Security Center

Recent Fraud Alerts

  • FTC warns about Social Media Fake Check Scam!
    This new social media scam seeks to trick young people into depositing fake checks in exchange for paintings of the victims, according to a new Federal Trade Commission alert. 

    Did you get a message on social from an "artist" asking you to paint your photo? It's a scam! Sometimes, scammers send direct messages on social media, saying they love your photo and want to pay you thousands of dollars to use it. They’ll send you a check and tell you to deposit it, take some money out to send to an artist for supplies, and keep the rest. They might even promise to pay you back for any money you send. But it’s all a scam, and you’ll never get reimbursed. 

    How to identify Social Media Fake Check Scam:

    • You receive a social media messages from an "artist" asking to pay you for photo
    • You receive a check from someone asking you to deposit it and send them some money back
    • The scammer will try to woo you with all kinds of promises
    • DO NOT reply to social media messages asking about money
    • DO NOT deposit check, it is fake!
    • ONLY deposit checks from people you know and trust
    • NEVER give your personal banking information to anyone

     

    Salem Five is also here to help! If you believe you have been a target of a scam, or have provided someone with your account or online banking information, contact us immediately at (800) 850-5000.


    For more information visit the FTC site here.

     

    Avoid Being Tricked by Deepfakes!
    A deepfake is a hoax created using AI generated video or audio clips that make it appear as though someone is saying or doing something they never did.

    How to identify deepfake video or audio:

    • Jerky movement, shifts in lighting from one frame to another, shifts in skin tone, strange/no blinking, or lips poorly synched with speech.
    • Choppy sentences, strange word choices, or abnormal tone of voice.
    • Don't believe everything you see online
    • Don't make financial decisions based on viral videos
    • Always confirm the identity of who you are speaking with
    • Have family members use a code word to identify themselves during emergencies

     

    Salem Five is also here to help! If you believe you have been a target of a scam, or have provided someone with your account or online banking information, contact us immediately at (800) 850-5000.


    For more information visit the FTC site here.

     

    We have received customer reports concerning criminals fraudulently impersonating Salem Five to verify fake transactions in an attempt to gain account access. Scammers posing as Salem Five may text or call you from what appears to be our 800 #. Don't be fooled, Salem Five will NEVER call you to ask for your User ID, password or to verify security codes.


    telephone-phone-fraud-icon.png 1. A text is sent posing as Salem Five's fraud department


    cell-phone-fraud-icon.png 2. A phone call is made and the phone number appears to be Salem Five's 800 #


    cell-phone-fraud-icon.png 3. The scammer claims there is fraud or other issue with customer account


    cell-phone-fraud-icon.png 4. The customer is fooled into providing user with access to their account


    cell-phone-fraud-icon.png 5. Fraudulent transactions - recently via Zelle® - are made from the customer's account

     
    Avoid Being Tricked by Caller ID Spoofing!
    • Don't share your online banking user ID or password with anyone, even if they say they are calling from Salem Five.
    • Don't authorize instant payments such as Zelle to anyone you don't personally know.
    • Don't click links or use QR codes received in unexpected emails or text messages.
    • Do frequently check your account online to review for any suspicious transactions that may have occurred.
    • Do carefully enter and verify the website address you intend to visit, such as salemfive.com.
    • Do create a bookmark for the legitimate website and use it for future visits.


    Avoid Being Tricked by Deepfakes!
    A deepfake is a hoax created using AI generated video or audio clips that make it appear as though someone is saying or doing something they never did.

    How to identify deepfake video or audio:

    • Jerky movement, shifts in lighting from one frame to another, shifts in skin tone, strange/no blinking, or lips poorly synched with speech.
    • Choppy sentences, strange word choices, or abnormal tone of voice.
    • Don't believe everything you see online
    • Don't make financial decisions based on viral videos
    • Always confirm the identity of who you are speaking with
    • Have family members use a code word to identify themselves during emergencies

     

    Salem Five is also here to help! If you believe you have been a target of a scam, or have provided someone with your account or online banking information, contact us immediately at (800) 850-5000.


    For more information visit the FTC site here.

     

    Salem Five wants to protect you, your information and your finances. We’ve noticed an uptick in fraudulent activity and want you to beware of scams requesting your money or sensitive personal information. We urge you to exercise caution in handling emails or texts with seemingly authentic subject lines or content, attachments, or links. In some instances, fraudsters are posing as Salem Five or other financial institutions, large retailers or even posing as the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). This outreach can also take the form of social media pleas, texts, or even door-to-door solicitations.


    Avoid becoming a target of a scam:
    • Be suspicious if someone contacts you unexpectedly and asks for your personal information.
    • You should never give out personal information such as bank account number, credit and debit card numbers, social security numbers or passwords.
    • Only open emails, respond to text messages, voice mails, or callers that are from people or organizations you know, and even then, be cautious if they look questionable.
    • To verify the legitimacy of communications, contact the supposed source by using an email address or telephone number that you know is valid.
    • Be especially aware of emails, texts or fake websites that have typos or other obvious mistakes.
    • Don't click links or use QR codes received in unexpected emails or text messages.

    If you have any questions or suspect you’ve been a target of fraud, please contact (800) 850-5000.

     

If you have questions or have been a casualty of fraud, please call (800) 850-5000 or email at mail@salemfive.com.