Security

The content in this article derives from Jeff Kersten’s “How to Protect Against Scams & Frauds Targeting Small Businesses” webinar hosted by Park Bank in May of 2024. Kersten is an Outreach Specialist – Division of Trade and Consumer Protection for the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Everyone is susceptible to scams; it’s just a matter of encountering the right (or wrong) communication at the worst possible moment.

In...

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We need to talk … it’s about keeping you protected from scam artists.

With fraud ever prevalent, knowing how to avoid scams in today’s digital age can be difficult.

At Park Bank, we understand that life can be busy,...

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In this article, we explore the importance of credit freezes, how to implement them, and their potential benefits in safeguarding your financial identity.

Think of it this way. A credit freeze is like locking your front door.

When the door is locked, it’s much harder for anyone to enter without your permission. Similarly, a credit freeze (also...

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The number of people falling victim to bank scams has continued to rise over the past few years and shows no signs of really slowing down. In 2021 alone, the FTC estimated that consumers lost 5.8 billion dollars to fraud, which was an increase of over 70% from 2020 numbers. The numbers are even more staggering for businesses, estimating that, globally, companies lose about 5% of their total revenue every year due to fraud. Here at Park Bank we want to make sure that you are well educated on what...

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Watch the video to learn the latest tips from our Vice President - Information & Cyber Security Jeff Kurek

As scams become more prevalent, they are also more sophisticated, making them harder to detect. Scammers employ what is known as “social engineering” to manipulate people into revealing sensitive information.

It’s all about the psychology of persuasion. These scammers take advantage of human nature, aiming to lower your defenses so you’ll act on impulse rather...

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You’ve probably heard of phishing. But do you really know what it is - and more importantly, how to protect yourself from falling victim to it? Phishing scams have become very sophisticated, but there are some simple things you can do to protect yourself and keep your personal information safe.

Let’s start with a basic description: Phishing is a type of scam where an attacker sends a fraudulent message to trick you into revealing sensitive...

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Visualize yourself in these two scenarios.

You’re working from home and an email from “your boss Sheryl” hits your inbox with a subject line: “Address”.

It looks authentic – you open the email.

It states: “Hi, please reply with your home address. I will be sending you a gift card for all your hard work.”

Wonderful! Some...

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The Oregon Trail. Carmen Sandiego. Minesweeper.

More than 20 years ago, a kid really couldn’t get into much trouble on a computer. For youngsters, the computer essentially served as an electronic hub for gaming and learning.

Today, a large percentage of American children between the ages of three and 18 have access to home internet. The built-in vulnerability of youth combined with the ease of access makes kids an easy target for cyber criminals.

Here are the...

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Did you know some fraudsters work full-time to steal money? We want to keep you safe from the scams, such as some of the latest ones involving Zelle®.

Remember, when it comes to sharing personal information with Park Bank, only provide info if you’ve called us directly. Don’t share sensitive information after you pick up a call, receive a text message or open emails appearing to come from Park Bank. 

Here...

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