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Safe Banking Tips.
November 2022
Mail Fraud increase
Check fraud is more common than you think.
The United States has seen a dramatic increase in mail fraud and West Michigan is not immune. Mail Fraud happens when checks are stolen from businesses' mailboxes from either incoming or outgoing mail. The account information on the checks is used to commit fraud which can result in thousands of dollars of losses for the business.
We can’t stress enough the importance of securing your incoming mail using a PO Box or a locked mailbox. Drop off outgoing mail directly at the Post Office (inside, not the postal drop bin). Check your accounts regularly.
Check out the links below on Check Fraud.
Fox 17 stolen checks in Ottawa County https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/lakeshore/ottawa/two-arrested-found-with-over-50k-in-stolen-checks
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Check Fraud segment: https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/stolen-check-scams-on-the-rise-amid-washing-scheme-154124869831
WOOD TV8 mail theft segment: https://www.woodtv.com/news/ottawa-county/thousands-of-dollars-of-checks-stolen-in-ottawa-co/
October 2021
McAfee Anti-Virus Renewal Scam
Be cautious if you receive an email requesting a McAfee Renewal or a problem with your payment. If you receive something of this nature, and you do actually have the McAfee product installed on your computer, contact the vendor directly by searching their phone number on the internet. Do not trust the phone number being emailed to you. In this scam, the fraudsters target someone and provide a fraudulent phone number that rings to the fraudster, they then convince callers to log into Online Banking to remedy the situation, so that the fraudster can gain access to the Online Banking account and begin to syphon funds out unbeknownst to the victim.
This type of scam is in no way limited to McAfee. The US Treasury will never call you to verify information. The IRS will not call. Publishers Clearing House won’t even call. It is never safe to allow anyone access to your Online Banking account under any circumstance. There is no reason a vendor, a government agency, or even Macatawa Bank, would need access to your Online Banking. Keep your private information private, to help stay safe from scams like this.
May 14, 2021
Please be aware that there is currently a fraud scheme happening in West Michigan.
Bank customers receive a text and a phone call from someone pretending to represent their bank, under the pretense of helping with possible fraudulent charges. It is critical to remember to never, under any circumstance, give sensitive information like User Name, Password, debit card PIN or Secure Access Code. Macatawa Bank will never ask for that information.
If you feel you’ve fallen victim to fraud, or have received a questionable fraud alert, please call our Customer Experience team at (877) 820-2265 so we can help secure your financial information. You can also log into your Online Banking to verify any activity you are questioning.
Your security is our highest priority. For helpful tips on safe online, please visit Safe Banking Tips.
April 2021 - Mortgage Scam
Postcards are once again being sent to out individuals, said to be Macatawa Bank mortgage or equity loan customers, asking for a return call regarding an important matter relating to the loan. The card includes a “Mortgage ID #” and references “Mortgage Protection Services” in the footer. This organization is in no way associated with Macatawa Bank and you’re encouraged to ignore their attempts to engage with you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Mortgage and equity loan information is a matter of public record. No data or systems have been breached at Macatawa Bank.
January 7, 2021
Please be aware that there is currently a fraud scheme happening in West Michigan.
Bank customers receive a text and a phone call from someone pretending to represent their bank, under the pretense of helping with possible fraudulent charges. It is critical to remember to never, under any circumstance, give sensitive information like User Name, Password, debit card PIN or Secure Access Code. Macatawa Bank will never ask for that information.
If you feel you’ve fallen victim to fraud, or have received a questionable fraud alert, please call our Customer Experience team at (877) 820-2265 so we can help secure your financial information. You can also log into your Online Banking to verify any activity you are questioning.
Your security is our highest priority. For helpful tips on safe online, please visit Safe Banking Tips.
March 30, 2020 - Fraud in the wake of COVID-19
10 Tips to stay safe.
Protect your identity and stay safe online.
Cyber criminals may use the current events to trick people into revealing sensitive information online. Stay informed and stay vigilant. Here are some common scams to watch for.
- Watch out for phishing scams.
Phishing scams include fraudulent emails, texts, phone calls and websites to trick recipients into sharing private account or login information. Never click on links or open attachments from unknown sources, and NEVER give your password, account number or PIN to anyone.
- Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure or treatment.
Fake test kits. Vaccines. Cures for COVID-19. Beware. Scammers are impersonating health organizations and businesses to take advantage of the fears associated with this pandemic. Be wary of any offers like these. If there is a medical breakthrough, it is unlikely to be reported through unsolicited emails or online ads.
- Rely on official sources for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and your state’s health department websites to keep track of the latest developments.
- Remember the Bank is the safest place for your money.
Money deposited at a chartered bank is insured by the FDIC. Your personal safety is at risk, as well as loss of these assets, when you hold large amounts of cash or cashier’s checks.
- Do some research before making a donation.
Scammers often seek donations for illegitimate or non-existent organizations. Do your research before making a charitable donation. Be wary of any business, charity or individual requesting COVID-19-related payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card or through the mail.
- Keep your computers and mobile devices up to date.
So you receive the newest available fixes, turn on automatic updates for your mobile devices and computer to have the best defense against the online threats from scammers. Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system is the best defenses against viruses, malware and other online threats.
- Recognize and avoid bogus website links.
Cybercriminals are clever. They often replicate a trusted website and embed malicious links to download malware onto devices or route users to bogus websites. Hover over suspicious links to view the actual URL that you are being routed to. Fraudulent links can be disguised by simple changes in the URL.
- Enable multi-factor authentication in security settings.
Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, is a second step to verify who you are, like a text with a code, which adds another level of security to your online accounts.
- Watch out for investment scams.
Before you make any investments, remember that there is a high potential for fraud right now. Be skeptical of any company claiming the ability to cure or prevent the coronavirus. If in doubt, ask an established investment advisor. If you do not have one, reach out to your community bank.
- Beware of stimulus check or economic relief scams.
The government is offering assistance programs to help alleviate the economic impact of COVID-19. The government will NOT charge you a fee to receive funds.
Help others by reporting coronavirus scams.
Visit the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at
www.ic3.gov to report suspected or confirmed scams. You can also stay up-to-date on the latest scams by visiting the FTC’s coronavirus page at
ftc.gov/coronavirus.
For more information on fraud related to COVID-19, please visit:
https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2020/03/06/defending-against-covid-19-cyber-scams
To review our safe banking tips, please visit:
Safe Banking Tips
March 26, 2020 - Consumer Alert Following Reports of Federal Stimulus Scams
DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
AG/ NEWS
Ml Attorney General Dana Nessel Issues Urgent
Consumer Alert Following Reports of Federal Stimulus Scams
Contact: Ryan Jarvi 517-599-2746
Agency: Attorney General
LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today issued an urgent consumer alert urging Michiganders to be on high alert for bad actors aiming to coerce them out of their personal information in a new federal stimulus payment scam.
Scammers are using the news that the federal government will send one-time payments to millions of people across the country as part of the federal economic relief response to COVID-19 to steal personal information.
The Michigan Department of Attorney General has already received reports that residents are getting emails from websites appearing to be official demanding that they provide PayPal, bank account or other financial information to receive the $1,200 federal stimulus payment immediately.
The Attorney General's office is reminding anyone who receives a text, email or phone call from someone claiming to be from the government with a check for them - DO NOT FALL FOR IT. These fake phishing scams will likely ask for a person's bank account information and insist $1,000 or more will be deposited directly into his or her bank account.
Personal information should not be given to anyone unless the provider of that information is absolutely certain of the identity of the person requesting it.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the federal stimulus payment and specific disbursement details, only visit the IRS website.
January 2020 - Never give out your passwords or PIN via phone or text.
Scammers are sending fake texts and making fraudulent phone calls posing as Macatawa Bank and other local financial institutions claiming there has been fraud on an account. Macatawa Bank has not experienced any data breaches. The scammers may say they have your personal information and ask you to verify it, giving you a false sense of security. Remember Macatawa Bank will never ask you for passwords or your ATM PIN. Never give that information out. The call or text might say: “ATTENTION. Fraudulent activity has been detected on your account. Act Now.” These calls and texts can be very convincing.
Here is how to avoid falling victim to this scam:
Verify the issue
Do not trust a phone number provided to you in a phone call or text. Look up the bank’s phone number online or on your statement and call us directly to verify if there is an issue. Log into your online banking account so see for yourself if any fraudulent activity has occurred on your account.
Never give out personal information
We will NEVER ask you for your password or PIN.
Be cautious of links sent via text
Scammers might send a fraudulent text message that looks like it’s from Macatawa Bank. They might ask you to enter your account information. If you enter it, the scammers then have access to your accounts online. Do not trust links texted to you.
If you think you have fallen victim to this scam, call our Customer Care team at (877) 820-2265.
Sept 2018 - Scammers pose as MasterCard® to gain debit card information.
Scammers are calling consumers posing as MasterCard, claiming that MasterCard has blocked their debit card due to fraud and asking consumers to push 1 for their Security Department. When the consumer pushes 1, they are prompted to input their Debit Card number. A legitimate fraud alert phone call would never require you to enter your Debit Card number. If you have fallen prey to this scam please contact our Customer Experience team by calling 877-820-2265 so they can close your card and order you a new one to prevent fraudulent charges to your account.
Sept 2018 - Scammers have been targeting Instagram to recruit victims.
What is happening? Scammers are making large deposits to Instagram account users' bank accounts. The check appears to be from a reputable company. The consumers are then withdrawing funds from their bank accounts. When the check is found to be fraudulent the consumer must repay the funds.
- When something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious. Trust your instincts.
- Never give out your personal information, social security number, bank card numbers, PINs or online banking login credentials.
- Many scammers try to create a sense of urgency or threaten your safety or the safety of those you love.
- Scammers know how to appeal to your emotions. They know when feelings are involved, defenses go down.
May 2018 - Mortgage Scam
Postcards are being sent to individuals, said to be Macatawa Bank mortgage or equity loan customers, asking for a return call regarding an important matter relating to the loan. The card includes a “Mortgage ID #” and references “Mortgage Protection Services” in the footer. This organization is in no way associated with Macatawa Bank and you’re encouraged to ignore their attempts to engage with you.
Mortgage and equity loan information is a matter of public record. No data or systems have been breached at Macatawa Bank.