There’s nothing more important to us than the safety and security of your accounts.
When you trust us with your savings and investments, that means something – and we’re 100% committed to living up to that trust. Here are tips you can use to contribute to your accounts’ safety, and to banking safely in general. It’s best to be aware of frauds that can allow identity thieves to take advantage of your hard-earned money. Together, we can keep your investments where they belong – safe, secure, and right here at 5Point.
2023 Fraud Friday
August/September - Texting scams are on the rise! If you receive a text you were not expecting, be careful not to click any links, download any apps, or give out any type of personal information such as your email, username, card number, or password.
July - Check washing is making a comeback— This is a type of fraud where scammers steal signed checks usually from mailboxes and use chemicals or electronic methods to erase the original payee and amount, then rewrite them to their own benefit.
Fraud Friday Tips:
1. Pay your bills online.
2. Deliver your mail to a post office.
3. Use a pen with blue or black non-erasable gel ink.
4. Do not let delivered mail sit in your mailbox.
5. Monitor your bank account.
6. Report incidents quickly.
June - With the rise in work-from-home jobs, it is important to always trust your instincts, pay attention to detail, and never send money unless you know it's 100% legitimate.
May - Cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to mimic a potential victim’s loved ones in an attempt to extort money.
1. Ask a challenge question or even two – something only your loved one would be able to answer.
2. If possible, have someone call or text the person directly that the scammer is claiming needs help.
3. Letting unknown numbers go to voicemail may help, but if the attackers are able to leave a voicemail with your loved one’s voice, it could sound real.
4. Set your social media profiles to private – many attackers look for voice samples from public social media profiles to generate the convincing AI voice clone.
5. Don’t share your phone number on social media if possible.
April - QR code scams are on the rise! Quick Response Codes are found in more locations than ever; mail ads, real estate sales ads, emails, parking meters, restaurants, etc. The scam occurs when a fake QR code that looks legitimate brings you to a fake site that also looks legitimate.
•see if the QR code will peel off (sticker) revealing another QR code underneath – the overlay QR code is likely to be fraudulent
•be suspicious if, after scanning a QR code, the site asks for a password or login info. An example is restaurant menus - if it asks for a name and password after scanning the code (to get a discount), ask the waiter/waitress why it is doing that to confirm it is legit before you enter your info
•do not scan a randomly found QR code
•consider using antivirus software that offers QR readers with added security that can check the safety of a code before you open the link
March - Phone number spoofing is when a Caller ID displays a phone number or name to make it look like the call you are receiving is from a different person or business. Be skeptical of text messages or callers that address you with generic greetings instead of using your real name. If you get a call from someone representing a company and you are suspicious, hang up! Call back the phone number on the company's website to verify the caller. Pay attention to the caller's tone of voice and don't answer any questions, especially regarding your personal information. This includes your social security number, mother's maiden name, passwords, and debit/credit card numbers. Alway hang up if you are suspicious of a caller!
February - Often scams are presented as urgent situations requiring immediate action. If you receive threats or hostility for asking questions, that’s a sign they are a scammer.
January - 5Point will NEVER call and ask for your online banking login information. Do not provide account numbers, card numbers, or login information over the phone. If you’re suspicious during a call, hang up and call us at 1.800.825.8829.