Fraud Awareness and Prevention

Whether you have personal accounts, business accounts or both with Saco & Biddeford Savings, your financial security is our top priority. We want you to know your money is safe, and we want you to feel empowered to take action when you think something is off.

Remember: We will never ask for your account information, passwords or pin over text, email or the phone.

Fraud threats are evolving, and scams can look and feel convincing. The good news: many types of fraud, including identity theft, are preventable with awareness and a few simple steps. If something feels suspicious, trust your gut, then verify.

To stop fraud before it happens — or to report it quickly when you suspect it — contact our Customer Care team at 207-284-4591, stop by your local branch, or call the number on the back of your debit card (add the number to your contacts now, in case you need it later).

Pause
Scammers often create urgency to push you into acting fast. A short pause can prevent a loss.

• Slow down if you’re being pressured to act immediately, keep the request secret, or move money “right now.”
  
  
• Be cautious with requests to pay by gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, person-to-person payments, or sending cash.
  
  
• Ask for help! If you’re unsure, contact us. You’re not overreacting — you’re protecting yourself.
• Never share online banking credentials, passcodes or one-time security codes with anyone, even if they claim to be from a bank or a well-known company.
  
  
• Don’t click, especially if an email/text asks you to “verify,” “unlock,” or “secure” your account using a link. Call us instead.

Verify
Fraudsters can impersonate banks, businesses, government agencies and even people you know. If you receive a call, text, email or message that seems urgent or unusual, trust your gut — then verify.

• Use a trusted method to contact us - Call the number you know is correct (such as the number on your statement or our website) or visit your local branch.
  
  
• Don’t rely on caller ID - Phone numbers can be spoofed to look legitimate.
• Be careful with links - If a message asks you to log in, go to your online banking the way you normally do (not through a link in the message).
  
  
• When in doubt, stop and ask - We’re here to help you confirm whether something is real.

Report
If you think you’ve been targeted or scammed — even if you’re not sure — contact us immediately. Acting quickly can help you reduce losses and protect your accounts.

1. Call Customer Care at 207-284-4591, visit your local branch, or use the number on the back of your debit card to report urgent issues (especially after hours or for a lost/stolen card).
2. Save what you have - Screenshots, emails, texts, phone numbers, receipts and any details you remember (dates, amounts, what you were told).
3. Change passwords for any accounts that may be involved (email, online banking, payment apps) and turn on multi-factor authentication, where available.
4. Monitor your accounts for unusual activity and review statements regularly.

Everyday security tips (online and mobile banking)

• Turn on multi-factor authentication whenever it’s available. Click here to learn how to set up 2FA during your first digital banking login.
  
  
• Use strong, unique passwords, and a password manager if possible.
  
  
• Keep your phone and computer updated, including the operating system, browser and security updates.
  
  
• Avoid public Wi Fi for logging into financial accounts; if you must, use a trusted, secure connection.
  
  
• Lock your devices with a passcode or biometrics and enable remote wipe features.
  
  
• Review account activity regularly and set up alerts where available.

We’re here to help
Fraud can happen to anyone, and scammers are getting more convincing. If something doesn’t feel right, please contact us — the fastest way to stop fraud is to report it as soon as you suspect it.

Mutual Checking customers, have you activated Aura?

Your Mutual Checking or Mutual Interest Checking Account comes with a free subscription to an Aura¹ digital protection plan. Learn more about Aura here and start using your account today.

Identity Theft Protection - Identity theft happens when someone uses personal information like your name, Social Security number or credit card number without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Here are some ways to protect against identity theft:

• Keep Personal Information Personal - Don’t give out personal information over the phone, through the mail or on the internet, unless you know who you’re dealing with.
  
  
• Avoid Phishing – To visit a website mentioned in an email, type in a web address you know, avoid clicking on links.
  
  
• Keep Your Social Security Number (SSN) Safe – Keep your Social Security card in a safe place at home or in a lock box. Give out your SSN only if absolutely necessary and through a secure source.
  
  
• Use Shredding - Shred any documents containing personal information before you discard them.
• Travel - If you’re going on vacation or a business trip, call your credit and debit card provider(s) and let them know where you’re going and for how long.
  
  
• Use Contactless Debit Cards - Contactless cards are faster, more hygienic and more durable than swipe cards. They are also more secure than swipe cards, because they use short-range wireless technology (NFC, which works over short distances, and RFID, which works over greater distances) to generate a unique, one-time encrypted code for each transaction.
  
  
• Think you might be a victim of identity theft? Follow these recovery steps from the Federal Trade Commission.

AARP ReST: Emotional Support for Fraud Victims - AARP Fraud Watch Network and Volunteers of America offer AARP VOA ReST (Resilience, Strength and Time), a free, confidential online support program for people affected by fraud. For help, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.

Free Property Fraud Alerts - The Registry of Deeds in York and Cumberland Counties offer free property fraud alerts. Sign up to get an email when a document is recorded with your name — helpful protection against criminals who may try to sell or mortgage property using false or stolen ID:

• York County Residents 
• Cumberland Country Residents

Where to Turn After the Scam – First, call your bank. Then, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360, and be sure to file a report with local police, which will serve as evidence in restitution down the line.