Common Fraud Schemes

Local Police and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating a rash of thefts from street mail collection boxes. The scam, known as “check washing," starts with the theft of envelopes containing checks from mail collection boxes. The stolen checks are then altered with the dollar amounts and payee names changed.

How to Protect Yourself

• When possible, avoid using street mail collection boxes. Bring outgoing mail to the collection boxes inside the post office.
• Fraud Prevention Gel Pens are available at office supply retailers which use a specially formulated ink to help prevent check washing and other document alteration
• Check online banking daily for suspicious activity
• Check bank statements monthly
• Report unauthorized transactions immediately to your local branch representative or by email to [email protected]

Learn more about checking washing and check theft here.

A tech support scam can begin with an unsolicited phone call reporting a serious problem with your computer, a pop-up window indicating a virus infected your computer or other messages received while browsing the internet. The caller may use trusted names such as Microsoft and others to trick you into downloading malicious software to your computer, providing them with access to your computer, compromising your online banking credentials or requiring payment for services not received.  

A romance scammer lures people with fake identities and photographs to begin an online romantic relationship. The scammer may contact you through online dating apps or social media and pretend to be a member of the armed forces, teacher, doctor or businessperson working overseas. The relationship progresses sometimes for many months without ever meeting in person. Eventually, the scammer will ask for money due to a medical problem, legal issue or other emergency. The scammer will continue the relationship and request more money for various reasons. The scammer may also wire money into your bank account with instructions to forward the money elsewhere. This money is typically swindled from another person targeted in an unrelated scam. The FBI provides tips for avoiding romance scams here.   

During a pandemic scammers will target people with everything from phony remedies and tests to products such as masks and household cleaners. The scammers are using fake websites, robocalls, texts, social media, fake charities and imposter schemes to steal money. 

In a fake check scam, you are asked to deposit a check into your bank account and then send money back to the sender or another person. The check may represent an “overpayment” in an online classified ad transaction or represent payment received in various other consumer frauds. You may be asked to send the money through a money transmitter like Western Union or use the money to purchase and send pre-paid cards or gift cards. Since the check is counterfeit, the check is charged back to your bank account. Fake checks can be in the form of personal checks, business checks, or bank cashier’s checks. 

There are legitimate work at home opportunities; however, many advertised on the internet or through unsolicited phone calls are scams. Jobs involving the payment of an upfront fee, giving out your credit card or bank information, or transferring money on behalf of the company or another person is the first sign of a scam. Scammers will often send you fake checks as discussed above or will request your help in receiving and forwarding money stolen from other scam victims.   

Fraudulent debt collectors may contact you claiming you owe money. The scammers will threaten legal action and even arrest to intimidate you into making payments on a debt you never owed. Calls from individuals claiming to be from a government agency such as the IRS; law enforcement officials or a collection agency can be very convincing. The scammer will often require immediate payment through a money transmitter, a wire transfer, cashier’s check, prepaid card or even cash sent through the mail.   

You are notified that you won a large lottery or sweepstakes; however, to collect your prize, you must pay the required taxes, fees or custom duties. The initial notification usually requires you to contact a “prize coordinator” who provides you with the instructions necessary to claim your prize. Additional money is often required as problems arise in the release of the grand prize. Many of the scams claim to be international sweepstakes which you were entered automatically. 

A call or message is received from someone posing as your grandchild in trouble. The caller will be panicked and will ask you to send money immediately. The caller may also claim to be someone in law enforcement reporting that your grandchild has been involved in an accident, arrest or robbery and money is needed for medical expenses or bail. Do not send money. First verify your grandchild’s whereabouts with a family member, even if you were told not to tell anyone. 

There are many charities and disaster funds that seek donations and support to perform valuable humanitarian and other relief. Unfortunately, there are also charity and disaster relief schemes which can come in the form of emails, phone calls, social media posts and funding platforms.

The FBI provides the following tips to avoid these scams:

• Give to established charities or groups
• Be alert for charity names similar to known organizations
• Be aware of new organizations aiding in high profile disasters
• Do your research. Sources such as the FTC.gov/charity provides additional tips and resources to avoid scams and research charities
• After a natural disaster, carefully vet contractors

Donation requests in cash, gift card, virtual currency or wire transfer are likely scams.

• Check the website address - most legitimate charity organizations use .org not .com
• Legitimate organizations will not require personal identifying information or online banking sign-on credentials.

If you are a victim of a charity or disaster fraud:

• Report the incident to your local Kearny Bank branch or via email at [email protected]
• Other Reporting Resources:
  • Local Police Department
  • State Consumer Protection Office
  • FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3.gov
  • Federal Trade Commission FTC.gov

Source: FBI.gov

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