Recent Fraud Alerts

July 25, 2019

Social Security is NOT Calling You

Getting calls saying your Social Security number is suspended because of suspicious activity? It’s a scam. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is not calling you, no matter what your caller ID says.

Scams involving your Social Security number and benefits are on the rise! Here are the facts:

• Government employees will not threaten to take away benefits or ask for money or personal information to protect your Social Security card or benefits.
• Scammers can fake your caller ID. So don't be fooled if the call seems to be from the SSA's real phone number (800) 772-1213 or the SSA Inspector General's Fraud Hotline number.
• If a caller asks for your Social Security number, bank account number or credit card information, hang up.

Report suspected scams to the SSA Inspector General at (800) 269-0271 or oig.ssa.gov/report. Visit IdentityTheft.gov/SSA for more tips.

To report these scams, go to ftc.gov/complaint. And for more tips, visit IdentityTheft.gov/SSA.

March 15, 2018

Fraudsters are 'Phishing' for W2s

The IRS has detected instances of attempted fraud as tax time nears.  Scam artists have sent IRS-related emails from false addresses "phishing" for W2 information. Sometimes these requests were followed by or combined with a request for an unauthorized wire transfer. The most popular method remains impersonating an executive, either through a compromised or spoofed email, in order to obtain W-2 information from a Human Resource professional within an organization.  Read the full Public Service Announcement for information on protecting yourself and what to do if you are a victim of data fraud.

January 18, 2018

The "Meltdown" and "Spectre" bugs

You may have read that it was recently discovered nearly all computer systems worldwide have a hardware bug called "Meltdown" and "Spectre".  These are flaws found in processing chips that exist in the majority of modern computing devices. This includes desktops, laptops, servers, tablets and smartphones.

Systems and certain applications (e.g., web browsers) that are not patched against these threats run the risk of leaking sensitive information to attackers.  Fortunately, as of this announcement, there have been no reports of these attacks being successfully executed.

How can I defend against these threats?
Companies that use the affected chips in their products—including Microsoft, Apple, and Google—are actively working to release patches, which should come as part of future updates. It is recommended that you update as soon as you are prompted. This includes:
• Operating systems (e.g., Windows, macOS)
• Desktop and laptop firmware (e.g., Lenovo, Dell)
• Mobile device firmware (e.g., Android, iOS)
• Applications (e.g., web browsers)

However, please be aware that bad guys are using this major event to try to trick you into downloading malware that claims to be a patch for the "Meltdown" and "Spectre" hardware issue. Don't fall for it! Take precautions. Patches should only come from official sources like the manufacturer of your PC or the developers of your Operating System (Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac).

September 10, 2017

The Equifax Breach

Equifax, one of the three major credit reporting bureaus, recently announced a cyber security breach that took place from mid-May through July of this year and may have impacted as many as 143 million U.S. consumers.  According to Equifax, the information accessed included names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers.  The breach also included credit card numbers for about 209,000 people and dispute documents with personal identifying information for about 182,000 people.

Equifax has established a dedicated website to help consumers determine if their information has been potentially impacted.  Whether or not your information was exposed, U.S. consumers can also sign up for free credit monitoring and identity theft protection through the Equifax website.  Please visit https://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com/ today for your protection.

For additional information about what steps you can take to protect yourself visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/09/equifax-data-breach-what-do. If you have questions please call the Equifax dedicated support line at 866-447-7559; open every day (including weekends) from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. EST.

A Note about Debit Cards

Mansfield Bank uses Fraud Prevention technology on all our debit cards. If you notice any unfamiliar activity on your account, or if your card has been deactivated due to fraud concerns, please call our Customer Service Department at 508-851-3600. 

May 11, 2016

FBI FRAUD ALERT

If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you may be getting scammed!

• Are you about to cash a check from an item you sold on the Internet, such as a car, boat, jewelry, etc.?
• Is it the result of communicating with someone by email?
• Did it arrive via an overnight delivery service?
• Is it from a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product?
• Is the amount for more than the item’s selling price?
• Are you sending money overseas?
• Did you win an international lottery you didn’t enter?
• Have you been asked to pay money to receive an inheritance from another country?
• Are you receiving a commission for accepting money transfers through your bank and/or PayPal account?

To report an online crime, go to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Ongoing

Over the past few years, some of our customers may have received email from malicious individuals or groups posing as legitimate financial service companies, insurance companies, and other entities such as the FDIC. These individuals attempt to trick users into revealing personal information such as Credit Card Numbers, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), Social Security Numbers and Passwords.

These individuals use this information to perpetrate fraud and financial crimes against individuals and by the time the victim realizes it, it is too late. You should be aware that:

• Mansfield Bank will never send unsolicited email or other type of communication request asking you to verify any of your personal or financial information. We will never send a link to our website through email without telling you first or without you requesting us to do so.
• If you receive a suspicious request from us please report it to us at: dmartin@mansfieldbank.bank or blord@mansfieldbank.bank. 
• If you believe that you gave out sensitive information regarding your accounts please call us 508-851-3600.