Spot fraud instantly

Four signs it's fraud 

A routine activity like opening an email or text message, answering a call, or visiting a website can leave you vulnerable. Recognizing fraud and scams isn’t always easy, but knowing what to look for can help you avoid becoming a victim. 

  1. Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know. Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government. They might use a real name, like the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations. They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID. So the name and number you see might not be real.
  2. Scammers say there's a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.
    - You're in trouble with the government.
    - You owe money.
    - Someone in your family had an emergency.
    - There's a virus on your computer.
    - There's a problem with one of your accounts and that you need to verify some information.
    - You won money in a lottery or sweepstakes but have to pay a fee to get it.
  3. Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately. Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. If you're on the phone, they might tell you not to hang up so you can't check out their story. They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver's or business license, or deport you. They might say your computer is about to be corrupted.
  4. Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way. They often insist that you pay by sending money through a money transfer company, cryptocurrency ATM, or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back.

Common fraud schemes
Quick tips to identify and protect yourself

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of daily activities and overlook important details. However, it’s essential to take a step back, slow down, and remain vigilant about fraud schemes. 

Check fraud

What to look for: Altered checks. Pay close attention to see if areas on the check look altered, such as the amount, the payee's name, or a forged signature. 

How to protect yourself: Use digital payment methods, such as bill pay, when possible instead of writing checks. Regularly check your bank statements for unauthorized transactions. Avoid leaving outgoing checks in your mailbox. Instead drop them off at a post office or use a secure mailbox. Use a black gel pen, which is harder to alter, and make sure to fill out checks completely. 

Micro-deposit scam

What to look for: Scammers use software to generate random account numbers then link them to fraudulent accounts. They initiate tiny deposits (usually less than $1) to these accounts to see if they hit a valid one. If you unknowingly verify these deposits, it signals the scammer that the account is active and valid. Once verified, scammers can use additional information to withdraw and potentially drain your account(s).

How to protect yourself: Monitor your accounts regularily. If you recieve a micro-deposit from an unknown source, do not verify it. If you see suspicious activity, notify your bank immediately and report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you suspect you've been a target. 

Malicious pop-ups

What to look for: Fake security alerts that mimic legitimate security warnings, urging you to download software or a call a support number. Some malicious pop-ups will ask you to enter sensitive data. Adware malware can generate pop-ups to display ads, often redirecting you to malicious websites. 

How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system, browser, and security software up to date. Adjust your browser settings to block pop-ups and prevent automatic downloads. Install reputable ad-blocking extensions to reduce the number of pop-ups you encounter. Only download software from trusted sources and avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments. Run regular scans with your antivirus software to detect and remove any malware. Remember, when in doubt, don't click!

Smishing

What to look for: As with fraudulent emails, fraudulent text messages often suggest urgent action, attempting to get you to act quickly before you have time to carefully read and examine the message. They often don't address you by name and contain obvious grammar and/or spelling errors.

How to protect yourself: Never click a link in a suspicious text message: it could result in malware being loaded to your phone that sends your personal information to a scammer. Visit the FT at https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts to learn more about text message spam.

Malware attack

What to look for: Malware often hides to avoid detection. Signs of infection include a slow computer, repeated error messages, strange behavior like spontaneous reboots, failure to shut down, or unexpected web pages and programs appearing.

How to protect yourself: Many attacks can be avoided with the help of some basic online safety tips, installing anti-virus and anti-spyware security software, and by using a firewall to protect your computer. Remember to keep your devices updated with the latest security patches. 

Bank impersonation 

What is it: Bank impersonation scammers, pretending to be security departments at banks, send out text messages, emails and robocalls that warn people of unusual, possibly fraudulent activity that requires immediate action.

How to protect yourself: Call Customer Service or log into your online banking account to verify alerts and transactions. Scammers can use technological tricks to display actual bank phone numbers or even the name of the bank.

Tech support scams

What is it: Scammers imitate legitimate tech support services and trick their victims into sending payments, often in the form of gift cards or money transfers, to "reactivate" services. This is one of the most popular scams, as nearly 20,000 people fell victim to this style of scam.

How to protect yourself: If it seems wrong, it probably is. Always verify the legitimacy of the support service by contacting the company directly using official contact information. Be cautious of pop-up messages or emails claiming urgent issues, and avoid clicking on suspicious links.

Phishing or email fraud

What to look for: Emails emphasizing urgency, attempting to get you to act quickly before you have time to carefully read and examine the message. They often don't address you by name and contain obvious grammar and/or spelling errors.

How to protect yourself: If you hover over a link in a fraudulent email (don't click it), it will usually show you that it's pointing to a site different from the one stated in the message. The goal is to get you to provide personal information or open an attachment that may be malicious. 

Phone scams or vishing

What to look for: A call from someone who is trying to get money or sensitive information from you. Scammers can spoof the number they're calling from so that it seems realistic. The caller may claim to be from a high-profile organization like the IRS or your bank.

How to protect yourself: Always remember that a Mechanics Bank representative will never call you and ask for your debit card number, PIN, or your Online Banking Password. The caller may even have bits of information about you that are true or at least familiar so be vigilant.

Mechanics Bank will never email or text you to ask you to tell us your account number, password, social security number, debit/credit card number, PIN or other personal information.

Report Fraud

If you find any suspicious activity with your Mechanics Bank accounts or suspect fraud, please report it immediately to us first by calling toll free: 800.797.6324. Next, take the proper steps to report with the three major credit reporting agencies and your local law enforcement. 

How to report