ATTENTION: FRAUD ALERT

In an effort to protect you from becoming a victim of fraud or exploitation, The Exchange State Bank asks you to read this carefully. Feel free to ask our staff any questions you may have. All bank staff wants you to be aware of any scams and cautions you to consider some of the following before withdrawing large amounts of cash or providing other information to others.

Are you being pressured to … :

• Give someone money or gift cards (stranger, friend, lover, or family member)?

• Transfer title to your home, property or other asset?

• Make someone a power of attorney or joint account holder on one or more of your accounts?

• Purchase something you have not seen in person?

Have you been contacted by … :

• Someone who has threatened you?

• Someone who is from another country and has asked you to make a withdrawal for any reason?

• Claims to be involved with a law enforcement or regulatory agency and is asking you to help with a criminal investigation? This ploy is known as the “bank examiner scam.” Real investigators never ask people for money. May ask you to stay on the phone.

• Someone who befriended you and is now asking you to invest your money, or to share cash or valuables?

• Claims to be a town inspector or other municipal official and insists that you owe cash for some service? Never pay cash; always insist on a check. Confirm the identity of the individual by insisting on seeing identification. Call the agency he or she claims to represent.

• Claims to have found money and is now asking you to put up a “good faith” payment in order to split the cash? This is a classic scam known as the “pigeon drop.”

• Someone who claims that a deceased family member made a large purchase before their death and now you are obligated to pay for it? Try contacting family member in question or other family members to validate.

• Someone who has asked you to send money in order to claim a prize or a larger sum of money?

• Someone who claims to be a family member in an embarrassing situation or emergency? Try contacting family member in question or other family members to validate.

• Someone who asked you to help them by giving this money to another person (third party)?

You could be a victim of a scam!

If any of the above situations sound familiar, you could be the victim of a scam. You may never see your money again. There are several methods commonly used to take people’s money. In many cases those who want to take advantage of you appear to be friendly. If you are involved in a situation like any of the following, please let The Exchange State Bank staff know immediately. If necessary, we will assist you in getting help.