Catfishing involves creating fake online personas to deceive others, often for emotional or financial gain. It can occur on social media, dating sites, and online games. Be cautious when interacting with people online to avoid falling victim to catfishing.

As non-regulated and non-tracked currencies gain popularity, new scams are emerging. These include imposters posing as agents demanding crypto or gift card payments, fake Bitcoin retirement accounts, and deceptive trading schemes. 

It's important to be very careful and watch out for these scams, especially if you're unfamiliar with digital money. If someone asks for money this way, it's a good idea to ask someone you trust for help before making any payments.

Device Servicing and Maintenance scams are deceptive schemes where scammers pose as IT professionals from well-known tech giants like Apple, Samsung, or Microsoft. They aim to gain your trust and extract sensitive login information and passwords. They often reach out via phone calls or emails, insisting on the urgent need for your device's attention. Sometimes, they may even request remote access to your device, potentially locking it down and demanding a ransom for control restoration.

These scams aim to deceive victims into providing financial information or logging into their accounts while surreptitiously recording these details. Scammers later exploit this information to access your bank accounts or credit card data, enabling them to steal your money. To safeguard yourself, exercise vigilance, treat unsolicited requests for personal information with skepticism, and verify the authenticity of service claims. Legitimate companies typically do not require sensitive information or initiate uninvited remote access to your devices.

If you've suspect you have experienced a device servicing and maintenance scam, contact us immediately and update your credentials.

This scheme is designed to steal financial and personal information, impacting car owners and vehicle loan holders. Typically initiated through automated phone messages, this scam preys on individuals by offering fake vehicle warranty extensions and exploiting their personal and financial data for malicious purposes.

Caution is crucial; refrain from sharing sensitive information in response to these calls. If you receive an automated message like this, do not call the number back. Avoid engaging, as it could potentially place you at risk.

Scammers impersonate your bank via text, call, or email to steal account credentials, creating urgency with claims of account issues or identity verification. Legitimate financial institutions will never ask for sensitive information through
unsolicited communication. Be cautious of urgent, unexpected messages with links or phone numbers.

First Commonwealth will never contact you to ask for your Password, PIN, Secure Access Code (SAC), or personal information. If you receive a text message, phone call, or email asking for your account information, do not respond to it and/or hang up immediately.

Scammers target those seeking loans with false promises of forgiveness, low rates, and upfront fees, often impersonating government agencies. 

Borrowers should be cautious, verify the legitimacy of offers, and report suspicious activities to authorities while seeking accurate information from official government sources and their loan servicer. Legitimate federal student loan services do not charge upfront fees.

Phishing scams use fraudulent messages disguised as trusted sources to steal personal information, often impersonating colleagues, friends, or government entities. Never click links from unknown senders. 

Verify the authenticity of such messages, and don't click on links or download attachments unless you're sure they are safe. Use reputable security software and regularly update your passwords to add an extra layer of protection against phishing attempts.

Romance scams, or sweetheart scams, involve fake identities designed to create emotional connections and trick victims into sending money for fabricated needs like medical emergencies or travel expenses. 

To protect yourself, never send money to someone you've met online, verify their identity, and use reputable dating sites. If something feels off, report it and consult a trusted friend or family member.

Text message scams, commonly known as "smishing," involve deceptive Urmessages designed to trick you into revealing personal information, such as bank account details, passwords, or Social Security numbers. These messages may appear to be from banks, offering fake contest wins, or even warn you about unauthorized account activity.

Look out for these warning signs: 
• Urgency: Messages that create a false sense of urgency, demanding immediate action at odd hours.
• Unkown Numbers: Be suspicious if the message comes from a number not linked to the official service provider.
• Spelling and Grammar Errors: Professional organizations ensure clear communication. If you spot mistakes, it's likely a scam.
• Suspicious Links: Hover over links (without clicking) to check the URL. If it doesn't match the official website, do not click it.

Stay alert and aware to protect yourself from text message scams. Never share personal details via insecure channels like SMS. Always verify messages by contacting the organization directly using official contact details. Use official apps, enable two-factor authentication, and keep your phone updated with security software.

If you suspect a scam, do not respond. Report it to your mobile carrier and file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps prevent others from becoming victims.