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Consumer AlertsSpecial AlertsCheck back to this site often for any special consumer alerts which could affect you, your family or your business. Hawthorn Bank is committed to helping keep you informed with any information that is pertinent to your financial health.
As Tax Time Heats Up, IRS-Related Scams Increase
The Internal Revenue Service recently warned taxpayers to beware of several current e-mail and telephone scams that use the IRS name as a lure. These include:
Rebate Phone Call -- In this scam, consumers receive a phone call from someone identifying himself as an IRS employee. The caller tells the targeted victim that he or she is eligible for a sizable rebate for filing taxes early. The caller then asks for the victims bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate.
Refund e-mail -- Various e-mails supposedly from the IRS generally tell the recipient that he or she is eligible for a tax refund for a specific amount, and instructs the recipient to click on a link in the e-mail to access a refund-claim form. The form asks the recipient to enter personal information that the scammers can then use to access the e-mail recipients bank or credit card account.
Audit e-mail -- In another scam, the e-mail notifies the recipient that his or her tax return will be audited. It may contain a salutation in the body addressed to the specific recipient by name. This e-mail instructs the recipient to click on links to complete forms with personal and account information, which the scammers will use to commit identity theft.
Changes to tax law e-mail -- This bogus e-mail is addressed to businesses, accountants and treasury managers. It instructs them to download information on tax law changes by clicking on a series of links to publications on businesses, estate taxes, excise taxes, exempt organizations, IRAs and other retirement plans. Clicking on a link downloads malware onto the recipients computer.
Paper check phone call -- In this telephone scam, a caller claims to be an IRS employee who is calling because the IRS sent a check to the individual being called. The caller says that because the check has not been cashed, the IRS wants to verify the individuals bank account number.
Note: Anyone wishing to access the IRS Web site should initiate contact by typing the IRS.gov address into their Internet address window, rather than clicking on a link in an e-mail or opening an attachment. Those who have received a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS may forward it to a mailbox the IRS has established to receive such e-mails, phishing@irs.gov , using instructions contained in an article titled "How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing Schemes".
Special Alert: Fraud and Identity TheftFraud and identify theft continue to be of concern to everyone. You can be the best line of defense against fraud and identity theft, and you can find additional information on the matter at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. This is the US government's central Web site for information about identity theft.
Special Alert: ABA Offers Consumer Tips to Avoid Debit Card FraudTo avoid becoming a victim of debit card fraud, ABA offers these tips:
Check your bank statements often. Report unauthorized transactions immediately.
If you have a reason to suspect fraud, check your account balance immediately by using online banking, telephone banking or by printing an interim statement at the ATM.
Keep a record of card numbers, expiration dates and 1-800 numbers for banks so you can contact the issuing bank easily in cases of theft.
Keep your receipts to check against your statement.
Mark through any blank spaces on debit receipts, including the tip line at restaurants, so the total amount cannot be changed.
Know your limits. Many issuers limit daily purchases and withdrawals for your protection.
Do not use an ATM if it looks suspicious; it could be a skimming device.
Be wary of those trying to help you, especially when an ATM "eats" your card. They may be trying to steal your card number and PIN.
Do not give your PIN number to anyone over the phone. Thieves often steal cards and then call the victims for their PIN, claiming to be law enforcement or the issuing bank.
Special Alert: Fraudulent Anti-Terrorist Stop Order LettersThese letters are being sent to bank customers. Copies of these ANTI-TERRORIST letters have been received by FinCEN that notify consumers that mandatory fees, in amounts of approximately $25,000, are required for the issuance of a ANTI-TERRORIST CERTIFICATE before transactions may continue to be conducted.
These letters were NOT sent by FinCEN and represent a fraudulent attempt to elicit funds from customers. Please see FinCENĄ¯s Website to see an example of one of these letters. Consumers should NOT provide any information nor send any funds, to any address as indicated in these letters. Further, consumers should NOT follow any instructions contained in these letters to access their accounts on-line.
Further, there are instances in which other letters are being circulated which claim that FinCEN is freezing assets and endorsing investment schemes. FinCEN does NOT have authority to freeze assets and does NOT endorse investment schemes.
FinCEN is working closely with law enforcement agencies to identify the source of these letters and disrupt these scams. Until this is accomplished, if consumers receive any letters such as these (Samples NC hyperlink), or experience any similar attempts to obtain account information or funds, they are requested to notify FinCEN at webmaster@fincen.treas.gov.
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