Understanding Romance Scams: Protect Yourself from Fraud Romance scams are a growing concern that can leave individuals emotionally and financially devastated. These scams often begin online through dating apps or social media platforms, where scammers exploit the desire for love and companionship. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in 2023 alone, victims reported losing […]
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Understanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Their Benefits What is an HSA? An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account designed to help individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) save for medical expenses. The funds in your HSA can be used to pay for a wide range of qualified medical expenses, including doctor visits, prescriptions, dental
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What You Should Know About Gift Cards So you can enjoy giving and receiving Gift cards can be a convenient present for the holidays and special occasions. While they seem simple, it is important that both the giver and the recipient read the details for each card to avoid any misunderstandings, and there might be additional policies
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Beneficial Ownership Information As of January 1, 2024, the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act requires many companies doing business in the United States to report information about the individuals who ultimately own or control them. The law was passed to curb illicit finance and protect U.S. national security. Filing is simple, secure, and free of charge.
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Can You Spot a Phishing Scam? Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online and mobile banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that
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Safeguarding Against a Cyberattack As fraudsters evolve their techniques to find new ways to prey on consumers and small businesses, community banks like Ireland Bank have continued to serve as our customer’s first line of defense by following industry standards and procedures to protect electronic systems, data applications, and networks from interference. Our staff also
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What is Identity Theft? Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal or financial information to commit fraud or other crimes. They may gain unauthorized access to your Social Security number, credit or debit cards, passport, checks, driver’s license, or other sensitive information. Watch for these signs of identity theft: If you think you are
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Exposing the Pig Butchering Scam Introduction In recent years, a troubling investment scam known as the “Pig Butchering” scheme has emerged, targeting victims with false promises and cryptocurrency transactions. Understanding the Scam The Pig Butchering scam operates by enticing victims to invest cryptocurrency with promises of high returns. Initially, small investments are encouraged, but as
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Elder Financial Exploitation What Is Elder Financial Exploitation? It is the fastest-growing form of elder abuse and it is defined as the illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of an older person’s funds, property, or assets. It’s a crime that deprives older adults of their resources and ultimately their independence. Perpetrators may be family members, friends,
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Cryptocurrency Confidence Scams How do criminals identify their targets? Scammers target anyone and everyone they can. They rely on researching details that are readily available on the internet, especially information on social media and dating apps. How does the scam start? Criminals typically create fake profiles and reach out to people via WhatsApp, Facebook, Tinder
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