Banking Fraud: Security Alerts & Resources

• Beware of spoofed websites — Fraudsters often create fake login pages that look real. The safest way to access online banking is by typing the official Rockland Trust website address directly into your browser or by using the Rockland Trust Mobile Banking app.

•  Software — Keep your antivirus software active and up-to-date. Never deactivate it due to performance issues. If you don’t have a firewall, install one.

• Password and login best practices — Use strong, unique passwords for every account. Enable multi-factor authentication, avoid saving passwords on shared devices, and never reuse old passwords.

• Recognizing fraud and scams — Be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, or emails asking for personal information. Look for red flags like pressure to act quickly, requests for payment in gift cards, or messages with spelling errors or suspicious links.

• Safe online and mobile banking tips — Always log in through your bank’s official website or app. Avoid using public Wi‑Fi for financial activity.

• Protecting your devices — Keep your operating system and apps updated, use screen locks, and avoid downloading apps or files from unknown sources.

• Credit — Monitor your credit report regularly. Free reports are available at AnnualCreditReport.com.

• Sharing — Do not share your account, debit card, PIN, or login information with anyone. Also, use extreme caution when screen sharing or allowing remote access to your computer or mobile device.

• Set account alerts — Set up transaction alerts in online or mobile banking.

• Download the SecurLOCK Equip App — Misplaced your debit card? Turn your card on or off instantly using the SecurLOCK Equip app. 

Scammers use many tactics to trick people into sharing money or personal information. Here are some of the most common:

• Elder fraud — Strangers, caregivers, or sometimes even close family members, pretend to act in the best interest of an older adult’s finances but actually use those funds for their own personal benefit. Only a small fraction of incidents are reported as the elderly victim does not want to appear as someone who is easily manipulated in fear that they may be put in a nursing home or have their current way of life taken away from them.

• Sweetheart scams — Dating websites can sometimes have fraudsters preying on people who are lonely and in need of companionship. They will say and do anything over chat to earn the person’s trust and make themselves out to be the ideal partner. Eventually, they will say they want to meet but that they live far away, are having car troubles, or have other excuses, and that they need money to afford the trip to meet up. They will keep this up for as long as possible in hopes of extorting the victim for as much money as possible.

• Grandparent scams — Scammers will reach out, usually by phone, pretending to be a grandchild in trouble and needing money to get out of the situation they are in. Claims can range from being stuck in a foreign country, being put in jail, or some other kind of trouble. They will ask for money to be sent right away to get them out of their situation. The scammer pretending to be a grandchild will beg for secrecy as they do not want their parents to find out.

• Overpayment scams — A fake buyer sends a fraudulent check and asks you to return the “extra” funds.

• Sweepstakes scams — Scammers try to get money or personal information by saying someone won or qualified for a sweep­stakes, lottery, or contest. They claim that to get the prize, one has to pay a fee to collect it or for it to be sent. Some of these scams require the victim to provide personal information to claim the winnings. These scams may arrive by mail, email, phone, or text.

• Pay yourself scams — It starts with a text message that looks like a fraud alert from your bank. If you respond, you’ll receive a call from a number that appears to be your bank. The scammer claims to work at the bank and offers to stop the fraud by having you send yourself money with Zelle®. They ask for a security code that was sent to you so they can identify you, and authorize the payment to yourself. If you give the scammer the security code, they can now link their bank account to your phone number or email address. Now the money you thought you were send­ing to yourself is sent directly to their bank account.

• Fake invoices scam —  Scammers exploit the fact that business owners are often busy and short on resources. They will send your business a fake invoice, impersonating a reputable vendor. They hope that you will process the invoice without verifying the altered payment information because it appears to be from a known source.

If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, take these quick steps to protect yourself:

If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, it’s important to report it to the appropriate agencies so they can investigate and help protect others.

• Report the scam — Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov,  You should also make a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and contact your state's consumer protection agency.