How to Protect Seniors Against Cybercrimes and Scams

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Many of the crimes that occur in real life happen on the internet too. Credit card fraud, identity theft, embezzlement, and more, all can be and are being done online. Seniors and the elderly are often targeted for these cybercrimes. They tend to be more trusting than younger people and usually have better credit, and more wealth. This makes them more attractive to scammers. Seniors are considered easy targets by criminals because they might not know how to report cybercrimes against them. In some cases, seniors can experience shame and guilt over the scam. They may also fear that their families will lose trust in their ability to continue to manage their own finances.
Cybercrimes Targeting Seniors
 Here are some common cyber scams used against senior citizens and how to avoid them:

Tech support scam: Criminals pose as technology support representatives and offer to fix non-existent computer issues. The scammers can gain remote access to victims’ devices and their stored sensitive information.

Government impersonation scam: Criminals pose as government employees and threaten to arrest or prosecute victims unless they agree to provide payments.

Financial scam: Criminals target potential victims using illegitimate credentials from legitimate services, such as reverse mortgages or credit repair.

Romance scam: Criminals pose as interested romantic partners on social media or dating websites, particularly targeting women and those who are recently widowed.

A new twist is to use the romance scam to recruit victims for other illegal activity. This could include using the victim’s bank account to launder illegally obtained money or apply for benefits in another person’s name. Institutions may become suspicious, especially if these transactions are out of character. They may close the victim’s account, or even refer the account for prosecution, putting the senior citizen at risk for legal action.
Tips to Protect Seniors Against Cybercrimes
 Here are some tips on how to protect yourself or someone you love from cybercrimes:

If you use social media, limit the amount of personal information you post and only add people that you know.

Resist the scammer’s urge for you to act quickly. Scammers are very skilled at manipulating emotions and will fabricate an emergency to persuade a victim to act without thinking.

Search for information about the proposed offer and any contact information given by the scammer. There are people and agencies online or in your community who can tell you if an individual or business is a scam. Never be afraid to ask other people for help.

Never send money or personally identifiable information to unverified people or businesses. Be suspicious about anyone who demands gift cards as payment.

Use reputable antivirus software and firewalls and make sure you regularly update them. If possible, configure your device to automatically download and install updates.

Disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see unusual pop-ups or get a locked screen. Pop-ups are often used by criminals to spread malicious software.

Be cautious what you download. Never open email attachments from someone you don’t know.
What to Do if You’re Targeted by a Scammer
 If you think you are being targeted by a scammer:

Never share financial account information, and do not allow anyone access to your accounts.

Monitor your accounts and credit for unusual activity, such as large sums of money that you did not deposit or loans that you did not apply for.

Contact your local law enforcement agency to file a report and notify your financial institutions.
Sources https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/
elder-fraudhttps://www.cisa.gov/publication/stopthinkconnect-older-american-resourceshttps://cybersecurityventures.com/3-cyber-fraud-tactics-targeting-seniors-and-why-theyre-so-effective/

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F&M Bank Opens New Location in Waynesboro, VA

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Pictured above: 2020 Calendar Photo entry submitted by Makeba Robinson

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: F&M Bank Opens New Location in Waynesboro, VA

TIMBERVILLE, VA—April 23, 2021— F&M Bank, a locally owned independent community bank headquartered in Rockingham County is excited to announce the opening of its newest location in Waynesboro, VA on Monday, April 26, 2021. The full-service branch located at 2701 West Main Street expands the $1 billion community bank’s presence to four banking offices in the Augusta County market and 12 offices serving the greater Shenandoah Valley.

“The F&M Bank team is delighted to grow into the vibrant City of Waynesboro – a thriving, local economy,” said Mark Hanna, President & CEO. “With this growth, we remain focused on serving the Shenandoah Valley and contiguous markets as an independent bank for the long-term. The decision to expand into Waynesboro supports our strategic initiative of organic expansion in core markets to better serve the banking needs of our communities.”

In January 2021, F&M Bank entered into an agreement with Carter Bankshares, Inc. to acquire the branch, and associated client relationships, which recently received regulatory approvals. The Company also welcomes two Carter Bank & Trust employees, Lisa Shiflet and Breanna Rodgers to the F&M Bank family.

Mr. Hanna is available for further comment. Please contact Holly Thorne at marketing@fmbankva.com, (540) 217-6409

Community Investment Radio

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Relocation Guide for Winchester and Frederick County: What You Need to Know for a Successful Move

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Are you considering a relocation to the city of Winchester or have you recently moved to Frederick County? Keep reading for everything you need to know about living in the Shenandoah Valley.

Founded in 1752, Winchester is a medium-sized city with plenty to offer history buffs as well as people looking for modern amenities and entertainment. Still affordable and within commuting distance to D.C., Winchester is a great place to raise a family and/or to telecommute to a job in the greater metro area. In addition to its proximity to the Northern Virginia/D.C. metro area, you can also drive to other East Coast Cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and even New York (4 hours away).

As part of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester and the rest of Frederick County have an abundance of natural beauty, parks and trails, and historical sites. Vineyards and farms dot the landscape here as well. Keep reading to learn more about Winchester and Frederick County!

What is the cost of living in Winchester and Frederick County?

According to the rankings from Sperling’s Best Places, Winchester’s cost of living is 101.8 out of 100, making it slightly more expensive than the U.S. average but more affordable than the statewide average for Virginia.

Perhaps the biggest factor in Winchester’s cost of living is its hot housing market, where demand outweighs supply and homes sell for a median price of $251,000. Still, that is very affordable compared to home prices in towns closer to D.C. Winchester is a great option for people who want to be within commuting distance of the metro area but can work remotely some or all of the time.

Another benefit of living in Winchester is that real estate taxes are relatively low, with the tax rate for 2023 at $0.83 per $100 of assessed value.

Looking to rent instead of buy? You’ll find that one-bedroom units rent for an average of $770/month in Winchester and two-bedrooms go for about $1,020.

Education in Frederick County

In addition to Frederick County Public Schools, our community also benefits from higher education institutions.

Frederick County Public Schools offers 12 elementary schools, including eight in Winchester; four middle schools, with three in Winchester; and three high schools, two of which are in Winchester. Preschool is also available for eligible students in certain elementary school attendance zones.

If you’re interested in private school in Winchester, here is a sampling of options:

As for higher education in Frederick County:

Neighborhoods in Winchester

As a medium-sized city, Winchester offers a mix of newer and more historic housing in both urban and suburban settings. Popular neighborhoods include:

  • Old Town: Historic downtown neighborhood with residential units as well as retail, dining, and cultural attractions.
  • College Park: Suburban neighborhood adjacent to Shenandoah University
  • Green Acres: Suburban community with midsize homes dating back to 1959.
  • Ash Hollow Estates: Another planned suburban community

Other Major Towns in Frederick County

Transportation and Infrastructure

The Winchester Regional Airport is 70 miles from Dulles International Airport

  • The Winchester Regional Airport is 70 miles from Dulles International Airport.
  • Major roadways include I-81, I-66, US 50, US 11, US 522, VA Primary 7, and VA Primary 37.
  • Public transit options include Win Tran and RouteShout.
  • Commuting to D.C.? You can drive to a Park & Ride Lot and take a commuter bus to a nearby metro station.

Setting Up Local Utilities

Creating new utility accounts may not be the most fun task associated with moving, but we’ve made it easier for you with this handy list of local providers:

  • The City of Winchester’s Public Utilities department provides water and wastewater services to residents. To apply for water and sewer service, fill out the online application or visit the Utilities Customer Service Center in Rouss City Hall. A $170 deposit is required of all first-time residential customers and will be credited back to your account after a certain number of on-time payments. If you are renting your home in Winchester, you’ll need to fill out the Tenant Form and get it signed by your landlord.
  • Winchester receives electricity from the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative. To open a new account, call SVEC at 1 (800) 234-7832. You’ll pay a $5 membership fee and a deposit may be required, depending on the results of their evaluation.
  • For natural gas, you’ll need to open an account with Shenandoah Gas, a subsidiary of Washington Gas.
  • When it comes to telecom providers, you can choose from a variety of options, including Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, HughesNet, Lumos Networks, Verizon, Visuallink, Wave2Net, and Winchester Wireless.

Healthcare Services

Winchester and Frederick County offer many reliable options for animal hospitals. Also, the Esther Boyd Animal Shelter is a great foundation for those looking to adopt.

Looking for new doctors for your family? Winchester Medical Center, part of the Valley Health System, offers urgent care, internal medicine and pediatric services, as well as a variety of specialty fields in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Medical offices are located on the hospital’s main campus, or within a quick drive. Winchester Medical Center is an award-winning facility and essential resource for residents of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Numerous dental practices can also be found throughout the city.

To care for the pets in your life, you’ll be pleased to find many veterinarian offices and emergency hospitals throughout Frederick County. If you’re looking to adopt a pet, check out the Esther Boyd Animal Shelter or the SPCA of Winchester, Frederick, and Clarke Counties.

Parks and Recreation

FCPRD manages a system of owned or maintained facilities and developed park land, including 3.6 miles of paved multipurpose trail, two miles of unpaved trails, nineteen picnic shelters, nine playgrounds, two fishing lakes, and two outdoor pools.

Winchester’s Parks and Rec department offers a variety of educational, athletic, and arts/crafts programs for children and adults as well as facilities, parks, trails, dog parks, and camps. Jim Barnett Park is the largest park in Winchester with over 170 acres of green space and amenities.

For even more parks and recreational opportunities, visit Frederick County’s Parks & Recreation page.

Local Attractions

Local Media

Frederick County Libraries

Find local branches and use digital resources from the Handley Regional Library System.

Community Banking with F&M

If you’ve recently moved to Winchester-Frederick County, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to bank. F&M has a long local history of commitment to serving and investing in Shenandoah Valley communities. At our branches, you’ll find a friendly group of employees ready to answer your questions about getting a mortgage, taking out a personal loan or business loan, or opening one of our high interest checking and savings accounts.

Virtual Scholarship for High School Seniors

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F&M Bank is excited to partner with the Virginia Bankers Association Education Foundation (VBA) to offer local seniors a unique, virtual scholarship opportunity called Bank Day. The third Tuesday in March was declared Bank Day by the Virginia General Assembly in 1991.

Through this program, high school seniors learn about banking, financial services, career opportunities and the vital role banks play in their communities.  From their experience, the students are required to write an essay. Fourteen scholarships will be awarded on the basis of the essays.

Due to the pandemic, Bank Day will be completely virtual and centralized with content provided from the VBA. Students will have access to a VBA-created Bank Day resource webpage over a three-week window from March 15-April 2, 2021. This resource page will house all relevant information that students will need to research in order to complete their essay for a chance to win college scholarships. As a virtual host, F&M Bank will also be providing supplemental information about ways we support our community.

We are excited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bank Day in 2021! In recognition of this milestone, a total of $29,000 will be awarded to twelve students across the Commonwealth.

  • Six honorable mention winners, each winning a $1,000 scholarship.
  • Six regional winners, each winning a $2,500 scholarship.
  • One of the regional winners will be named the statewide runner-up winner, earning an extra $3,000 scholarship for a total of $5,500 in college scholarships!
  • One of the regional winners will also be named the statewide winner, earning an extra $5,000 scholarship for a total of $7,500 in college scholarships!

Hear from Emily Carder, the 2020 Bank Day statewide winner, about the benefits of participating in this program in her video testimonial.

For more detailed information regarding the scholarship program or essay guidelines, please download the below resources.

Interested in participating?

In order to participate, students must be currently enrolled as seniors in a Virginia high school with cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or higher. Interested students must register online by March 5th through the VBA.

Register Online Today!

In March, students will be contacted directly by the VBA with more information about the program and a link to access the student resource webpage.

Here to Help with PPP Round Two

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Economic Impact Payment Guidance

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The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department will soon begin delivering a second round of Economic Impact Payments as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 to millions of Americans.

F&M Bank would like to offer some best practices for checking the status of your Economic Impact Payment in advance of the January 4th official payment date.

Economic Impact Payment Guidance from F&M Bank

F&M Bank receives direct deposit transactions from the Federal Reserve twice daily – 9:00am and 4:00pm. There is often a misconception that a direct deposit could arrive at any time throughout the day, however that is not the case. If you do not see payment after 9:00am within your online banking account, check back after 4:00pm on the same business day. The same guidance applies for an over the phone payment inquiry.

For customers receiving a direct deposit payment, consider utilizing deposit alerts within online and mobile banking. After established, you will receive an alert when your payment has posted.

Additionally, the IRS offers the “Get My Payment” tool on their website. Visit this link to check the status of your payment.

Economic Impact Payment Guidance from the IRS

The IRS emphasizes that there is no action required by eligible individuals to receive this second payment. Some Americans may see the direct deposit payments as pending or as provisional payments in their accounts before the official payment date of January 4, 2021. The IRS reminds taxpayers that the payments are automatic, and they should not contact their financial institutions or the IRS with payment timing questions.

As with the first round of payments under the CARES Act, most recipients will receive these payments by direct deposit. For Social Security and other beneficiaries who received the first round of payments via Direct Express, they will receive this second payment the same way.

Anyone who received the first round of payments earlier this year but doesn’t receive a payment via direct deposit will generally receive a check or, in some instances, a debit card. For those in this category, the payments will conclude in January. If additional legislation is enacted to provide for an additional amount, the Economic Impact Payments that have been issued will be topped up as quickly as possible.

To continue reading, please visit the IRS website. Additional guidance and eligibility requirements are provided.

Mail Larceny is on the Rise

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The most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into the most stressful time if you experience fraud. With the holidays approaching, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself from predators.

Mail Larceny

This December, the most consistent fraud concern reported by customers comes in the form of mail theft. We have received numerous reports of checks being stolen from mailboxes. Fraudsters target the holiday season as cash is commonly gifted between friends and family members, donations to nonprofit organizations are more common at year-end, and many municipalities collect tax bills during the latter part of the year. This increased activity creates opportunity for criminals.

Protect Yourself

Instead of mailing cash or checks, consider taking advantage of digital payment solutions offered through your financial institution. Here at F&M Bank, we offer various payment methods through our bill pay system within online and mobile banking. This tool gives our customers the option to set up payees (like a municipality, utility company, etc.) for one-time, or recurring payment. A similar option is available for our commercial clients as well.

You can pay a person too. Gift pay is the perfect option during the holiday season for gift checks or charitable contributions! Or, pay a friend or family member with our P2P cash transfer app. Simply type in the email address or phone number of the recipient and send up to $500.00 for a transaction, for free!

Package Theft

With more people staying indoors due to COVID, online shopping has become the convenient and safe way to buy groceries, household items, clothing, and everyday necessities. And while it’s nice having packages delivered in days or even hours, there are multiple ways a delivery might not make it into your hands.

Protect Yourself

Just this week, the Harrisonburg Police Department issued some great tips to help protect yourself and your packages, and we echo their advice. Most of the major delivery companies such as FedEx, UPS, and USPS offer consumers ways to track packages with email or text notifications, ensuring packages aren’t left or forgotten.

In addition, it is a good idea to create a space near your front door, behind planters or other items, so deliveries can be placed out of site from the street. Installing security cameras can both help prevent porch theft and provide important footage in case a porch pirate strikes.

Watch for Fraud this Holiday Season

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Fraudsters are always at work, but financial institutions experience increased fraudulent activity during the holidays. This year is no exception. The pandemic created new opportunities for fraudsters, and paired with holiday scams, our customers are reporting increased fraud this season.

It’s extremely important to carefully guard your financial information, especially during a time when online shopping and cash transfers are prevalent. The FTC provides great advice on spotting and avoiding scams. Please, read through the below and put guidance to practice as you’re shopping online or sending cash this holiday season.

Four Signs That It’s a Scam

Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know or impersonate someone you know.

Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government. They might use a real name, like the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations. They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID. So, the name and number you see might not be real.

Scammers will also pose as a family member or friend and can even use a correct name to identify the person they are claiming to be! Be extra cautious in situations like this as fraudsters will prey on your emotions. They’ll claim bail money is needed, or they’re in a bad situation that requires immediate financial support. If you find yourself in a situation like this, hang up immediately and call your family member or friend directly.

Scammers say there’s a problem or a prize.

They might say you’re in trouble with the government. Or you owe money. Or someone in your family had an emergency. Or that there’s a virus on your computer.

Some scammers say there’s a problem with one of your accounts and that you need to verify some information. Others will lie and say you won money in a lottery or sweepstakes but have to pay a fee to get it.

Scammers pressure you to act immediately.

Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. If you’re on the phone, they might tell you not to hang up so you can’t check out their story. They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s or business license, or deport you. They might say your computer is about to be corrupted.

Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way.

They often insist that you pay by sending money through a money transfer company or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back. Some will send you a check (that will later turn out to be fake), tell you to deposit it, and then send them money.

A commonality in many scam situations is the isolation factor. The scammer wants money fast, but they don’t want you to tell anyone about the transaction. Not a family member, or the bank. This is a major red flag! If someone attempts to isolate you from telling others about the transaction, or how the money is being used, it is a scam.

We are also seeing a rise in spoofing.  Learn more about spoofing scam attempts.

What You Can Do to Avoid a Scam

Block unwanted calls and text messages. Take steps to block unwanted calls and to filter unwanted text messages.

Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect. Legitimate organizations won’t call, email, or text to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers. If you get an email or text message from a company you do business with and you think it’s real, it’s still best not to click on any links. Instead, contact them using a website you know is trustworthy. Or look up their phone number. Don’t call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID.

Resist the pressure to act immediately. Legitimate businesses will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.

Know how scammers tell you to pay. Never pay someone who insists you pay with a gift card or by using a money transfer service. And never deposit a check and send money back to someone.

Stop and talk to someone you trust. Before you do anything else, tell someone — a friend, a family member, a neighbor — what happened. Talking about it could help you realize it’s a scam.

We Can Help

F&M Bank is here for you! Whether you’d like some guidance determining if a call or email is a scam, or if you’ve fallen victim to fraud, please reach out to your local branch. A member of our team will be ready to assist you!

Additionally, we encourage our customers to take advantage of our digital services.  Instead of sending cash or checks to someone you know through the mail, pay a person within our digital banking bill pay feature or P2P. They are great alternatives! Customers can also enroll in e-statements to protect your account information from mail theft. Lastly, consider Identity Theft Protection. This service is a free add-on with our Cash Reward or Cash Back checking accounts!