COVID-19 update: Scam advisory

Please be aware of the following forms of consumer fraud taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any suspicious activity on your account, contact us at (315) 724-1654.

TWITTER SCAM (posted July 20, 2020)
This scheme exploits Twitter accounts to solicit fraudulent payments denominated in convertible virtual currency, or CVC. Cyber threat actors compromise the accounts of public figures, organizations and financial institutions to solicit payments to CVC accounts, claiming that any CVC sent to a wallet address would be doubled and returned to sender.

If you receive one of these solicitations, do not sent money or provide any personal or confidential information to these individuals without independent verification of authenticity. This may be an attempt to defraud you.

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IMPOSTER SCAMS (posted July 13, 2020)
Criminals impersonate organizations such as government agencies, non-profit groups, universities or charities to offer fraudulent services or otherwise defraud victims. Some examples of imposter scams include:

• Requests via phone, e-mail or text requesting verification of personal information in connection with COVID-19-related stimulus payments or benefits, including Economic Impact Payments (EIP).
• Unsolicited communications from purported trusted sources or government programs related to COVID-19, instructing readers to open embedded links or files to provide personal or financial information, including account credentials.
• Solicitations where the person, email, or social media advertisement seeks donations on behalf of a reputable organization, but the hyperlink points to an unaffiliated website.

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MONEY MULE SCHEMES (posted July 13, 2020)
This scheme involves “a person who transfers illegally acquired money on behalf of or at the direction of another.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. authorities have detected recruiters using money mule schemes, such as good-Samaritan, romance, and work-from-home schemes. U.S. authorities also have identified criminals using money mules to exploit unemployment insurance programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some examples of money mule schemes include the following:

• A member who typically maintains a low account balance starts to receive transfers that do not fit his or her transactional history profile, including overseas transactions, purchases of large sums on convertible currency, etc.
• A person opens a new account in the name of a business and, shortly thereafter, someone transfers the funds out of the account.
• A person opens accounts at multiple institutions in order to receive money from various individuals and business, then moves the money to other accounts at the direction of the member’s purported employer.

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PROTECT YOURSELF 
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, Americans’ uncertainty and fear grows, opening the door the scammers to prey on the vulnerable. During this stressful time, consumers must be alert to avoid falling for scams. Below are some tips to help protect yourself from identity theft.

Avoiding COVID scams
Protecting seniors
ATM safety tips
​COVID-19 scam updates