How to Protect Yourself from Fraud and Where to Report It

In our latest video session, we’ve teamed up with our Support Director to bring you crucial insights into preventing and responding to fraudulent activities. While our video covers how to identify and avoid common scams, this accompanying blog post provides additional resources to help you take action if you suspect fraud.

Understanding Fraud: Fraud can take many forms, from identity theft to online scams, affecting countless individuals each year. Awareness and vigilance are your best defenses against these threats. Recognizing suspicious activities, such as unsolicited requests for your personal information or unexpected communications asking for money, is the first step in protecting yourself.

Understanding Spoofed calls: In a digital age where personal information is constantly at risk, scammers continually devise new methods to deceive individuals. One common tactic is spoofed calls, where fraudsters disguise themselves as legitimate institutions like Regent Bank to steal sensitive information. Spoofed calls can appear legitimate, displaying a phone number or name that mimics Regent Bank. These callers often create a sense of urgency to trick you into providing your Social Security number, bank account details, or other personal information.

Tips to Protect Yourself from a Spoof Call:

     1.    End the Call: If you’re unsure about the caller’s legitimacy, hang up immediately.

     2.    Initiate Contact: Always use official Regent Bank contact information to verify inquiries.

     3.    Stay Informed: Keep updated on the latest security practices and potential scams.

1. Secure Your Information: Always keep your personal and financial information secure. Avoid sharing your details like your Social Security number or bank account information, especially over the phone or via email.

2. Verify Sources: Before responding to any requests for your information, verify the legitimacy of the source. Contact the companies directly using official numbers and websites. Regent will NEVER ask for detailed personal information such as your full Social Security number or full debit card number over the phone.

3. Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest fraud prevention practices and be aware of common scams in your area.

If you find yourself a victim of fraud, it’s crucial to report it immediately. Here are some resources where you can report different types of fraud:

• Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft: Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

• Internet and Lottery/Sweepstakes Fraud: File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

• Mail Fraud: Report to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-800-372-8347 or online at USPIS.gov.

• Health Care Fraud: Contact the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or online at www.oig.hhs.gov.

• Securities Fraud: Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 or online at www.sec.gov/complaint/select.shtml.

For a complete list of where to report specific types of fraud, visit www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/report-fraud.

Armed with knowledge and the right resources, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to fraud. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always exercise caution and reach out to trusted authorities when in doubt.