Types of Fraud
Recognize fraud tactics.
Learn about common types of fraud. By recognizing the warning signs you can better protect your personal information and report suspicious activities.
Peoples Bank will never call, text, email or provide links/attachments requesting your security code, banking credentials, debit/credit card number, or to conduct banking transactions. If you’re ever in doubt, contact your local branch or our Customer Care Center at 800.374.6123.
Types of Fraud and Scams
| Type of Fraud/Scam | Description |
| Check Fraud | Check fraud involves producing, forging or stealing checks to unlawfully obtain money by altering a legitimate check for a different amount or recipient, printing a counterfeit check for an unauthorized account or forging details on a stolen check. Safety Tip: Individuals and businesses can reduce check fraud by minimizing physical check use. Consumers can use Direct Deposit and Bill Pay, while businesses can use Remote Deposit Capture and Positive Pay to eliminate most needs for checks. |
| Impersonation Scams | Scammers may impersonate government agencies, financial institutions, etc. to obtain account details or prompt financial transactions. Safety tip: Legitimate organizations will not ask for money or personal information. Don’t share details—end the call or message and directly contact the organization to confirm. |
| Online Shopping Scams | Scammers create fake websites, send emails posing as popular retailers or list items at low prices to steal payment information without delivering products. Safety tip: Stick to reputable sites, avoid unfamiliar links or pop-ups and check reviews from multiple sources before buying. Use secure payment methods like credit cards or trusted third-party services, such as Zelle. |
| Mortgage Phishing Attempts | Homeowners may receive urgent messages about mortgage issues, such as expiring warranties, insurance or lower rates, often appearing to be from their lender. Safety Tip: Ignore and discard such messages. Contact your lender directly to verify legitimacy. |
| Disaster Fraud | Scammers may pose as government workers or charities to exploit your information and finances under the guise of disaster assistance. Safety tip: Government employees don’t request money for disaster aid. If approached, verify their identity by contacting government agencies or local law enforcement. |
| Threat of Harm Scams | Scammers may threaten harm to you or your family if you don’t send money, sometimes using technology to mimic a loved one’s voice to convince you to act urgently. Safety tip: Use a “safe word” that only you and your family members know to validate the scenario. Report the incident to your bank and contact law enforcement if you feel threatened. |
| Investment Fraud | You may be contacted with “get-rich-quick” investment opportunities, only to disappear once you invest. Safety tip: Verify investment offers carefully. Be cautious with requests for personal or financial information, especially for payments via digital currency or instant transfers. |
| Sweepstakes, Prizes and Lotteries | You may receive notice you won a sweepstakes, prize or lottery and need to provide personal information to “process” your winnings. Safety tip: If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. If you didn’t enter a contest or are unsure, don’t share information. End the communication and contact the organization directly to confirm. |
Identity Theft Tactics
Identity theft happens when someone illegally uses your personal information to commit fraud, such as opening accounts, making purchases or accessing medical services, which can harm your credit and reputation.
Fraudsters may:
• Steal your ID, credit cards, debit cards, etc.
• Retrieve bank statements or other sensitive documents from your mailbox or trash.
• Install skimmers at ATM machines, fuel pumps and cash registers.
• Steal personal information from your electronic device while using public Wi-Fi or charging stations.
• Look through your social media profiles to gain identifying information.
Protect yourself against identity theft:
• Review your credit reports once a year from equifax.com, experian.com and transunion.com. If you find any suspicious or incorrect information, dispute it with the credit bureau.
• Regularly review your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions. Personal clients can take advantage of Peoples Bank’s card controls to turn on/off debit cards; get real-time alerts for spending limits, locations and transaction types; set travel notifications and reorder a PIN. Business clients can use account alerts to receive text/email notifications for deposit activity.
• Lock away documents with personal information and shred them when you dispose. Also, check your mail daily. If you are away from home, consider signing up for a hold mail or forwarding service.
• Do not give your personal information to anyone who calls, emails or texts you. Use a strong password for your online accounts (DO NOT use your name, Social Security number, birth date or other personal identifiers). Enable multi-factor authentication when possible.
Types of Cybercrime
| Type of Cybercrime | Description |
| Phishing | Scammers may pose as businesses or public figures via letters, texts, social media or emails to steal personal information and access your accounts. Safety Tip: Peoples Bank will never ask for your security code, banking credentials, card numbers, or request transactions via call, text, or email. If in doubt, contact your local branch or Customer Care Center at 800.374.6123. |
| Ransomware | Ransomware blocks access to devices or networks until a ransom is paid, often spread through links, email attachments or downloads. Safety Tip: Avoid clicking on unsolicited links or downloading from suspicious sites. Use reliable antivirus software, keep systems updated and regularly back up files offline. |
| Business Email Compromise (BEC) | Scammers may impersonate businesses or individuals and send an email urgently requesting payment via wire transfer. Safety tip: Always verify payment requests directly with the recipient. If the request is fraudulent, contact your financial institution to recall the transfer and request a Hold Harmless Letter or Letter of Indemnity. |
