Scam Alert

Money Laundering Scams

Scammers are using threatening and intimidating tactics to accuse you, your spouse or your bank of money laundering. They ask for money to help clear your name or to help them catch your bank. If you receive a call like this, it’s a scam.

This new scam may originate in different ways, but in most cases the scammer finds out where you bank by asking you questions and then they convince you that you, your spouse or your bank are a part of major money laundering scandal and they can help if you give them cash to scan to make sure it is clean and has not been money laundered.

They may even seek your help in catching the bank by asking you to withdraw money from your account for them to review. They assure you they will get the money back to you.

To avoid these types of scams:

• • Never talk with someone you don't know about where you bank.
  • Don't give cash to someone you don't know that is demanding you pay them. 
  • Be careful of scare tactics to cause you to take immediate action because of fear. 
  • Know that you won't be contacted with claims about your bank participating in money laundering. Banks are heavily regulated and government agencies would contact the bank directly if there are any concerns. 

Don't trust unknown callers. Hang up and immediately contact local law enforcement and your bank to make them aware of the calls 

 

• Don't share your personal or payment information with anyone who contacts you.
• Don't purchase gift cards and send them to people you don't know.
• Don't let anyone you don't know download apps to your phone or tell you to download apps on your phone.
• Hang up immediately. You can report this scam by sending us a message. Please don't include any account information.

• Delete it from your phone.
• Change your password for your Online Banking/Mobile App.
• Lock your debit card from future use using Card Control in Online Banking/Mobile App. 
• Sign up for notification alerts on your account. Learn more by clicking here.
• Change any passwords on apps that have your personal or financial information in them.
• Have your phone scrubbed by a professional in case the fraudsters have access to more information through that app.
• Contact our Customer Care Agents to assist you further.

These are VERY sophisticated scams. The fraudsters trick you by providing just enough information to make you think they are legit and that they have access to your account.

 

They may appear to know:

• Partial debit card numbers
• Recent transactions
• Account balances
• Your address and phone number

They will ask:

• For your Online Banking username
• For your debit card information
  • Partial card numbers
  • Expiration date
• You to set a new PIN
  • They’ll verify if you have used that PIN previously
  • They will verify previous PINs
  • They’ll ask you to verify your new PIN
• For your Secure Access Code to access your account
• You to verify information via text and/or email

How the Scamsters Trick You

Scammers use fear and urgency to trick you into sharing your information with them. They appear to know just enough information to get you to share your online banking credentials, password, debit card PIN and more to access your account.

Remember - We will never contact your and request this type of information. 

Here are some red flags from the American Bankers Association. If you receive a request for this information via email, text or a phone call, consider it a red flag and hang up on the call or delete the text or email. It's better to be safe. Learn more on the American Bankers Association, Banks Never Ask That website.

 

Account Notification Services

• Card Control - Know where and when your card is being used and protect it by turning it off if you suspect fraud or if you lose your card. In this particular scam, the fraudster is not targeting your debit card; however if you have alerts turned on you would be notified of any card use, which would allow you to question the suspicious fraud alert text. Learn more about Card Control.
• Account Alerts - We encourage you to set up account alerts so that you'll be notified when transactions occur on your account. Once you are logged in to Online Banking you can set up the following types of account alerts:
  • Security Alerts
  • Account Alerts
  • History Alerts
  • Online Transaction Alerts
  • Reminder Alerts 

• • • Email
    • Phone Call
    • Text Message
    • Secure Message in Online Banking

Banks Never Ask That Scam Awareness 

Fraud Prevention Tips & Other Scam Information