Scam Alerts
As we learn about scams in our local area, we will share information on this page. We encourage you to regularly monitor your financial accounts for suspicious and potentially fraudulent transactions. If you have a question about activity on your FSB statement, internet banking, or mobile app, please contact us at 507-639-9921 (Trimont) or 507-695-2724 (Dunnell).
DISCLAIMER: Please keep in mind that we offer these links as a convenience. Farmers State Bank of Trimont does not control the content of or approve any website that is linked through this browser. Search results are not filtered or screened by the Bank or any of its agents, representatives, or service providers. Users who search the Internet using this browser do so at their own risk and are responsible for the results. Farmers State Bank of Trimont is not responsible for the content, failure of products, or services advertised on the third-party website. Each third-party website may have a different privacy policy and may provide less security than Farmers State Bank of Trimont’s website.
DEBIT CARD SCAMS
If you receive a text message saying, "Your card is locked" and a phone number to call, IT IS A SCAM. Our fraud department will try to contact customers via text and phone call when a suspicious transaction has been made, however, our message will state our bank name and reference a specific transaction. If you have any questions, please call us in Trimont (507-639-9921) or Dunnell (507-695-2724) so we can look up your card status and activity. After banking hours, call 800-417-8715.
BITCOIN / DIGITAL CURRENCY SCAMS
If someone asks you to send money using Bitcoin or digital currency, it's a scam. If you receive any communication (email, text, message, tweet, etc.) asking you to send money using Bitcoin or pay using Bitcoin, it's a scam! These communications may promise that you'll make money, or double your money, or say that you'll get free money. BE AWARE that Bitcoin / digital currency is different than cash, checks, and credit or debit cards. With digital currency, once you send money, your money is gone and there's generally no way to get it back!
SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS
If you receive a phone call from someone saying they are from the Social Security Administration (SSA), it may be a scam. Social Security may call you in some situations, but will NEVER threaten you or demand payment. If the caller says there is a problem with your Social Security number or account, or asks you to pay a find with gift cards, digital currency, or mailing cash, IT IS A SCAM. Hang up! Do not give them personal or financial information! SSA will NOT ask for personal or financial information via email, text messages, or social media.
This poster provides additional information directly from the Social Security Administration.
Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams
IRS SCAMS
Typically, the IRS will mail you a letter prior to calling you or visiting you. If an IRS employee does call you, they will NOT demand payment by gift card or wire, and they will NOT ask for debit or credit card numbers over the phone. The IRS will NOT threaten to bring in law enforcement to arrest people for not paying their taxes. This link provides additional information on how the IRS contacts taxpayers:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/avoid-scams-know-the-facts-on-how-the-irs-contacts-taxpayers
COVID-19 / CORONA VIRUS SCAMS
Be alert of scams offering testing, cleaning supplies, or claiming to be health authorities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or Center for Disease Control (CDC). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers of potential scams and gives tips on how to avoid them:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/thinking-critically-about-coronavirus-news-and-information
For more information, visit the FTC's website: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/