Safety & Fraud Prevention
NOTE: Bank of Labor will never reach out to you asking for personal information. If you receive any suspicious communication (text, phone, email, or social media), please do not click on any links and contact us immediately at 913.321.4242.
File These Tips to Spot & Stop Tax Fraud.
The IRS estimates that Tax Fraud costs the US $1 trillion a year. Tax Fraud takes many forms, including:
- False exemptions or deductions
- Kickbacks
- A false or altered document
- More Types of Tax Fraud
If you suspect possible tax fraud, you can do something about it! The IRS has an online form you can submit to report suspected tax fraud: How Do You Report Suspected Tax Fraud Activity? | Internal Revenue Service
Learn more about how to spot and avoid Tax Fraud at:
Tax Fraud Alerts | Internal Revenue Service
Tax Return Preparer Fraud – Taxpayer Advocate Service
There’s Nothing Sweet About Sweetheart Scams.
The author of Red Flags of Love Fraud shared 7 tips to help spot a Romance Scam Artist in a recent Reader’s Digest article. The story also includes steps to take if you think you may be a victim of a romance scam: How to Spot Romance Scams in 2022: Signs You’re Dating a Scammer (rd.com)
Friendly or Phony?
ProPublica shares tips to help you avoid ‘friendly’ online chats that are crafted to lure unsuspecting consumers into fraudulent online investment get-rich-schemes.
It’s a scam technique known as ‘Pig Butchering’, in reference to fattening livestock before slaughter:
You Better Watch Out for
Holiday Scams.
The FBI wants shoppers to be on the lookout for holiday scams.
Here are some of their top tips to help you stay safe throughout the season:
Reduce Your Risk of
Shopping Scams.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday can offer
shoppers a deal, but thieves use the opportunity
to steal information.
The Better Business Bureau® warns of fake survey
scams popping up around holiday shopping:
Survey scam gets a holiday twist | BBB®
Cell Phone Security is
Always a Good Call.
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has a checklist to help cell phone users reduce exposure to mobile device spam and fraud:
CISA Capacity Enhancement Guide. Mobile Device Cybersecurity Checklist for Consumers
It Pays to Protect Yourself from Ransomware.
Think of ransomware as digital ‘kidnapping’ of device files. Criminals install malware that makes your information unusable until you pay a ransom for them to decrypt your data. The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) provides a list of steps you can take now to help keep your information from being ‘snatched’ by cyber thieves.
Learn more at: Tips and Tactics: Ransomware | NIST.gov
Fraud Alert: Smishing
and Vishing.
Bank of Labor wants to inform you of two scams (known as “smishing” and “vishing”) that are on the rise.
Smishing involves fraudsters sending text messages containing a link that look as though they have been sent by the bank. Once the link is selected, fraudsters call pretending to be from the bank (this is known as “vishing”) and ask for online banking credentials (login ID/Password) and the One Time Passcode sent to your phone.
Bank of Labor will never ask you to provide this information through a text, email, or phone call. Be extremely cautious when responding to text messages, emails and phone calls that ask for personal information and/or banking credentials/account numbers.
Learn more at: Threat Advisory: Online Banking Advanced Social Engineering | SBS Cybersecurity
Customer Account Security.
Banks go to great lengths to ensure the security of customer accounts but there are measures customers themselves can also take to further reduce risk of any account fraud. Here are 5 tips from AARP® to help improve your account security: How to Prevent Bank Fraud and Secure Your Bank Account (aarp.org)
Brush up on School Safety Tips.
SchoolSafety.gov is a government program created to provide guidance and resources to help keep school communities safe. The website includes information on how schools and families can prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from a range of school safety threats, hazards, and emergency situations.
Learn more at: Find School Safety Resources | SchoolSafety.gov
Tips to Avoid Scams Targeting the Elderly.
Financial predators often zero-in on older adults. But Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s free “Money Smart for Older Adults” can help older adults, family caregivers and others outsmart and fight back against financial exploitation.
AARP also offers tips on how to recognize and report elder abuse fraud:
Protecting Yourself Against Consumer Fraud | AARP
Slam Email Scams.
The federal agency CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) offers tips to help rescue you from email scams plus seven steps you can follow to zap other villainous email fraud attempts you may encounter down the road.
FBI Releases 2021 Internet Crime Report
Contact Us
Need to reach us? Please contact us at the number below and our team will gladly assist you. If you would like to open an account or speak to a personal banker visit us at any of our locations located in the Greater Kansas City Metro Area.
Telephone
+1 913 321 4242
Address
756 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, Kansas 66101