STAY ALERT AGAINST COMMON SCAM ATTEMPTS

At Bank First, we believe being informed is the first step you can take to help protect your personal and financial information. We’re sharing recent scam attempts that have been making their rounds. Please take a moment to review the following common scams and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

Fake Anti-virus Emails

• Description: Scammers send emails claiming to be from reputable anti-virus companies, warning you of a supposed virus on your computer. They often include a link or attachment that, if clicked, can install malicious software on your device.
• What to Do: Never click links or download attachments from unexpected emails. Always verify the email’s legitimacy by contacting the company directly through official channels.

Pop-ups Stating You Have a Virus (Which Is Untrue)

• Description: These pop-ups appear while you’re browsing the internet, claiming that your computer is infected with a virus. They urge you to click a link or call a number to fix the issue, but doing so can lead to further scams or malware.
• What to Do: Close the pop-up immediately and avoid clicking any links. Consider using a pop-up blocker and ensure your anti-virus software is up to date.

Receiving Unexpected Checks

• Description: You might receive checks in the mail that you weren’t expecting, or someone might ask you to deposit a check and then send a portion of the money back via gift card, money order, wire, or a Bitcoin machine. These checks are often fraudulent, and you could be left liable for the total amount.
• What to Do: Do not deposit unexpected checks. Instead, contact your bank immediately to verify the check’s legitimacy.

We encourage you to keep these three things in mind:

1. Scams are successful because they are very believable. Always be skeptical of unsolicited communications and unexpected financial transactions.
2. Verify the source directly through official contact methods, and never share personal or financial information with unverified parties.
3. Don’t be embarrassed! Scams can and have happened to anyone. We’re here to help you get back on track and secure your personal and financial information.

If you have any questions or suspect you’ve been targeted by a scam, don’t hesitate to contact your local Bank First office right away.  We’re here to help!