Fraudulent email and identity theft scams
Independent Bank will never send an email requiring you to verify your account information via email.
Never REPLY TO such an email.
Forward such emails to: customersecure@ibcp.com for investigation.
What to watch for:
Poor spelling and poor grammar are often indicators of a fraudulent email solicitation.
Any request to submit your account information or personal identification information, such as a Social Security number, can also be alerts for potential fraud.
Protect your checking account
The Federal Reserve Board has developed five tips for protecting your checking account. To view the Federal Reserve Web site, click here.
Identity Theft Scams
Fake Check Scams
The United States Postal Service has initiated an awareness campaign aimed at reducing the number of victims of the “fake check scam.” In this scam, an unknowing victim receives a check to deposit in their account and is asked to wire money to an overseas account. The wired funds leave the account before the check is discovered to be a forgery. Learn more about this scam and how to protect yourself at the Fake Checks Web site.
Phishing
Attempts are made by unknown criminals to solicit information in an effort to illegally obtain personal data. The email address and the website address may appear identical to those of legitimate financial institutions and other companies. These website, however, are fraudulent.
The phony emails, pop-ups or Web sites ask for confidential information such as Social Security number; date of birth; credit, ATM or debit card number(s) and their related Personal Identification Numbers (PINs). The intent of these fraudulent sites is to obtain information illegally to access consumer accounts and/or commit identity theft.
Internet Banking Threats
Remote Access Trojans (RATs) are emerging. RATs are malicious computer programs that are hidden on internet sites, in electronic greeting cards or in file-sharing programs downloaded through the internet. Once a RAT is downloaded to an individual’s computer hard drive, the program will lay dormant until the unsuspecting individual visits an internet banking Web site. When the RAT identifies the online banking site frequented by the victim, the RAT program will send this information to a hacker. The hacker will create a fake internet banking login page, which will appear to be identical to the login page the individual typically sees. When an individual logs on to the fake login page, he/she will be routed to a second fraudulent page that asks for sensitive personal information. (See sample.)
If the information is provided, the fraudster can steal your identity and gain access to your online banking account.
Phone calls
Several different scams occur via phone calls. The callers are very good at convincing you they are from your bank and can easily persuade individuals to give them personal and/or banking information. The most common scams include: The caller may ask to verify some information they have in an attempt to gain further personal or bank information. The caller may indicate that they have your bank or personal information and for a fee can keep it from being shared. The caller may offer to remove your personal or bank information from the internet for a fee.
International lottery scams
Scam operators use the telephone, direct mail and email to entice U.S. consumers to buy chances in high-stakes foreign lotteries from as far away as Africa, Australia, Europe, even Canada. These lottery solicitations violate U.S. law and cost consumers more than $120 million each year.
To read what the Federal Trade Commission has to say about international lottery scams, click here
Nigerian scams
Claiming to be Nigerian officials, business people or the surviving spouses of former government officials, con artists offer to transfer millions of dollars into your bank account in exchange for a small fee. If you respond to the initial offer, you may receive official looking documents. Typically, the victim is then asked to provide blank letterhead and your bank account numbers, as well as money to cover transaction and transfer costs and legal fees.
More information about Nigerian Advance-Fee Loan scams is available from the following sources:
If you receive an offer via email from someone claiming to need your help getting money out of Nigeria, or any other country, forward it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov.
