fraud protection
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Check Fraud occurs when a fraudster attempts to obtain money using paper or digital checks.  Fraudsters might work individually or in organized criminal groups. 

One of the most common tactics for check fraud is mail theft.  Fraudsters steal mail, looking for checks to commit fraud.  

• Altering or “washing” a check: Fraudsters use common household chemicals to change the printed dollar amount or payee name on check.  They may attempt to forge signatures or use check information to engage in identity theft.
• Counterfeit or duplicate checks: Criminals use the information from a stolen check to create additional counterfeit copies of the check.  

How to avoid check fraud

• Safeguard you checkbook, wallet, purse, etc. 
• Check your mail frequently.  This ensures that checks or other sensitive data gets to you as soon as possible. 
• Utilize our Bill Payment service to pay your bills.  With Bill Pay, payment information will be printed onto a check, which makes it more difficult for a scammer to remove the information compared to a hand-written personal check.
• Use secure mailboxes.  If you need to send any checks by mail, use the mailbox inside of a USPS facility rather than at a curbside USPS mailbox or your residential outgoing mail.
• Protect your personal information.  Don’t share or post your bank account information anywhere publicly, and never share account information with anyone with whom you did not initiate the communication. Do not allow websites to save your routing/transit and account number information. 

How to recognize debit and credit card fraud 

Debit and credit card fraud typically occurs when fraudsters obtain your card information (i.e., name, card number, card expiration, etc.) by placing skimming devices on things like gas pumps, point-of-sale terminals and ATM.  Some fraudsters obtain your card information from websites or through data breaches of businesses where you made a purchase – such as hotels, restaurants, stores, etc. Your stolen information is often packaged with other stolen card data and sold on the “dark web” for others to purchase. Fraudsters will use your stolen card information to create counterfeit cards or make large-dollar online purchases.

How to avoid debit and credit card fraud

Debit and credit card fraudsters will go to great lengths to steal your money. There are, however, some simple and very effective ways to protect against becoming a victim. 

1. Use tap to pay when available with your card or phone.
2. Avoid swiping your card at any point-of-sale terminal. Instead, insert your card’s chip.
3. Keep your debit & credit cards with you. Always safely secure your cards in your wallet or purse.
4. Be cautious when shopping online. Don’t allow websites to “remember” your card number. Verify the site’s security and URL before using your card online.
5. Make sure the bank always has your current contact information on file in case we need to reach you.

If you think you’ve been a victim of a card-related scam, contact us immediately. 

How to recognize a phishing scam/email

Phishing is when a scammer send emails or other messages designed to trick you into providing personal information (i.e. passwords, account numbers) or to deploy malware on your computer. Some examples include messages with a Fake Invoice, Email Account Upgrade, Advance-Fee Scam or the Google Docs Scam.  Phishing messages often attempt to invoke fear and the need to take immediate action.

Here’s an example of what a phishing email may look like.

How to avoid being phished

Think before you click. Never click on links that appear in random emails or messages. Hover over links you are unsure of before clicking on them to see where they lead. If the email does not contain your name and/or starts with “Dear Customer,” it could be a phishing attempt.  If you must, go directly to the source of the email rather than clicking on a potentially dangerous link.

Be wary of pop-ups. Pop-up windows often masquerade as legitimate components of a website. Often, though, they are phishing attempts. If one slips through your firewall, don’t click the “cancel” button as it could lead to a phishing site. Instead, click the small “x” in the upper corner of the window.

Be cautious of any message that is unexpected or coming from an unknown sender.  Watch for messages that try in invoke fear or ask you to take immediate action.

This financial abuse is the illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of an elder or vulnerable person’s funds, property, or assets. Perpetrators may be family members, caregivers, friends, neighbors, health care providers or strangers. 

How can you protect yourself?

• Consider naming a financial caregiver.
• Shred documents like statements and receipts instead of throwing them away.
• Ensure documents with sensitive information are not easily accessible in your home.
• Never provide sensitive information like your Social Security Number, account number, or other financial information to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call and trust the other party.
• Never pay a fee or taxes to collect sweepstakes or lottery “winnings.”
• Consult with a financial advisor or attorney before signing any document you don’t understand.

Tips for Family and Friends

Watch for changes in patterns of behavior like:

• Unusual account activity like withdrawals or transfers that can’t be explained, suspicious signatures on checks, attempts to wire large sums of money, or checks written as “loans” or gifts”.
• Sudden non-sufficient fund activity, closing of accounts, or loss of property.
• New “best friends” or contacts that seem suspicious.
• Altered wills and trusts or changes to powers of attorney.
• Confusion, fear, or lack of awareness.  Refusal to make eye contact, shame or reluctance to talk about the problem. 

If you or a loved one suspect you might be a victim of this type of fraud, consider contacting your local  Adult Protective Services.

Wire fraud happens when someone is deceived into sending a wire to an unknown on unintended recipient.   

Pay attention to how wire instructions are sent.  It is best to only accept instructions that are secure, encrypted, and from a trusted contact. Before wiring funds, call to verify the wire instructions independently with your trusted contact or title company. Wire instructions rarely change.  If you receive an email with instruction changes, call your trusted contact or title company to confirm. 

Review the below questions before sending a wire transfer:

• What is your relationship to the wire recipient?  What is the purpose of the wire?
• Are you sending this wire from emailed instructions without further verification? (A phone call or in-person meeting)
• Were you instructed to keep the transaction a secret or mislead bank employees in regard to the purpose of the funds?
• Are the funds for the wire transfer coming from a recently deposited check, cashier’s check, or money order?
• Are you sending funds to someone you have never met in person?
• Were you instructed to wire money from an individual who identified themselves as being from a Law Enforcement or Government Agency? (Police, DEA, IRS, FTC, -Social Security Administration, etc.)
• Were you instructed to wire money for accidental overpayment, unexpected taxes, processing fees, etc.?
• Is the intended wire necessary to claim prize winnings in lottery, sweepstakes, inheritance, or related to secret shopper work, etc.?
• Are you wiring money per instructions in an email, phone call, or text message related to a subscription renewal, computer virus, etc.?
• Were you instructed by another person to invest/move these funds into cryptocurrency?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, Dundee Bank recommends that you NOT complete the transaction and obtain additional information before proceeding.

Check Washing & Check Theft
Caller ID Spoofing
Payment App Fraud
Calls About Loans You Didn’t Apply For
Business & Government Impersonators