Tag Archives: Preventing Online Fraud

There’s Deals and Then There’s Nightmares: Black Friday Scams

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As people around the United States hurriedly gobble down their Thanksgiving dinner in hopes of securing their spot in store lines, scammers are gearing up to take advantage of one of the most lucrative weeks of the year. While scammers are likely not lining up at storefronts, blending into the crowds of Black Friday deal-seekers, they are doing one thing—preying on the people who conduct their Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping online.

Here are some current scams you can protect yourself from this upcoming Cyber Week.

1. Fake Shipping Notification Emails and Text Messages

The holiday season provides the types of distractions scammers need to carry out their defrauding attempts. The FTC has urged consumers to heighten their awareness of potential fake shipping notification emails and text messages, whereby scammers capitalize on common emails or texts you might expect to see after a spree of online shopping. You might receive an email or text message saying you missed a delivery attempt, or need to update shipping preferences so that your item can be shipped to you. The email or text message will often claim to be coming from a large retailer, such as Amazon, or a courier such as USPS. However, once you click the link within the message, it will either collect the personal and financial information you enter or install harmful malware on your device.

Here are some tips for protecting yourself against fake shipping notification emails and texts:

  • If you are not expecting a package delivery: Do not click on the link or further interact with the message.
  • If you are expecting a package delivery: Contact the retailer or shipping company using a phone number or website that you know is real—never use the information contained within the message. Additionally, you can go to the site you ordered the item to check the shipping and delivery status.

2. Counterfeit Products

Although the saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” is regarded as cliché—it does have some truth to it. Picture this: an item you have been eyeing has finally slashed its price on Black Friday, but it is sold out on numerous reputable platforms. You navigate over to Amazon in hopes of finding it, and you find that not only is it in stock, but at a cheaper price point, too! There are two red flags present here, both the fact that such a sought-after item is in stock through such a high-traffic retailer and it is selling for cheaper than other reputable websites have it listed for. If you click the “Add to Cart” button and go through with purchasing the item, you’ll find that it is often counterfeit or made with low quality materials — the chief reason it was heavily discounted to begin with, and that is if you receive the item at all.

If you didn’t catch those red flags, here are some tips to prevent yourself from purchasing a counterfeit or low-quality item:

  • Remain Wary of Low-Priced Items from Unknown Brands: If a seller has an unknown name, or one that is not associated with the product, do your due diligence.
  • Read Verified Product and Seller Reviews: If a seller doesn’t have reviews or their products have few, if any, ratings and verified reviews – steer clear. The same goes the opposite way — stay away from products or sellers that have an unusual number of 5-star ratings without detailed comments.

3. Website Spoofing

When you look up your go-to online shop, you expect that it will be one of the first few results due to its popularity, and how often you visit it (no shame there)! When you add items to your cart and provide your personal and financial information during checkout, you probably don’t think twice when you click “Place Order.” Maybe it was after the fact that you thought something seemed a little off, such as an outdated user interface or incorrect grammar. You might have fallen victim to website spoofing, where a scammer creates a fraudulent website that mimics the real website you intended to visit, stealing the information you entered or downloading malicious software onto your device.

Here are some ways to spot website spoofing before your personal and financial information falls right into the lap of a scammer:

  • Incorrect Spelling and Grammar: Businesses often hire entire teams dedicated to webpage design to ensure that so much as a comma is not out of place. If you are noticing even a few incorrect spelling or grammar choices, the website you are visiting is likely not the intended one.
  • Marketing is Inconsistent: Strong and consistent branding is key to successful marketing, and professional organizations will ensure that the business name is spelled correctly, slogans and taglines are always consistent, and brand colors are never a hue off.
  • Unsecure Site: Ensure the site you are visiting has a “lock” or green icon next to the URL, as well as https:// in the URL. This is often a solid piece of evidence indicating that the website is legitimate, since it means the link is encrypted and your sensitive information is protected. However, browsers can be deceived as well — so consider this factor in addition to others when determining if a website is legitimate.

While scams can come in all shapes and sizes, here are some general tips that can help protect you from many scams this upcoming Cyber Week:

  • Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi Whenever Possible: Whether while making purchases, or entering your personal or financial information online.
  • Credit Cards > Debit Cards: Credit cards generally offer more fraud protection than a debit card, and credit card purchases aren’t deducted right from your checking account.
  • Strong Passwords Make All the Difference: Avoid using the same password for any two accounts, and make sure it is a password that would be hard for a scammer to crack.
  • Ensure Your Software is Up to Date: Device, app, and software updates often push out the latest and greatest protections, minimizing vulnerabilities that scammers can try to take advantage of.

First Financial is here to help if you believe your personal or financial information, or one of your First Financial accounts has been compromised. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 732.312.1500 or visit one of our local branches. Stay safe when shopping this holiday season!

Yes – People are Still Falling Victim to eBay Scams

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In a day and age where consumers report at least $10 billion of fraud related losses per year, it is more important now than ever to equip yourself with the tools to detect potential fraud before it happens to you. The FTC revealed that not only did consumers report a 14% increase in fraud related losses, but that online shopping issues were the second most reported category of fraud in 2023. With that in mind, an online shopping and auction platform such as eBay is no stranger to the prevalence of fraud occurring in their online space. Even though it may not be as popular as it once was, surprisingly individuals are still falling victim to eBay scams. If you weren’t aware, eBay is an online marketplace that brings buyers and sellers together to conduct online transactions. With 132 million active buyers worldwide – shopping 2.1 billion seller listings, it comes as no shock that scammers find eBay a lucrative environment to find victims. Look out for these common eBay scams, as well as red flags that can alert you to potential scams, to protect yourself and your wallet if you buy or sell on the platform.

Common eBay Scams

While this is not an all-inclusive list of scams you can expect to see on eBay, these are some of the most common to watch out for.

  • You Send Payment and the Seller Takes Your Money: This one is exactly what it sounds like; you pay for an item on eBay, and never receive the item from the seller. eBay has a Money Back Guarantee program in the case of an unresponsive seller shipping you the incorrect item, or no item at all. However, there are certain eligibility requirements that must be met to take advantage of this guarantee. For example, you must have used approved payment methods and paid via eBay checkout in the transaction, must have attempted to contact the seller, and must have given three business days for the seller to resolve the issue. Additionally, certain items are not eligible for the Money Back Guarantee, which can be found
  • The Seller Ships with an Incorrect Name: This scam involves the fraudster preying on your “good Samaritan” mentality. In this scenario, the seller would ship the package to the correct address, but intentionally use the wrong name to make you believe you received the incorrect package. The fraudster is hoping you return the package to the post office or shipping company, as this voids eBay’s Money back Guarantee since it is considered a refused or returned package. The fraudster gets to keep your payment, and you can’t leave feedback – since it would be considered resolved.
  • Misleading/Counterfeit Listings: A misleading listing is one that entices you to believe you are receiving one thing, but you end up receiving something else – or maybe even nothing at all. The problem with misleading listings is that oftentimes the seller does include the details somewhere in the listing, but it might not be clear to buyers. A counterfeit listing is one that includes a counterfeit item that is advertised as being the real deal. Making purchases online has its downside, such as being unable to verify the authenticity of goods prior to purchase. These “knock-offs” are usually advertised at very attractive prices, so it is good practice to be wary of items that are heavily marked down when they have a much higher market value.
  • Overpayment Scams: We’ve written about overpayment scams in the past, and they’re prevalent on eBay too. In this situation you’re selling an item, and a buyer contacts you and offers you more than you are asking for the item and only if you would take a personal check. In turn, you’re only getting a giant headache in the form of a phony check that will never clear. In addition, you’ve already shipped the buyer your item which they’ll of course keep, and you’ll most likely be responsible for the bounced check or incurred fees from your bank besides.

Red Flags to Look Out For

Unfortunately, the tactics scammers employ to defraud unsuspecting people is constantly evolving. However, keeping some of these red flags top of mind – can help you detect a scam before it happens to you.

  • Short Duration Listings: eBay says to be wary of items that have only been listed for one day. While eBay says there are exceptions to this, such as tickets for an event happening that same day, fraudsters know their luck will run out the longer their item is listed for. The short duration of these listings is often paired with the fraudster expressing a sense of urgency to close the deal.
  • Heavily Discounted/Sold-Out Items: The saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” applies on eBay, too. Be cautious of listings showing heavily discounted items, such a luxury handbag, or a popular item that has been sold out, such as the latest gaming console.
  • Sellers Wanting to Conduct Business Off eBay: Whether it’s attempting to personally contact you or enticing you to make a payment off eBay’s online platform, fraudsters know off-eBay communications get them closer to their ill-gotten gains. eBay notes that once communication is taken off their platform, your purchase will not be protected by the Money Back Guarantee. It is always a best practice to utilize eBay messages to communicate with sellers, and use approved payment methods during eBay checkout to complete your transaction.
  • Unsafe Payment Methods: eBay has been in the game a long time, making them an expert in knowing which payment methods are safe. eBay says to take caution with sellers who request payment into overseas accounts, prepaid or gift cards, or cryptocurrency – because oftentimes these transactions cannot be traced. It is always a best practice to go by the list of payment methods offered at eBay checkout. Unsafe payment methods also include personal checks or person-to-person digital payments (Venmo, Zelle, Cash app).

While this list of red flags is a good start in learning to recognize fraud, go with your gut too. Just because something isn’t online or on this list, doesn’t mean it’s not a scam. The more you educate yourself on the actions and tactics of scammers, the more you will be able to tell when something just isn’t right.

What to Do if You Believe You Fell Victim to an eBay Scam

eBay is aware of the scammers infiltrating their platform and has procedures in place to assist customers that believe they have been defrauded.

eBay has a Security Center that is dedicated to providing customers with tips and resources for protecting their information, staying safe from scammers, reporting concerns, and even reporting fraud or stolen goods to law enforcement. There is a great deal of information dedicated to staying safe from scammers, including tips on how to recognize fake emails, web pages, and scams, as well as procedures buyers and sellers should follow in conducting transactions. If you’re looking for a quick way to report a fraudulent seller directly to eBay, click here.

At First Financial, we’re always thinking first about how to best protect the personal and financial information of our valued members. If you ever come across anything suspicious on any of your First Financial accounts, or want assistance in determining if an offer, website, or service is legitimate – give us a buzz. Don’t hesitate to contact our member services department at 732-312-1500 or visit one of our local branches.

Don’t Get Scammed While Back to School Shopping

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It’s that time when all you parents out there are probably shopping online, trying to get the best deals on school supplies and clothing for the upcoming academic year. While you’re busy shopping and trying your best to save money, be on the lookout for scams. Continue reading about some of the most common ones that are out there.

Do your research. Are you clicking and adding to cart on a new website you’ve never used? Before you actually make a purchase, do a quick online search for the merchant’s name. See if anything comes up that mentions a multitude of complaints or lists any scams associated with the company name. You can also check the company’s social media sites to see reviews and comments, as well as look on the Better Business Bureau’s website. If you are browsing around a website and see misspelled words or unclear sentences, this is another indicator that it may be a fraudulent website.

Take precautions with online ads. Don’t think that scammers can’t purchase ads on social media sites. If you see something too good to be true, or that follows the website criteria we just mentioned – it’s best to shop elsewhere.

Review the price and availability. Are you looking for something in particular that you can’t seem to find anywhere else, but seeing it available at a great price on an unknown website or ad? Be leery of this. It could be a trap to lure you to the fraudulent website, and pay for merchandise you’ll never receive – or be able to get your money back.

When checking out, make sure the web browser is secure. How to know a website is legitimate and secure? The web address and payment page URL will begin with https:// and you should see a lock icon at the top. Also, if paying via PayPal through the merchant’s website is an option – take it. This protects your card information and also would help with reimbursement to you should there be any issues with your purchase.

Shop with a credit card. When you can, it’s always better to shop online with a credit card. This protects you if there is a dispute for charges you didn’t approve. If you use a debit card, the funds actually get deducted from your bank account and while you can still file a dispute and get your money back – it may take awhile. Credit cards typically also offer higher daily purchase limits. Read more about our advice on this topic in our credit vs. debit guidebook.

Check the fine print. Before purchasing, be sure to review the merchant’s return policy to make sure you can return items you purchase, if there are any restocking fees, or if you’ll need to pay for return shipping. You’ll also want to read any additional fine print details and see how long shipping might take, as well as where your order is shipping from. Will tracking information be provided and notifications, once your items have shipped?

What do you do if you were scammed? Hopefully you either paid with a credit card or through PayPal. If so, you’ll want to call your credit card company right away, and with PayPal you can open a case online. You should also report the fraudulent website to the Better Business Bureau and FTC websites.

This back to school season, stay safe online and prevent fraud from happening to you! Questions about a scam involving any of your First Financial accounts? Contact us right away.

Article Source: News12.com

How to Avoid Banking Scams and Stay Safe Online

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Banking scams are more common than you think, especially lately. In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 2.1 million fraud reports. Criminals use these types of scams to trick people into giving up their bank account information.

Don’t panic just yet. There are many ways to protect yourself against banking scams and online fraud, and we’re here to help.

What are banking scams?

Banking scams are when fraudsters attempt to access your bank account to take your money or private information. The most common banking scams include:

  • Overpayment scams: When someone sends you a check, asks you to deposit it into your account, and wire part of the money back to them. The check is likely fake, so you’ll end up having to pay your bank the amount of the check, plus what you wired.
  • Unsolicited check fraud: When a scammer sends you an unexpected check, you cash it, and then you’re suddenly authorized for purchases or a loan you didn’t ask for.
  • Automatic withdrawals: When a fraudulent company sets up automatic withdrawals from your account to qualify for a free trial or prize.
  • Phishing: When you receive an email or text asking you to verify your bank account or card number.

How to protect yourself from banking scams

Now that we know what kinds of banking scams are out there, let’s talk about how to prevent them from happening to you. Here are our top tips to follow:

  • Be careful who you cash checks for. Never write a check for someone in exchange for cash, unless you know the person well.
  • Trust your instincts. If something feels off or is too good to be true, it likely is. Always read the fine print with any email or text you receive.
  • Don’t share your personal information. Scammers can easily hack into your account with the right information. Therefore, it’s important to avoid sharing account, Social Security, and credit card information with anyone – unless you know for certain it’s a legitimate request that you initiated with your financial institution.
  • Question unnecessary fees. If you’re sent a prize or job offer that requires an upfront fee, it’s a scam. The same goes for offers from unverified sources that require bank account information to redeem or claim them.
  • Be careful where you send money. This may seem obvious, but do not wire or send money to people or companies you don’t know.

What to do if you’re a victim of a bank scam

If you believe you’re a victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately to stop any unauthorized purchases or withdrawals from your account. You’ll need to report the scam to the proper authorities as well. Your financial institution should most likely offer a way you can file a complaint directly, or be able to provide you with the necessary steps to take. If you received any phishing emails, forward them to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.

At First Financial, we are here to help protect our members from scams and identity theft. If you have any concerns or questions about any of your First Financial accounts, please call member services at 732.312.1500 or visit one of our branches.

 

Preventing Cyber Fraud

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Online and mobile fraud have certainly become more commonplace and extra concerning these days. Unfortunately, just a password is no longer enough to protect your important personal information against the threat of a cyber data breach. Keep reading to find out important ways to protect yourself and your personal and financial data online.

  • Set-up multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your various accounts. What is MFA? This is a secondary layer of security used to verify your identity. This means in addition to logging in as normal, you would also receive a confirmation email or text with a temporary code that is typically only valid for a few minutes. This second layer of protection allows the bank account you’re logging into, app, social media platform, or online shopping site (even Amazon has a two-factor authentication option for logging into your account) to verify that it’s really you and not a fraudster. Logging in with a fingerprint or Face ID is also considered an MFA option. Using MFA will allow you to be much less likely to get hacked. The more layers of security protection you have, the better!
  • Be sure your software and OS are up to date. Always make sure your online and mobile security software has been updated. This means any anti-virus programs you’re running, firewalls, your computer, smartphone and tablet operating systems (OS), as well as apps and software. Making sure your devices are up to date means that there are no security holes present or ways to gain access to your secure data. An easy way to be sure this is set-up is to enable automatic device updates, or allow your device to perform the update each time you see a notification. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
  • Beware of suspicious emails, calls, and texts. Even if the message or call appears to be from your financial institution. Also be weary of any links that may appear in emails or texts. Clicking on a fraudulent link can be a phishing or malware scam which enables an online criminal to gain access to your bank accounts and personal data. If you receive a message or call that you are unsure of, hang up and don’t click on any links. Instead, call or stop into your trusted financial institution and ask them if they were in fact trying to contact you. An important note to remember is that a legitimate financial institution, business, or organization will never typically contact you out of nowhere and ask you to reveal any personal or financial information (they already have it).
  • Be careful when using public Wi-Fi. If you are logging into your mobile banking app or any secure accounts (especially ones that have access to credit or debit cards), be sure you are not on public Wi-Fi. This makes it easy for a cyber thief to hack into your device through a shared network. Login to these types of sites at home using your secure password protected network, and if you absolutely must login while on the go – be sure to turn off your device’s Wi-Fi connection first. How to know a browser or network is secure? You’ll see a padlock icon within the corner of the browser. This means that you’re on a safe, encrypted network.
  • Use strong passwords and security questions. When you do need to create a password, make sure it’s a strong one that’s hard to crack. For instance – avoid using common names, words, and phrases. Also refrain from using numbers that are in order (ex: Hello123 is not a secure password), and try to also use special characters or substitute characters for letters/numbers (ex: F$rst!97). When setting up security questions, choose ones that only you would know personally and that would be extremely difficult to guess.
  • Monitor your accounts and set-up notifications. It’s always a good idea to monitor your frequently used and bank accounts on a daily basis. This will allow you to check for any fraudulent transactions or purchases you did not make. Another useful tip is to setup account alerts for your bank accounts – most financial institutions or credit cards will allow you to set-up email or text alerts for purchases, debits over a certain amount, low balance alerts, phone or online transactions, and more. Enabling these notifications will allow you to see instantly when a transaction was made that was not done by you.

As always, if you find any fraudulent transactions or receive any suspicious communications regarding your First Financial account – please contact us right away at 732.312.1500 or by emailing info@firstffcu.com.

Also remember that First Financial will never ask you for online or mobile banking login codes you receive, under any circumstances. We will also not ever ask you to download any remote desktop applications to your device.

You can rest assured that First Financial’s Online Banking and Mobile App are protected with various MFA capabilities. We also have the First Financial Wallet App, where you can keep track of all your First Financial card purchases and receive real time alerts right to your mobile phone.

THINK First because There’s Harm In Not Knowing!

‘Tis the Season (for Holiday Fraud)

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The best time of the year is here, but it’s also a time of year when fraud increases too. If you are doing any sort of holiday shopping, be aware of the following scam tactics designed to steal your personal and financial information:

E-Skimming – This is what happens when a scammer gets control of an unsecure link within a website that you may be shopping on. Without even realizing it, you could be redirected to a malicious domain where a skimming code can capture your personal and financial information as you are making your purchase online. Such a skimming code would be sent to a remote server in real time where fraudsters would be collecting all your personal data. This data is often sold and then used to make fraudulent purchases in your name afterward. Before you click on any links in emails or on the web – make sure it’s a secure website (you’ll see an https at the top) and only open emails from trusted sources.

Social Media Scams – Sometimes social media platforms are used to set up a fake online store. The site will feature advertising messages and take payments, but unfortunately you will never receive what you ordered and your financial information may also be compromised in the process. When following a brand on social media, look to see if it’s a verified business (blue check mark in the profile) and look to see their website and contact details, number of followers, and the like. If something seems off or too good to be true, it probably is.

Porch Pirates – This is a big time of year when delivered packages often disappear from the doorstep of unsuspecting homes and businesses. Be sure to track anything ordered as it ships to you, look for a delivery confirmation from the retailer, and try to not leave packages out on your porch for hours on end. If you are going to be away from home when a package is delivered, ask a trusted neighbor or family member to pick it up and hold it for you.

Shipment Update Scam Emails – You may find that a fraudster sends you a fake email that tells you your item failed to deliver and then asks you for updated shipping and contact information. This is a scam! The email may look legit (though you will usually find a fake or unusually long email address with a slightly different domain name), but it often contains a link with malware that will steal your personal information if you click on it. The original retailer has all of this contact information and will not ask you for it again.

Donations to Fake Charities – Scammers know that people love to give back this time of year. A donation scam will often duplicate a charity website and get you to click on a link (which is malware) to donate money. Instead of going to the actual charity, your donation goes right into the pocket of a criminal. Do your research before you donate, ensure the site is legitimate and verified.

Additional steps you can take to help prevent fraud this holiday season:

  • Sign up for transaction alerts to receive emails and/or texts for all your credit and debit cards.
  • Pay careful attention to links in emails and on websites.
  • Try to avoid entering card information into website forms. Instead use PayPal or a digital wallet like Apple or Google Pay when you can.
  • Make sure your home computer and mobile devices have anti-virus protection and a firewall.
  • Only shop on well-known and verified websites when buying online.
  • Go directly to a retailer’s website yourself instead of through a social media ad.
  • Look for skimming devices at the ATM or a gas station pump.
  • Monitor your bank accounts on a daily basis and if you see a purchase that was not made by you, report it to your financial institution right away.

Follow the above tips for an enjoyable, safe, and risk free holiday season. Think First!