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Smishing Unpaid Toll Scam

Smishing Unpaid Toll Scam

Written by CedarStone Bank News on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Be cautious when sharing your personal information, especially with the rise of “smishing” scams — fraudulent text messages designed to trick you into giving up sensitive data like credit card numbers or personal details.

Even the most tech-savvy individuals can fall for these schemes. A common example: you receive a text claiming you owe money for an unpaid highway or interstate toll. The message may threaten late fees or legal consequences, urging you to act quickly by clicking a link.

Here’s how it typically happens: You’re on the go when a message pops up. It looks official — maybe even branded with a state agency logo — and it says you missed a toll payment. Wanting to avoid penalties, you quickly follow the link and enter your payment info on what appears to be a legitimate site. Only later do you realize it was a scam.

The key takeaway? Don’t click links you can’t verify, and never share personal or payment information in response to unsolicited messages. Scammers send out thousands of these texts hoping just a few people will take the bait — don’t let it be you.

CedarStone Bank Snow Closure

Modified Hours for Inclement Weather

Written by CedarStone Bank News on . Posted in Closings.

Due to inclement weather and current forecasts, our hours will be modified on Thursday, February 20th to be open 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. We will continue to monitor the weather and roads in the event these hours need to be changed. Please continue to check our website and social media for any necessary updates that may need to be made. You can always access your account through online banking and telephone banking. 1-888-730-7483

CedarStone Bank Snow Closure

Modified Hours For Inclement Weather – Wednesday, February 19

Written by CedarStone Bank News on . Posted in Closings.

Due to inclement weather and current forecasts, our hours will be modified on Wednesday, February 19 to be open 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. We will continue to monitor the weather and roads in the event these hours need to be changed. Please continue to check our website and social media for any necessary updates that may need to be made. You can always access your account through online banking and telephone banking. 1-888-730-7483

Unexpected Package Scam

Unexpected Package Scam

Written by CedarStone Bank News on . Posted in Privacy & Security.

There’s something thrilling about opening the mailbox or front door to find an unexpected package. While free gifts might seem exciting, receiving an unanticipated delivery could come with hidden risks.

Scammers are now sending counterfeit “luxury” items, such as rings, beauty products, and even Bluetooth speakers. This deceptive tactic is known as a “brushing scam,” named for the way it helps the scammer “brush up” their sales. Here’s how it works: scammers or sellers of counterfeit goods gather personal details, like your address, online. They then send you items you never ordered and use your information to post fake reviews about their products under your name, boosting their sales in the process.

You might wonder, “Who cares if a fake review is posted in my name?” The issue is, if you’ve received a package you didn’t order, it’s likely that someone has your personal information. Dealing with the fallout from identity theft could lead to significant time and financial loss.

If you’ve received an unexpected package, here’s what you should do:

  1. Change your passwords on all your online shopping accounts to protect them in case they’ve been compromised.
  2. If the package came from a marketplace like Amazon, report it to the platform so they can investigate and possibly remove the seller.
  3. Monitor your credit weekly by checking your report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com to look for any signs of identity theft.
  4. Avoid contacting the sender. If you search for their contact details and reach out, there’s a chance you’ll be targeted for further attempts to steal sensitive information.

If you’ve received a package you didn’t order, keep the items and report the scam, along with any fake reviews, to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.