North Shore Bank’s CrimeBusters for October 2022 are: traveling teller supervisor Tracee Born, checking services rep Renee Machado, Kenosha Central personal banker Deb Oatsvall, and Milwaukee Capitol personal banker Nazirah Tate.
Security Saves: This Month’s Highlights
A CUSTOMER HAD APPLIED for a loan online and provided the “loan company” with their online banking credentials, so that the lender could deposit the money. The customer had been told to send the amount of the deposit back to the lender in the form of gift cards — supposedly to show that they would be able to make their payments on time and also to raise their credit score.
Security says: As this article notes, only scammers ask for any kind of payment up front — for “information” or any other purpose. “Legitimate financial institutions may charge a fee for your application, appraisal or credit report, but those charges are deducted from your loan.” Let customers know they should never send gift cards or other prepaid cards to “lenders” — they’re essentially untraceable, and it’s likely the customer will not recoup the money they’ve lost.
’Tis the Season (For Scams)
With the holiday season approaching, many of us are starting to shop for gifts. Today’s technology and retailers make it easy to purchase something online and have it delivered right to your front door.
But this time of year also inevitably sees an increase in fraud and scams — like fake websites listing items at bargain prices, or text messages that say they’re about a package’s delivery status but contain malicious links. Emails or texts that demand an urgent response are a red flag. And when looking for a customer service number or other contact info, it’s best to go through the account you have set up with the merchant or to check their official website (not a link listed with an ad next to it). Never just use the phone number provided in a text or email.
Check out these articles about what else to watch out for, and share them with your customers:
FBI: Tips to Avoid Holiday Scams
BBB: Don’t click on that text! 5 ways to avoid delivery scams
WeLiveSecurity: Parcel delivery scams are on the rise: Do you know what to watch out for?
As always, trust your instincts! If something feels off, contact Security immediately for guidance on how to proceed.
Started by former security officer Peggy Theisen in 2013, the CrimeBuster Awards recognize bank employees who identify security risks and take action to protect North Shore Bank and our customers.