Consumer Alerts

Security State Bank does not call our customers asking for your personal or bank account information.

Please be aware that Security State Bank does not call our customers asking for your personal or bank account information.  There have been reports of scams where an individual calls citizens in the area and claims they are from their local Banking Institution.  The caller ID appears to show a local number; even bank phone numbers are being spoofed by scammers.  The person asks them to confirm their banking information (Name/Date of Birth/Address/Phone Number/Account Numbers), and then requests that they reply to a text message the scammer is sending them.  DO NOT FALL FOR THIS!  If you receive a call and question the validity of the person on the line or the reason for their call, please hang up and call your local bank directly to confirm it is truly them trying to reach you.  Stay diligent and protect your identity.

Don’t be a Victim – Know the Scams. 

The following information is provided to help you recognize and prevent scams and fraud.  Help protect others by sharing this information with your family, friends, and co-workers.

Family Emergency Scam

Someone calls or contacts you saying they’re a family member or close friend. They say they need money to get out of trouble. Not so fast. Is there really an emergency? Is that really your family or friend calling? It could be a scammer.

Example of a Family Emergency Scam Call

Scammer:  Hi Grandpa, it’s me.

Grandpa: Sebastian?  Is that you?

Scammer: Yes, it’s me, Sebastian. Grandpa I’m in trouble and I need money for bail.

Grandpa: What happened?

Scammer: Please don’t tell Mom or Dad.  I’ll get in so much trouble.  Please help me!

And once the scammer makes you think they’re your grandson and in trouble, they pressure you to quickly send them money.  But it’s all a scam.  Your family member was never in trouble.  Slow down. Verify.

The scammer may already know a lot about you or the person they’re pretending to be. They may know your name, where you live, and other information they could have found on social media sites or by hacking a family member’s email. And sometimes they simply guess.  But they always say you have to pay right away by wiring money through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram, sending cryptocurrency, using a payment app, or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the numbers on the back. Here are other tactics scammers use in fake emergency scams:

• Scammers might pretend to be an “authority figure,” like a fake lawyer, police officer, or doctor working with your family member. It makes them sound more convincing, and they hope it scares you.
• Some scammers use artificial intelligence (AI) to clone your loved one’s voice. With a short audio clip — maybe from content posted online — and a voice-cloning program, a scammer could call you and sound just like your family member.

What Do Fake Emergency Scams Have In Common?

• The scammer will say it’s urgent and that you’re the only one who can help.
• The scammer might tell you it’s important to keep it secret. They don’t want you talking to other family members and friends and realizing it’s a scam.
• The scammers will play with your emotions. They’re counting on you to act quickly to help your family or friend. And they’re counting on you to pay without stopping to check out whether there’s really an emergency. If you get a call like this, you can be sure this is a scam.

What To Do If You Get a Call About a Family Emergency

If someone calls or sends a message claiming to be a family member or a friend desperate for money, don’t trust the voice on the line — even if it sounds like your family member or friend. Scammers are good at faking it. Here’s what to do to verify the person’s identity:

• Resist the pressure to react and send money immediately. Hang up — or tell the person you’ll call them right back. If you don’t feel comfortable hanging up, try asking a question only the real person would know the answer to, like “Where did you spend Thanksgiving last year?”
• Use a phone number you know is right to call or message the family member or friend who (supposedly) contacted you. Ask them if they’re really in trouble.
• Call someone else in your family or circle of friends, even if the caller said to keep it a secret — or sounds like a loved one. Do that especially if you can’t reach the friend or family member who’s supposed to be in trouble. A trusted person can help you figure out whether the story is true.

If You Sent Money to a Scammer

Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way. They often insist that you can only pay in ways that make it tough to get your money back — by wiring money through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram, sending cryptocurrency, using a payment app, or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the numbers on the back. These transfers are very difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.

If you paid a scammer, your money might be gone already. No matter how you paid, it’s always worth asking the company you used to send the money if there’s a way to get it back.

Sweetheart Scam

Scammers know millions of people use online dating sites.  They are there, too, hiding behind fake profiles.

Signs of a Sweetheart Scam:

• Professes love quickly.
• Claims to be from the U.S., but is overseas for business or military service.
• Asks for money, and lures you off the dating site.
• Claims to need money — for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel.
• Plans to visit, but can’t because of an emergency.

What to do:

• Slow down — and talk to someone you trust.  Don’t let a scammer rush you.
• Never wire money, put money on a gift or cash reload card, or send cash to an online love interest.  You won’t get it back.
• Contact your bank right away if you think you’ve sent money to a scammer.
• Report your experience to:
  • The online dating site
  • Federal Trade Commission:  ftc.gov/complaint
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation:  ic3.gov

Money Transfer Scams

U.S. consumers lose millions of dollars each year to fraudsters using money transfers as part of their scams.  The initial hook can take many forms.  In every case, the scam ends the same way — you are asked to wire money, put money on a gift or cash reload card, or send cash.  And once you do, it’s usually gone for good.

Common Scams:

• Fake lotteries and sweepstakes:  You get a card, a call, or an email telling you that you won!  Maybe it’s a trip or a prize, a lottery or a sweepstakes.  The person calling is so excited and can’t wait for you to get your winnings.  But here’s what happens next:  they tell you there’s a fee, some taxes, or customs duties to pay.  And then they ask you to wire money or they ask for your credit card number or bank account information.  Either way, you lose money instead of winning it.  You don’t ever get that big prize.  Instead, you get more requests for money, and more promises that you won big.
  • How to protect yourself: Keep your money – and your information – to yourself.  Never wire money to anyone who asks you to.  And never share your financial information with someone who contacts you and claims to need it.
• “Relatives” in need of help:  You receive a desperate phone call, email, or even an instant message from someone posing as a grandchild or a friend.  He was arrested overseas.  She was mugged.  Please send money right away.  Except it’s not who you think — it’s a con artist.
  • How to protect yourself:  Call the friend or relative claiming to need your help to confirm whether their story is true, using a phone number you know to be genuine.  If you aren’t able to contact the person, call other friends or family members to confirm the situation.  Refuse to send money via wire transfer.
• Secret shopper jobs:  After responding to a “help wanted” ad to work as secret shopper, your first assignment is to wire money.  You are sent a phony check with instructions to keep some for payment for your work and wire the rest.
  • How to protect yourself:  Never accept a mystery shopping job that requires a wire transfer or one that requires that you pay money or use your own bank account.  Also be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who guarantee a job, charge a fee, sell directories or companies that provide mystery shoppers, or advertise in a “help wanted” section or by email.

Are you a Money Mule? 

Criminals use money laundering techniques to conceal the identity, source, and destination of illicitly obtained money.  To do this, they rely on often unsuspecting money mules to transfer proceeds from their crimes without being detected by law enforcement.  Money mules are individuals who transfer illegally obtained money on behalf of others using bank accounts, wire transfers, money orders, or checks.

Criminals create elaborate stories to assume false identities.  Whether pretending to be entrepreneurs or bachelors looking for romance, their end game is to gain the trust of unsuspecting individuals and use them as money mules.  There are a few things you should know about common methods used by criminals to recruit money mules.

Employment

• You receive an offer to make money quickly and with little effort.
• You are asked to create a company and a business bank account.
• Your duties are limited to opening accounts, and receiving and sending money.
• The employment offer and other communications are poorly written and include spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
• The employer does not want to provide you a copy of a business permit upon request.

Romance

• You meet an individual on an online dating or social media platform.
• Your romantic partner claims to be stationed overseas as a member of the U.S. military, reside in another state, or live abroad due to personal reasons or visa issues.
• Your romantic partner claims to be unable to open a bank account and asks to use yours to transfer money.
• You buy a plane ticket for your romantic partner to visit you, but he or she doesn’t arrive because immigration or personal issues prevent him or her from traveling.
• Your romantic partner urgently needs to transfer money because of an unexpected emergency.
• Your romantic partner’s friend contacts you on behalf of your romantic partner to ask for money because of an unexpected emergency.

How to Protect Yourself from Becoming a Money Mule

• Never share your bank account or other personally identifiable information with others.
• Never open a joint account with anyone other than close family.
• Never respond to an offer to earn quick and easy money.
• Never agree to receive and send money on behalf of others.

For more information, please visit www.secretservice.gov

Tech Support Scams

During the pandemic, we’re doing more online — working, connecting with family and friends, shopping, and banking. So, if something goes wrong with your device you want to fix it right away. Scammers are preying on this, offering phony tech support services. Here’s what you should know about Tech Support Scams.

How to spot Tech Support Scams

Scammers take advantage of your reasonable concerns about viruses and other threats, but their real goal isn’t to protect your computer. Instead, they want to sell you useless services, steal your credit card number, or install malware, which lets them see everything on your computer.  Following are three common Tech Support Scam scenarios:

Scenario #1: Unsolicited call from tech support

You get a call from someone who says he’s a computer technician. Maybe he claims to be from a well-known company. He says there are viruses or other malware on your computer to trick you into giving him remote access to your computer or buying software you don’t need. He may ask you to pay by gift card or wire transfer.

Scenario #2: Unknown pop-up appears on your screen

A pop-up window appears on your computer screen with a message warning of a security issue on your computer and tells you to call a phone number to get help. The person who answers may pretend to run a diagnostic test and claim to identify more problems.

Scenario #3: Unsolicited email about a suspended account

You get an email saying your account has been suspended. In a recent twist, scammers are sending emails saying your Zoom account has been suspended or you missed a meeting. If you click on the link, it will install malware allowing the scammers to see what’s on your computer.

 Four tips to protect against Tech Support Scams

• Never give control of your computer to someone who contacts you out-of-the-blue. Criminals can spoof phone numbers, so you can’t rely on Caller ID. Avoid giving anyone you don’t know access to your computer, or your credit card information.
• Don’t click links in unsolicited pop-ups or emails. If an unknown pop-up appears on your screen, avoid clicking on any links. The same is true for unsolicited emails. Instead, navigate to the company’s site by typing in their URL.
• Maintain your anti-virus software. Use trusted anti-virus security software and make sure to update it regularly.
• Recognize legitimate tech companies. Legitimate companies won’t contact you by phone, email or text message to say there’s a problem with your computer. Security pop-up warnings from real tech companies won’t ask you to call a phone number.

—CFPB Blog – What You Should Know About Tech Support Scams 01.12.2021

The following websites provide additional information on current consumer alerts and scams.

FDIC Consumer News and Information
FDIC Consumer Protection
Health Insurance Marketplace Fraud
IRS Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts
Federal Trade Commision Scam Alerts
Washington State Department of Financial Institutions

Beware of “Phishing” events. Keep your information secure and do not share it. 

Phishing events occur when a fraudster attempts to steal a person’s data, mainly login credentials and account or card information. The fraudster then uses this information to process fraudulent account or card transactions or ATM withdrawals. Fraudsters often utilize social media or information bought on the Dark Web to initiate scams.

An example of how a cardholder Phishing Scam works:

• The fraudster gathers information from social media to make the fraud more believable.
• Cardholder receives a phone call from the fraudster posing as a financial institution employee.
  • Fraudsters often spoof phone numbers from the financial institution when contacting the victim, making it seem legitimate.
• Fraudster advises cardholder that they have fraud attempts on their card and they will receive a text with a case number.
  • While on the phone, the fraudster will perform a transaction they know will generate a fraud alert.
  • When the cardholder receives the case number, the fraudster asks for the case number over the phone so the card can be permanently blocked. Instead, the fraudster is using the case number to call into the Fraud Department and validate the activity as valid, so they can continue to use the card fraudulently.
• The fraudster may suggest the cardholder transfer money into their checking account from savings to make it “safer,” thereby giving the fraudster access to more money.
• The cardholder thinks the fraud was caught and stopped, while the fraudster is busy committing more fraudulent transactions and stealing more money.

As a reminder, Security State Bank will never contact our customers to ask for the following:

• Account Number/Card Number
• CVV
• PIN
• Passwords
• Social Security Number
• Online Banking Credentials

Security State Bank will never advise a cardholder to transfer money or withdraw money. If any information concerning suspicious activity is texted to the cardholder, our customers are not called and asked for information. When cardholders call into the Fraud Department to validate suspicious transactions, the Fraud Department will request the case number to authenticate them. The cardholder should always reply NO if they are unaware of the transactions in question received via a text or email, no matter what direction has been given to them.

If you are concerned about the validity of an email, text, or phone call you receive concerning your Security State Bank account or card information, please contact your local branch or call our Customer Care Center at 360.736.0763 or 800.242.2036 for assistance.

Beware of ATM Skimming Devices

Thieves are installing high-tech tools called “skimmers” on ATM machines in order to capture a person’s account information and steal their money.  The scam involves attaching devices to ATM machines that read the debit and credit card information when the card is swiped.  A camera may also be installed nearby to capture the person’s PIN, giving thieves everything they need to access that person’s account.  Skimming devices are usually only left in place for a short period of time and thus are not even securely fastened to the targeted ATM machine.  According to the FBI, criminals have become adept at creating skimming devices that look as if they are an original part of the ATM.

While ATMs in airports, gas stations, convenience stores and other well-traveled public places are most vulnerable to these devices, ATM skimming has happened locally here in Lewis County and throughout the northwest.

What you can do to avoid becoming a victim of skimming:

• Notice Your Surroundings.  ATM users should check machines for anything that looks out of place before inserting/swiping their card.  Be suspicious if you see anything loose, crooked, or damaged, or if you notice scratches or adhesive/tape residue.  Walk away from an ATM that looks suspicious or if you notice someone watching you.  Report this to the ATM operator or nearby law enforcement.
• Cover Your PIN.  When entering your PIN, block the keypad with your other hand to prevent a possible hidden camera from recording your number.
• If Your Card Isn’t Returned. If your card isn’t returned after the transaction or after hitting “cancel”, immediately contact the financial institution that issued the card.
• Review Your Account Statements. Regularly review your account statements and report unauthorized withdrawals or purchases right away to your bank or credit card company.