishing and spoofing
The most common types of Online Fraud are Phishing and Spoofing. These usually come in the form of fraudulent emails that appear to originate from legitimate sources. These emails ask customers to verify personal information (phishing) or link to counterfeit (or spoofed) Websites that appear real.
Watch for emails or text messages that:
- Urge you to act quickly because your account may be suspended or closed, or to update your personal information.
- Don't address you by name, but use a more generic one like "Dear Valued Customer".
- Ask for account numbers, passwords, Access IDs, or other personal information.
- NEVER allow someone to remotely login to your computer. Scammers try to trick people into clicking on links that will download viruses, spyware, and other unwanted software - often by bundling it with free downloads.
- DON'T click on pop-ups or ads about your computer's performance. Scammers insert unwanted software into pop-up messages or ads that warn that your computer's security or performance.
Prairie Community Bank will NEVER ask for sensitive information, such as account numbers, Usernames or passwords, via email.
Identity theft
Identity Theft occurs when Fraudsters acquire your personal information and use it without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. The recovery from ID theft can be long, exhausting, and devastating. It's one of the most common types of fraud and seems to grow year after year. As technology evolves, so does the opportunity for Fraudsters to collect your information. There are ways to you can help minimize your risk and protect your personal information wisely.
Helpful Tips
- Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or Online unless you've initiated the contact or are sure you know who you are dealing with.
- Don't carry your Social Security card with you; leave it in a secure place.
- Carry only the identification and credit and debit cards that you need.
- Shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards that you are discarding, and credit offers you get in the mail.
- Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If you're planning to be away from home and can't pick up your mail, request a vacation hold with the U.S. Postal Service.
- REPORT FRAUD
if you have become a victim
- Alert your Financial Institution of the situation.
- If you have disclosed sensitive information to unauthorized individuals, you should also contact one of the three major credit bureaus and discuss whether you need to place a fraud alert on your file, which will help prevent thieves from opening a new account in your name. Here is the contact information for each bureau's fraud division:
Equifax
888-766-0008
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
Experian
888-397-3742
PO Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion
800-680-7289
PO Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
- Report Online Fraud/Scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.ic3.gov
- Report Online Fraud/Scams to the Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc.gov
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