
Stay Updated, Stay Alert, & Stay Secure!
Scams are evolving faster than ever, but fear not – our Fraud Alert Page is here to keep you one step ahead. Stay sharp and informed about the latest fraud trends. Let's work together in building a scam-savvy community and secure financial future for all of us.
IRS SCAM
July 2022
The IRS is reminding everyone to watch out for IRS impersonation scams. The IRS will not send text messages or email to contact taxpayers about personal or financial information. The IRS also does not leave pre-recorded, urgent or threatening telephone messages for taxpayers. Below is a link with a lot of good information about IRS related scams.
The IRS is also receiving reports of emails urging people to "Claim your tax refund online." and text messages that the person's tax return was "banded" by the IRS. The scams are filled with spelling errors and awkward phrasing. Our days get busy, and we quickly respond trying to stay on top of things. Remember to try and pause when these sorts of messages pop up.
PHISHING ALERT! Text Message claiming your card is blocked.
November 2022
Our team has received a number of phone calls from customers receiving text messages claiming their debit card is blocked. The contact number and link in the text are not from Profinium and this appears to be a phishing scam.
Please delete the text immediately without responding to it.
Phishing is a type of hacking where the attacker sends a fraudulent message with the intent to trick the recipient into sharing personal information or giving the attacker the ability to install malicious software on your device. As a reminder, we will never ask you for your personal information over text or email.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us (800) 254-6197.
MORTGAGE LETTER NOT SENT BY PROFINIUM
June 2022
It has come to our attention that a letter is being sent to community members regarding their mortgage.
At first glance, it appears that it may have come from Profinium. This letter DID NOT come from Profinium. We have received a copy of the letter and have included a sample below for you to review.
Also, it is very important to note that the mortgage information listed in the letter did NOT come from Profinium. Mortgage information is available publicly to any who knows where to find it. We are unable to confirm if this is 100% a scam so please use caution if you inquire about this letter.
If you have questions please do not hesitate to call your banking team(Opens in a new Window).
CHECK DEPOSITING SCAM
September 2021
We’ve seen an influx in customers depositing checks that they’ve received in the mail that they were not expecting or aware they would be receiving. The most recent one was a customer asked to buy gift cards and then send the serial numbers to the check sender.
What the scammer is trying to do is get you to cash the check and then have you send them the cash. When checks are presented to a bank, each check goes through a clearing house to verify the check is good/valid. By the time the check goes through this process and comes back as fraudulent the scammer is long gone with the cash. You, as the person that cashed the check, are now on the hook for the cash.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Was I expecting the check?
- Example, you receive an insurance claim check but you do not have a claim going with your insurance company.
- Do I know who sent this check?
- Am I being asked to send money or gift cards back to the sender?
- Does it seem too good to be true?
If you are not expecting a check or you are suspicious about a check, do not cash the check until you talk to a representative at your bank.
FRAUDULENT E-MAILS/PFISHING SCHEMES
We have received a few calls from customers regarding suspicious emails they've received. Please be aware that there are phishing schemes involving emails that appear to be from IRS.gov, NACHA.org. as well as FDIC.gov. Here is some information that may be beneficial to you, our valued customers:
From IRS.gov website:
The IRS never sends out unsolicited emails, and under no circumstances, requests credit card information and pin numbers through email. Persons receiving emails that claim to be from the IRS should not attempt to visit any site contained within the email and should report suspicious emails to TIGTA or IRS.
Please notify the IRS of any phishing attempts by forwarding the suspicious e-mail to phishing@irs.gov. Materials forwarded to this mailbox will be examined and acted on by our information security staff.
ELDER FRAUD
We have seen an uptick in elder fraud lately. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), elder fraud is defined as financial fraud scheme which targets or disproportionately affects seniors.
Common Elder Fraud Schemes Include:
- Romance Scam
- Tech Support Scam
- Grandparent Scam
- Government Impersonation Scam
- Sweepstakes/Charity/Lottery Scam
- Home Repair Scam
- TV/Radio Scam
- Gamily/Caregiver Scam
- Investment Scam
"What do I do if someone I know may have been a victim of elder fraud?"
File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
www.ic3.gov
An additional resource created by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office for Victims of Crime, is the National Elder Fraud Hotline and can be reached at (833) 372–8311.
www.ic3.gov
An additional resource created by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office for Victims of Crime, is the National Elder Fraud Hotline and can be reached at (833) 372–8311.