- Enable multi-factor authentication on top of your username and password.
- Use a strong and unique password.
- Update your software and devices.
- Use antivirus software on your computer.
Safeguarding Our Clients
As we navigate the digital landscape, educating our clients on the threat of online scams is increasingly important. Anyone can fall victim to deceptive schemes, making it crucial to stay vigilant and informed. Scams encompass a variety of methods, including misleading emails, fraudulent text messages, and persuasive phone calls.
Email Scams
Text Message Scams
Phone ScamsEmail Scams
What to be aware of...
1. Unusual Email Address – Does that look like an email address FineMark would use? Be wary of unexpected emails from addresses that look different from what you’ve received before.
2. Misspelled Words -Misspelled words or odd grammar are clear signs of an impersonator. We do our best to spell check and use clear and concise language.
3. Scare Tactics – If you receive an email with urgent threats of an account closure or a security breach, assume it’s a scam. Call your FineMark banker if you are unsure.
4. Suspicious URLs – FineMark will never ask you to log into your account via an email link, so don’t click links you weren’t expecting. They will likely take you to a malicious website.
5. Unexpected Attachments – Attachments can contain malware that will compromise your computer or personal information. Never click on attachments from emails supposedly from FineMark. If you think it’s legitimate, call your banker to confirm before you click.
2. Misspelled Words -Misspelled words or odd grammar are clear signs of an impersonator. We do our best to spell check and use clear and concise language.
3. Scare Tactics – If you receive an email with urgent threats of an account closure or a security breach, assume it’s a scam. Call your FineMark banker if you are unsure.
4. Suspicious URLs – FineMark will never ask you to log into your account via an email link, so don’t click links you weren’t expecting. They will likely take you to a malicious website.
5. Unexpected Attachments – Attachments can contain malware that will compromise your computer or personal information. Never click on attachments from emails supposedly from FineMark. If you think it’s legitimate, call your banker to confirm before you click.
Pause and Verify
When feeling uncertain about an email, don’t respond. Instead, call your FineMark banker to confirm any emails you receive.
Text Message Scams
How to Spot a Text Scam
1. Strange Phone Numbers – Is that a number FineMark uses to send text alerts?
Legitimate text messages come from an official 4–5-digit number.
Legitimate text messages come from an official 4–5-digit number.
2. Urgent Warnings or Requests – Phishing texts try to create a sense of panic. They may threaten to suspend your account or urge you to log in to verify your information. Never respond to these texts.
3. Odd Grammar or Spelling Mistakes – If you see misspelled words or odd grammar, it’s likely an impersonator.
4. Requests for Personal Information – If a text message requests personal or sensitive information such as account numbers, PINs, passwords, or social security numbers, assume it’s a scam and do not respond.
5. Suspicious Links – Don’t click them. Instead, verify the message by calling your FineMark banker with a number you know and trust.
3. Odd Grammar or Spelling Mistakes – If you see misspelled words or odd grammar, it’s likely an impersonator.
4. Requests for Personal Information – If a text message requests personal or sensitive information such as account numbers, PINs, passwords, or social security numbers, assume it’s a scam and do not respond.
5. Suspicious Links – Don’t click them. Instead, verify the message by calling your FineMark banker with a number you know and trust.
Urgency is a Red Flag
FineMark will never request personal information via text, and we will never make urgent requests. If you feel uneasy, don’t respond and reach out to us directly.
Phone Scam
Beware of These Tactics
1. Unusual Caller ID – While caller ID can be spoofed, legitimate calls from FineMark are more likely to display our official phone number with our name. If they don’t, be skeptical.
2. Scare Tactics or Threats – We will never make threatening calls or ask you to withhold information from other bank associates.
3. Asking for Personal Information – FineMark will rarely ask for your account number or password during a phone call — and will never ask for a one-time login code. Don’t share this confidential information unless you have confirmed you are talking with someone you know.
4. Calling You Unexpectedly – Be skeptical of calls you receive out of the blue, especially if you don’t recognize the person on the other end of the call. Hang up and call your banker directly.
2. Scare Tactics or Threats – We will never make threatening calls or ask you to withhold information from other bank associates.
3. Asking for Personal Information – FineMark will rarely ask for your account number or password during a phone call — and will never ask for a one-time login code. Don’t share this confidential information unless you have confirmed you are talking with someone you know.
4. Calling You Unexpectedly – Be skeptical of calls you receive out of the blue, especially if you don’t recognize the person on the other end of the call. Hang up and call your banker directly.
Familiarity
If you receive an unexpected call from a “new” banker, trust your instincts. Simply hang up and call FineMark directly with a number you know.
Don’t stop there. Spotting scams is just the beginning.
Strengthen Your Accounts
- Enable multi-factor authentication on top of your username and password.
- Use a strong and unique password.
- Update your software and devices.
- Use antivirus software on your computer.
How to Respond if You’ve Fallen for a Scam
- Contact your bank by calling the number on your card.
- Change your passwords and visit IdentityTheft.gov.
- Report the scam to the FTC by visiting: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- If you lost money, file a police report.
- Update your software and devices.
- Use antivirus software on your computer.
Federal Trade Commission Fraud Advice
According to information provided on the Federal Trade Commission’s website, scammers are skilled at tricking individuals into providing money or personal information. If you suspect you have been scammed, take immediate action by contacting the relevant authorities and attempting to recover any lost funds through the payment company.
If You Paid a Scammer
- Did you pay with a credit card or debit card?
- Contact the company or bank that issued the credit card or debit card. Tell them it was a fraudulent charge. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.
- Did a scammer make an unauthorized transfer from your bank account?
- Contact your bank and tell them it was an unauthorized debit or withdrawal. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.
- Did you pay with a gift card?
- Contact the company that issued the gift card. Tell them it was used in a scam and ask them to refund your money. Keep the gift card itself, and the gift card receipt.
- Did you send a wire transfer through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram?
- Contact the wire transfer company. Tell them it was a fraudulent transfer. Ask them to reverse the wire transfer and give you your money back.
- MoneyGram at 1-800-926-9400
- Western Union at 1-800-448-1492
- Ria (non-Walmart transfers) at 1-877-443-1399
- Ria (Walmart2Walmart and Walmart2World transfers) at 1-855-355-2144
- Contact the wire transfer company. Tell them it was a fraudulent transfer. Ask them to reverse the wire transfer and give you your money back.
- Did you send a wire transfer through your bank?
- Contact your bank and report the fraudulent transfer. Ask them to reverse the wire transfer and give you your money back.
- Did you send money through a money transfer app?
- Report the fraudulent transaction to the company behind the money transfer app and ask them to reverse the payment. If you linked the app to a credit card or debit card, report the fraud to your credit card company or bank. Ask them to reverse the charge.
- Did you pay with cryptocurrency?
- Cryptocurrency payments typically are not reversible. Once you pay with cryptocurrency, you can only get your money back if the person you paid sends it back. But contact the company you used to send the money and tell them it was a fraudulent transaction. Ask them to reverse the transaction, if possible.
- Did you send cash?
- If you sent cash by U.S. mail, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 and ask them to intercept the package. To learn more about this process, visit USPS Package Intercept: The Basics. If you used another delivery service, contact them as soon as possible.
If You Gave a Scammer Your Personal Information
- Did you give a scammer your Social Security number?
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov to see what steps to take, including how to monitor your credit.
- Did you give a scammer your username and password?
- Create a new, strong password. If you use the same password anywhere else, change it there, too.
If a Scammer Has Access to Your Computer or Phone
- Does a scammer have remote access to your computer?
- Update your computer’s security software, run a scan, and delete anything it identifies as a problem. Then take other steps to protect your personal information.
- Did a scammer take control of your cell phone number and account?
- Contact your service provider to take back control of your phone number. Once you do, change your account password.
- Also check your credit card, bank, and other financial accounts for unauthorized charges or changes. If you see any, report them to the company or institution. Then go to IdentityTheft.gov to see what steps you should take.
Report a Scam to the FTC
When you report a scam, the FTC can use the information to build cases against scammers, spot trends, educate the public, and share data about what is happening in your community. If you experienced a scam — or even spotted one, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Check out what’s going on in your state or metro area by visiting ftc.gov/exploredata.
Technology
From the latest in banking technology to tips on how to protect your personal information and avoid sophisticated cyber scammers, FineMark’s senior bankers share our newest features and capabilities to safeguard your wealth.
Beware of the Unpaid Toll Text Scams
How to Spot IRS Scams and Impersonators
A Digital Nightmare: Cybercriminals Inside Your Home
Roses, Romance, and Red Flags: Protecting Your Heart and Wallet
Staying Safe Online and Shielding Your Accounts
Holiday Travel Preparedness: Cyber Safety Tips for a Secure Vacation
Voice Cloning Scams: Unmasking the Threat to Security and Trust
Combating Check Fraud: Insights from Our Fraud Specialist
Apple ID Scam
Beware of Bitcoin ATM Scams
Fraud Alert!: Financial Scam Impersonating OCC
