|
In this variation of the bank impersonation scam, criminals are accessing PPP loan information published by the government – including business name, loan number and originating bank – and posing as bank representatives to commit fraud. Here's a typical example:
1.) You get a phone call, email, or text from a bank representative, who says there is an urgent problem with your account (such as an issue with a wire transfer, payment or payroll). Remember, criminals can spoof a bank's name and phone number on your Caller ID display.
2.) To fix the issue, first they ask you for your online banking User ID. They may say this is just "a security precaution" or "to verify your identity."
3.) Then they send you a security code. When it arrives, they ask you to tell them the security code. (In reality, the criminal has initiated the "Forgot Password?" process for your online banking User ID, and the code is actually the password reset verification code.)
4.) With your User ID and the verification code, the criminal resets your password and locks you out of online banking. The criminal now has complete access to your accounts. You might be told that you won't be able to access online banking while they are "fixing the problem."
| 
