Protect Yourself from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Scams

Protect Yourself from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Scams

Stay Alert: Scammers Are Targeting PPP Loan Recipients
Fraudsters are using publicly available Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan data to impersonate banks and trick individuals into sharing sensitive information. At First Community Bank, we care about our customers and wanted to provide you with the information below to help you spot and avoid these scams.

Common Tactics Used by Scammers:

• Spoofing Caller IDs: Incoming calls may appear to come from us or someone you know.
• Requesting Your Credentials: Scammers will often ask for online banking usernames, passwords, or one-time security codes.
• Sending Fake Links: Scammers will send emails or texts including links claiming you need to “update” your account or “freeze” a transaction.
• Using Threating Language or requesting immediate action: Scammers often will try to intimidate you over the phone to get you to act quickly.
• Requesting unusual payment methods: Scammers tend to ask for payment using methods like cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards.
• Sending you fake documents via the mail: Scammers will send fake documents to your home or business to try and get you to contact them.

How to Better Protect Yourself and Recognize a Scam:

• Verify Before You Share: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call us directly using 1.800.829.6372.
• Don’t Trust Caller ID: It can be faked.  
• Avoid Clicking Unsolicited Links: Never click links in unexpected emails or texts. Always verify that they are coming from First Community Bank before responding.
• Keep Your Sensitive Information Private: We will never ask for your password or one-time passcodes to your accounts or for any forms of your other sensitive information.

If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, please contact us at 1.800.829.6372.