Fraud Protection
Your Security Is Our Priority
We understand that in today's digital age, fraud can happen to anyone. We are committed to safeguarding your financial information and helping you stay protected against fraud. Here you'll find useful tips, tools, and resources to help you recognize, prevent, and respond to fraudulent activities.
How We Protect You
Fraud Monitoring
Our advanced fraud detection system constantly monitors your transactions for any unusual activity. If we spot something out of the ordinary, we'll alert you immediately, so you can take action quickly.
Real-Time Alerts
Stay in the know with instant notifications about your account activity. Receive text or email alerts whenever there's a large purchase, a new login, or other potentially suspicious behavior.
Multi-Factor Authentication
We utilize state-of-the-art encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and secure login methods to protect your personal information and prevent unauthorized access.
Control Your Cards on Your Terms
Our CardProtect tool allows you to control and monitor your debit and credit cards, giving you the ability to turn your cards on/off at your discretion, add alerts, set spending limits based on location, amount, merchant type or transaction type, and more.
Regularly Clear Your Browser History
Regularly clearing your browsing history helps protect your online security and reduces the risk of cyber threats. By removing stored data like visited websites, cookies, and cached files, you limit what hackers can learn about your online activity - keeping your personal information safer.
Common Types of Fraud
The best line of defense in preventing fraud is being able to detect it. Learn about the most common scams and how you can spot them.
Phishing
Phishing is a type of cyber-attack where criminals impersonate legitimate organizations to steal sensitive information.
Romance Scams
Romance scams involve a fraudster pretending to be romantically interested in someone to exploit them financially.
Lottery Scams
Lottery scams involve fraudulent communications claiming you’ve won a lottery or sweepstakes that you didn't enter.
Grandparent Scams
Occur when fraudsters impersonate a grandchild or family member in distress urgently needing money.
Cryptocurrency Fraud
Cryptocurrency fraud refers to schemes that trick individuals into investing in illegitimate or fake crypto opportunities.
What to do if you suspect fraud
- Notify your bank and credit card issuers immediately so they can close your accounts.
- Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov
- Contact the fraud unit of the three credit reporting agencies. Place a fraud alert on your credit report and consider placing a credit freeze so the criminal can’t open new accounts. The fraud unit numbers are:
- Equifax: (866) 349-5191
- Experian: (888) 397-3742
- TransUnion: (800) 680-7289
- File a police report.
- Make sure to maintain a log of all the contacts you make with authorities regarding the matter. Write down names, titles and phone numbers in case you need to contact them again or refer to them in future correspondence.
To learn more about fraud and identity theft prevention, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s scam alerts page at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts.
Puppy Scams on the Rise this Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, many families dream of welcoming a new furry friend into their homes. Puppies are a popular and heartwarming gift, but the increased demand during this time of year also creates opportunities for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers. We value your security and want to help you recognize and avoid puppy scams this Christmas.
What Are Puppy Scams?
Puppy scams occur when fraudsters pose as legitimate pet breeders or sellers online. They often lure victims with cute puppy photos and promises of the perfect pet, only to demand payment for a dog that doesn’t exist. Victims are frequently asked to send money upfront for the dog, transportation fees, or other fabricated expenses. Once payment is made, the scammer disappears, leaving the victim without their money—or their puppy.
Common Signs of a Puppy Scam
- Too-good-to-be-true prices: Scammers often advertise purebred puppies at significantly lower prices than what a legitimate breeder would charge.
- Pressure to act quickly: Fraudsters may use urgency tactics, claiming the puppy will be sold to someone else unless you pay immediately.
- Request for payment via untraceable methods: Be cautious if the seller asks for payment through wire transfers, gift cards, or payment apps like Venmo or CashApp.
- Lack of transparency: Scammers may avoid providing detailed information about the puppy, their breeding practices, or their location.
- No in-person meetings: They may make excuses to avoid meeting you or allowing you to see the puppy in person before you purchase.
Tips to Protect Yourself
Here are practical steps to ensure your puppy search is both joyful and scam-free:
- Do your research: Verify the breeder or seller’s credentials by reading reviews, checking references, and confirming their affiliation with recognized breed organizations.
- Avoid upfront payments: Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person or whose credentials you haven’t verified.
- Request a video call: Ask the seller to show the puppy live via video. This can help you confirm that the puppy exists and matches the pictures.
- Use secure payment methods: Credit cards and PayPal often offer buyer protections that can help recover funds in case of fraud.
- Visit in person: Whenever possible, visit the breeder or seller’s location to meet the puppy and assess the conditions firsthand.
- Be skeptical of deals: If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a puppy scam, act quickly:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov.
- Contact your bank or payment provider to attempt to reverse the transaction.
- Share your experience with the Better Business Bureau to warn others.
Protecting Your Financial Well-Being
Your security is our priority. This holiday season, stay vigilant against scams and take steps to protect your financial well-being. If you have questions about potential fraud or need advice, our team is here to help.
Bringing a new pet into your family is an exciting and rewarding experience. By taking the time to research and exercise caution, you can ensure that your holiday season is filled with joy, not disappointment.
