Fraudsters are out in full force during this challenging times. Protect yourself with knowledge! If you can answer “YES” to any of the following questions, scammers could be targeting you:
- You got an official check, money order, business check, personal check, etc., for something you sold online.
- You’re asked to send an official check, money order, business check, or personal check for something you purchased online.
- You’re asked to send a wire transfer, money order, or are asked to return any part of a negotiable item proceeds to a third party.
- You have any reason to suspect that an official check, money order, business check, or personal check you receive is not valid.
- If an official check, money order, business check, or personal check is from a business or individual other than the person buying your item or product.
- The amount of the official check, money order, business check, or personal check is more than the item price.
- You received a official check, money order, business check, or personal check via an overnight delivery service.
- The official check, money order, business check, or personal check, is for communicating with someone by email.
- You won a lottery you didn’t enter.
- You are being paid for transferring money through your account.
- You were told to wire, send, or ship money to a large U.S. city or to another country, such as Canada, England, or Nigeria, as soon as possible.
- You have been asked to pay to receive a deposit from another country such as Canada, England, or Nigeria.
- You responded to an email requesting you to confirm, update, or provide your account information.
- You are being asked to open an account for a job offer you received online.
Don’t Become a Victim!
- If an official check, money order, business check, or personal check is returned, you’ll be responsible for the bad check.
- We aren’t able to tell you when a official check, money order, business check, or personal check you deposit will clear.
- Even when we lift a “hold” on funds from a deposited negotiable instrument, that does not mean the item has cleared.
- If funds are held by a third party, be sure it is a party you trust.
- Always exercise extreme caution when conducting business with strangers.
If you fear you are involved in a fraud scam, contact us at TFNB immediately. We’re here to help you. If you believe you may have already fallen victim to a fraud scam, please visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to file a complaint.
