Fraud/Identity Theft

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identification information, like your name, Social Security number or credit card number, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Here are some ways you can protect yourself:

Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier. Don’t give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or on the internet unless you know who you are dealing with.

Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Keep your anti-spyware and anti-virus software up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.

Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you’re going on vacation or a business trip, call your credit card company(s) and let them know where you’re going and for how long.

Think you might be a victim?

What should you do if you are an apparent victim of identity theft? Learn More.

Maine Fraud Prevention Alliance

We are proud to be a founding member of the MFPA. Find out more about the MFPA and how you can DASH Fraud. Learn more

FraudWatch PLUS

As our customer, your card is protected 24/7. Through Fraud Prevention Services, we provide industry leading technology, tools and expertise to manage fraud. Experienced fraud analysts work around the clock, watching for any suspicious card activity and will contact you immediately if they detect potential fraud on your card. In cases where transactions appear to be suspicious, and you are contacted by Fraud Prevention Services, you will be asked for the LAST 4 DIGITS of your social security number to verify your identity. Learn More

If you have any questions about this service, please contact our Customer Care Department at 207-284-4591. The Bank will receive a notification from Fraud Prevention Services whenever they attempt to contact you.

8 Ways to Stop an Identity Thief

More than 15.4 million Americans were victims of identity fraud last year, according to Javelin Strategy & Research. The American Bankers Association is offering eight tips to help consumers protect their information and avoid becoming a victim.

“Identity fraud continues to be a major problem for consumers,” said Doug Johnson, ABA’s senior vice president of payments and cybersecurity policy. “Fortunately, there are ways consumers can protect themselves, like being cautious about what information they share and who they share it with, especially online.”

ABA suggests following these eight tips:

AARP Scam Alerts

1. January
   1. New Year’s Resolution
      It’s New Year’s Resolution time. Time to make a commitment to be fraud aware in 2020. For the next 52 weeks, like clockwork, scammers will be on the prowl looking to steal our money or sensitive information. While there is no way to stop these attempts from happening, we can all take steps to make sure we don’t fall victim. Remember the basics: only share sensitive information when needed with people who you know and trust – like your doctor; don’t click on web links from untrusted emailers; and if someone asks you to make a payment using a gift card, it is a scam.

   2. Credit Repair Scams
      If you’re like a lot of Americans, you spent a lot this holiday season and you might be in the mood to tackle your debt in the New Year. Getting yourself out of debt is hard work. It takes time and discipline. Be wary of offers of guaranteed quick fixes. Con artists prey on consumer’s frustration over finances by offering the keys to getting your finances in order. These offers usually involve up-front fees, bad advice like stopping communication with your creditors and vague details on what services they actually provide.

   3. Package Theft
      The holidays may be over, but Porch Pirate season never ends. While at-home deliveries are at their highest over the holiday season, direct-to-home shopping happens every day around the country. Here are some simple steps you can take to safeguard your orders: schedule deliveries for times when you are home; ask neighbors to pick up packages for you if you can’t be home; ask the shipper to put packages out of sight, like on a side porch or under a bush; and use parcel lockers if they are available in your area. Also, be aware of emails claiming a package is being held and the shipper needs more information. These can be phishing attacks meant to capture payment information or to get you to download malicious software.
      

       

   4. Utility Bill Scams
      Winter is upon us and with temperatures plummeting in many areas, keeping the heat on is critical — a fact that scammers try to take advantage of. Each winter, utility scams spike as con artists claiming to be from the utility company threaten to cut off service if an immediate payment isn’t made. The goal of these crooks is to create a sense of panic in their targets to act hastily and hand over payment information or even buy gift cards to pay the supposed debt. If you get a surprise visit or call from the “utility company” this winter, ask questions like what your bill history is or what the individual’s employee ID number is, and then follow up to confirm before taking any action.
2. December
   1. Seasonal Work Scams
      Who couldn’t use a little extra money over the holidays? As many as a half million people will take seasonal jobs during the holiday season. And scammers will be out there trying to take advantage of seasonal workers by posing as employers on third-party websites. When you apply for these job listings, you will be promoted to provide personal information such as date of birth, address and Social Security number for “verification purposes.” Scammers can then use this information to steal your identity. One big red flag to look out for is a job which offers a lot of money for very little work. If the position seems too good to be true, it is probably a scam. If you have questions about a job listing you see online, go directly to the business website or give them a call.

   2. Gift Exchange
      Whether at work or school, December is the season for gift exchanges and scammers want to get in on the action. One pyramid scam often seen around this season involves a viral social media post about joining in a Secret Holiday gift exchange. It promises that if you send one gift to a recipient, you will receive upwards of 30 gifts in return. However, these chain “gift exchanges” are a form of illegal gambling. Not only may you not receive any gifts, but you also may end up in legal trouble. With so many ways to give in real life, skip the virtual gift giving and have a safer holiday season.

   3. Gift Cards
      Gift cards are a great idea for gift giving, but do you know how to spot one that’s been compromised? Check the back of the card to make sure the strip over the activation code is intact. Don’t buy the first card on the rack as they are the top target for impatient scammers. Lastly, register your gift card with the retailer if it is an option. This will make it easier to report misuse if it occurs. Your safest bet is to buy gift cards that are stored safely behind the counter or purchase them online directly from the retailer. 
3. November
   1. Bank Impostor Scam
      A new scam that has emerged this summer involves criminals posing as bank representatives and offering to pick up a customer’s “compromised” bank card. This scam originates over the phone with the impostor offering to send a ”senior services” agent to the house to pick up the credit card or debit card and PIN  so the problem can be fixed. The crook then racks up credit card debt or drains checking accounts attached to debit cards.

      Know this: banks don’t have “senior service centers” from which they send bank employees to your home. If you get a call like this, hang up.

   2. Freezing Your Credit
      The sheer volume of data breaches makes all of us vulnerable to identity theft. Placing a freeze on your credit is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from identity fraud – when someone uses your information to open accounts in your name, or even take over your existing accounts.

      Here’s what to know before you start the process. First, you will have to freeze your credit with each of the three major credit agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You will also need to create passwords and PINs for each, so have a filing system for retrieving the information if you need to unfreeze your credit in the future. If you are placing a freeze for other family members, you will need their Social Security numbers.

   3. Pet Scams (Holiday)
      The holidays are a popular time to add a new furry member to the family, but choosing a pet – especially online - can be tricky and sometimes dangerous. A national survey found that more than 80% of sponsored search sites offering pets for sale were fraudulent in 2017. The websites look legit and the “sellers” will ask you typical adoption questions, but the adorable photos you are falling in love with are stolen from legitimate sites. Once you start paying these scammers, the charges start to pile up for things like last minute medical needs or travel expenses, and the pet you’ve fallen in love with never shows up.

      Thoroughly vet any online offering from breeders, shelters or rescue organizations. Better yet, consider adopting locally.

   4. Cyber Monday Scams (Holiday)
      Everyone is on the lookout for the best Cyber Monday deal, which means scammers are on the lookout for you. Reported scams from fake shopping websites increased by 30% in 2017, according to Experian. Here are some tips to make sure the hot deal you’re clicking on is really legitimate.

      Be suspicious of any discounts larger than 55% off. Irregular contact information, such as a Yahoo or Gmail address instead of a corporate account is another red flag. Web addresses that are overly complex, don’t include the corporate name or don’t start with https: are also indicators that your data and your money may not be safe.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Report scams to local law enforcement. Visit the AARP Fraud Website for more information on fraud prevention.

The Federal Trade Commission and American Bankers Association have posted a helpful infographic on Fake Check Scams.

Click here to view the Fake check Scam Infographic.