Scams and Cyber Threats

Wire transfers are an immediate form of payment that deposit money directly into another person's account and are typically irreversible, even if fraud is involved.

Digital payments allow you to send money to another person without using their bank account number. Sending money using Zelle^®, or third party payment apps like CashApp^® or Venmo^® is like sending cash.

Be on the lookout for bank imposters who tell you to send a wire to another account or person in order to protect your money. We'll never ask you to send money to yourself or anyone else. Learn more about the science behind digital payment scams, presented by Vox and Zelle^®.

Bank imposters may also ask for your access codes so they can sign on to your account and enroll you in wires services, often without your knowledge, to steal money from your account. NEVER share your access code to verify an account, receive a refund, or for any other reason. Learn more about bank imposter scams.

For small business customers, Direct Pay is a convenient way to set up recurring or one-time payments to vendors, employees, contractors, and others that go directly into their checking or savings accounts.

Scammers may ask you to pay them using a gift card or prepaid card because they are like cash. If you are ever asked to pay or donate in the form of a gift card or prepaid card—it’s a scam.

Cryptocurrency is digital money that is not backed by the U.S. government or any bank, and once sent, that transaction is irreversible. 

As part of a new job or romance scam, you could be asked to make a payment or send money using cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ether. Be wary of unexpected requests to send money using cryptocurrency.

Scammers may send you a fake check or make a deposit into your account. Once the deposit has been made, you are asked to send all or a part of it back. After you send the money, you find out that the check or deposit is fraudulent.

Be aware: You are responsible for the full amount of the check you deposited and associated check fees if it is returned plus any money you send a scammer. It may typically take up to 10 business days for a check to be discovered as fraudulent and returned to your bank. (This varies by state and can take up to a few years.)

After obtaining your debit or credit card number through a scam or data breach, scammers may use it to make unauthorized purchases. Set up alerts on your accounts to help you track your transactions and spot unusual account activity so you can contact us quickly if something doesn't look right.

QR codes can be a quick and easy way to pay for goods or services without the hassle of entering a URL into your browser or handing over your physical card.

It’s convenient, but use caution when scanning QR codes to pay for items or services. If something doesn’t feel right when using a QR code to pay, ask to pay a different way. Be aware that scammers may use QR codes to send you to a malicious site, or fake website where they can steal your payment information.

You see a post about making money fast. These scammers may seek access to your debit card and PIN or the username and password to your bank account in order to deposit fake checks and withdraw money.

Next, you're asked to report your card lost or stolen so that your money can be reimbursed by your bank. The scammers then promise you a share of the stolen funds.

Learn more about common social media scams to protect yourself.

Tip: Knowingly depositing bad checks is illegal and can result in fines and criminal charges.

You receive a call, text, email, or social media message from someone that appears to be legitimate because the scammer has some specific information about you, such as your name and details about your friends and family. 

Using this method, scammers can trick you into believing they are a friend or family member, claiming to need money for an emergency, such as posting bail, paying a hospital bill, or being detained at an airport. Scammers may pressure you to send money immediately through a gift card, wire transfer, by sending cash, or other payment service, such as Zelle^®.

Tip: Contact your friend or family member directly to confirm the caller's story.

You receive a phone call, email, or letter stating you have won a lottery or sweepstakes. Scammers require you to pay a fee to receive the prize to avoid taxes or additional fees.

Tip: Legitimate lotteries pay taxes directly to the government rather than being reimbursed from winners’ proceeds. It is also against U.S. law to play a foreign lottery.

You see a rental offer that seems too good to be true. The monthly rent is very affordable, and the neighborhood is perfect.

Be careful before you act. Rental scammers can pose as landlords to steal from unsuspecting renters. It’s possible that the rental property isn’t available or doesn’t exist.

To stay safe, never make a payment or share personal information until you do an online search of the rental company and physically inspect the inside of the property.

Also, be on high alert if you are asked to make a payment using cash, a wire transfer, or gift cards. These are scam warning signs.

You see an offer from a company that guarantees you a scholarship or free financial aid for college. Be wary because students can be targets for scholarship and financial aid scams. 

These scams often involve guaranteed scholarships or grants, requests for upfront fees, or attempts to fraudulently obtain personal information.  

To avoid these scams, only apply for scholarships and financial aid through trusted sources such as your college, government websites, or other organizations you recognize. In addition, never pay a fee to receive a scholarship or to apply for financial aid.  

Visit CollegeSTEPS^® to learn more.

You receive a call, text, email, or knock on the door alerting you that one of your utilities is going to be cut off unless you act now.  

When you’re asked to act immediately, do the opposite. Go slow and verify that the request is legitimate. Utility scams often include fake bills or demands for personal information to “verify” your account. Never pay a utility bill with gift cards and be wary when asked to pay with cash. These are scam warning signs. 

To avoid utility scams, it is vital that you contact the utility company directly using the contact information provided on their website or your billing statement. In addition, never provide a payment or personal information in response to unsolicited communications. 

Scammers use online dating apps and sites, social networks, and chat rooms to meet potential victims. These scammers use very convincing (but fake) dating profiles to build online relationships. Eventually, they ask for help with their finances. They may request you send money for a hardship or even for you to open an account or deposit checks on their behalf.

Learn more about common social media scams to protect yourself.

Tip: Do not give personal information, account numbers, or credit card information to someone you recently met online.

Scammers create fake posts on social media or job sites offering work-from-home jobs that pay well. The job might be to advertise a company's logo on your car, work as a personal assistant or become a secret shopper. 

Once you're "hired," the scammer sends a fake check, money order, or makes a fraudulent deposit for more than your paycheck. Then, you're told what to do with the extra money -- usually buy gift cards, money orders, or pay someone else for fees or other expenses.

Tip: Legitimate companies don't pay you upfront or send you extra money and ask you to pay someone else or buy gift cards.

Beware of loan offers on social media or online ads. It could be a scammer impersonating a loan company who is looking to empty your bank account once you share your financial data. Watch out for lenders who demand a prepaid debit card or pressure you to act immediately. When applying for a loan, go to a trusted website or bank instead of clicking on a link in an ad.

Tip: Research the lender or loan broker online using rating agencies, online feedback, state and federal agencies like the FTC or a state Attorney General.

You unknowingly download a type of malicious software to your computer or phone. This software is designed to block access to your operating system and all the information stored on your device until you pay an online criminal.

Tip: Back up your data regularly by syncing your files to a secure external drive or backup service such as cloud storage.

You scan a QR code thinking that you're paying a public parking meter. Instead, you're sent to a fake website where scammers collect your payment information and make unauthorized purchases on your card.

Tip: Be very cautious when scanning QR codes to pay. When in doubt, pay a different way.