Are financial scams really that big of a problem? Yes, and they’re happening more and more.
A financial scam occurs when someone is tricked or coerced into giving someone money. Scammers use a lot of different tactics, but some types of scams are on the rise due to the anonymity of the internet and the increased use of social media and dating websites.
You may think it’ll never happen to you, but that’s a dangerous mindset. Scammers are smart, and they know how to appeal to human emotions and vulnerabilities to gain their victims’ trust. It can happen to anyone whose guard is down, and could be happening to you or someone you know right now.
Check out the infographic below to learn more about one type of scam that's on the rise - The Romance Scam.
Learn more about how to protect yourself and how to file a complaint on the FTC's website. Stats reported by the FTC and FBI in 2016.
We are committed to ensuring the privacy and protection of your accounts and personal infomation, and offer these tips to help you take an active role in your online security.
Sign up for Scam Alerts from the FTC so you know when new scams are being reported.
Talk to your friends and family about online scams and be aware of the signs.
Don't reveal your online banking user ID and password to anyone. Your user ID and password help protect the privacy of your online information.If you give a scammer access to your account, it is much more difficult to trace this type of fraud.
It's a good idea to change your password periodically. You should choose a strong password upper- and lowercase letters, at least one number, and at least one symbol. The stronger your password, the more difficult it is to guess.
Keep your contact information current and be sure to include a valid email address that you regularly access.
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