Merrimack County Savings Bank (The Merrimack) is seeing a significant increase in customers being targeted by scammers impersonating known bank employees, resulting in financial losses. Most recently, customers have reported receiving a phone call from a scammer impersonating a legitimate bank employee stating there’s an issue with an account, before requesting banking information and credentials. Whether you’re […]
“Wrong Number” Text Scams on the Rise
If you own a smartphone, you have probably received text messages from someone who acts like they know you. The message may be about an urgent meeting or appointment, or just a friendly get together. Out of politeness, you may text back “Sorry, wrong number” – which is what scammers are counting on. Once they receive a response, […]
What is Pharming?
Using common scamming methods, such as phishing or smishing, scammers are carrying out pharming cyber-attacks. Pharming consists of the scammer creating a code disguised as a link that directs the victim to a malicious website. From there the scammer can trick the victim into disclosing their personal information or install malware on their device. How does it work? It […]
PPP Loan Recipients Being Targeted by Scammers
Loan recipients of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) are being targeted by scammers nationwide, including here in New Hampshire. According to our Fraud Mitigation Team, scammers are pretending to be an employee of The Merrimack – requesting verification of your automatic clearing house (ACH) and/or online banking credentials. This information gives scammers access to online banking and […]
Fraudulent QR Code Scams on the Rise
Quick Response (QR) codes are back in the spotlight after making a resurgence during the COVID‑19 pandemic. It seems like everywhere we look these days there’s a square barcode for us to scan with our smartphones. Whether the code provides quick access to a website, restaurant menu, or direct payment, hackers have caught on to the convenient technology. […]
7 Steps to Protect Yourself after a Data Breach
There’s been a data breach. You may have even received an official notification confirming your personal information has been exposed. Now what? According to the Better Business Bureau, here’s 7 steps you can take if your credit or debit card(s) were compromised by a data breach. Stay calm. You’re not liable for fraudulent charges on stolen account numbers. Check the official website. […]
More Fake Texts from “Merrimack County Savings Bank” – Don’t Click the Link!
We have received reports that customers are being targeted by a series of fake text alerts coming from “Merrimack County Savings Bank” and other local banks. The message may ask you to verify a large purchase and provides a link to click for verification. Do not click on this fake link! The link leads an unsuspecting consumer to […]
Booking.com Warns of Increase in Travel Scams
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is to blame for the 900% increase in travel scams over in the past 18 months. According to Booking.com, scammers are using AI tools, like ChatGPT, to trick people into handing over their financial information. Using AI to mimic legitimate travel companies, such as Booking.com and Airbnb, scammers are sending convincing emails that include […]
ATM Safety Tips
We may be living in a digital world, but ATMs remain a prime target for criminals. Whether they attempt to breach the machine through physical means or through malware, it’s important to keep you and your money safe. Here’s six tips to help you stay safe and your ATM transactions completely secure:Be aware of your surroundings, particularly […]
Ticketmaster Data Breach Affects 560 Million Customers
If you’ve ever used Ticketmaster, one of the largest online ticket sales platforms in the world, listen up! A hacking group claims it breached the ticketing giant and stole data from about 560 million users worldwide. This could lead to severe implications for the affected users such as potential identity theft, financial fraud and further cyber-attacks. The compromised […]