Florida Capital Bank

Fraud & Scams

Please be aware that FLCBank will never call you to request your personal information, such as your Social Security number, your date of birth, your Online Banking username and password, your credit/debit card number(s), or the three-digit security code on the back of your credit/debit card.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report your scam online with the FTC complaint assistant, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET).

Visit the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information site regularly to learn about recent scams and how to recognize the warning signs. Read the FTC’s most recent alerts or browse scams by topic.

The FTC also collects reports of identity theft. Report identity theft online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET).

Report fake websites, emails, malware, and other internet scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Some online scams start outside the United States. If you have been a victim of an international scam, report it through econsumer.gov. Your report helps international consumer protection offices spot trends and prevent scams.

Check Fraud

Check fraud is still a very common scheme affecting business. Fraudsters use counterfeit checks, stolen check stock, altered checks, forged signatures, fraudulent endorsements, and other tactics to target business accounts. In some cases, fraudsters intercept mailed checks and alter the payee. FLCBank recommends not mailing large checks through regular postal services like USPS. If payment through ACH or other secure debit transactions isn’t an option, then mailing a paper check should be done using a secure, certified insured carrier such as FedEx or UPS to confirm delivery to the intended recipient. If a check hasn’t been cashed timely it’s best to call the intended recipient to confirm receipt and issue a stop payment if not received. Check fraud can harm your business by causing cash flow problems, burdensome investigations, and even unreimbursed financial losses, and in some instances, the bank may not be liable for these occurrences.

Prevent Check Fraud With Our Check Positive Pay Service. Learn More

Fraud Text Message Scam

We have received reports from customers that have received a text message about their account requesting personal information to verify the account or transaction. This link is FAKE. Delete the text and please note FLCBank will also not call or text you to request personal information. If the call or text sounds suspicious, please do not respond.

Fraud Using FLCBank’s Name & Reputation

FLCBank Executives and Officers Impersonation

We have recently learned of a scam where a fraudster impersonates a FLCBank executive (for example, John Abbott, CFO) in an email, social media (e.g., Facebook) message or text message, informing the intended victim that they need assistance with moving a sum of money from a foreign bank account. Prior to the transaction taking place, the impersonator will request an “advance fee” of some type, which is where the loss to the victim takes place. If you receive an email, text message or social media message of this type, we strongly advise you to delete the message. You may verify the authenticity of any message from FLCBank by contacting us at cybersecurity@flcb.com.

Imposter Websites

The evolution of the internet has brought with it a number of extremely convenient advances in the way we shop, bank, and interact with the world around us. At the same time, that evolution has also given way to new risks—new avenues for criminals to create websites that are either fake, fraudulent or a scam to rip off the unsuspecting.

Imposter websites are designed to appear legitimate and even mimic/clone the brand look of a business. The cloned page will use the same images, content and page navigation of business but the logo, login screen, contact information and URL has changed. The website actually serves as a vehicle to compromise users’ personally identifiable information or login credentials for the purpose of effecting financial fraud.

Protect Your Personal Information Online

Be stingy with your personal information when you’re on the web. When a site asks for your personal information, know that the data you enter could end up in the wrong hands. A web site might look like the real deal, but many are fronts for criminals waiting to steal your money and personal information.

Research a company before choosing to give it your business. Enter the company name and the word ‘complaints’ into an online search engine to see what comes up. And take the time to ask a company for the details on state or government licenses. If a company can’t provide the information or if you can’t find the details searching government agency sites, it could be a red flag.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scams

To this day, scammers are viewing the coronavirus (COVID-19) as an opportunity to capitalize on people’s fears and vulnerabilities. There’s no reason to panic, but you should be vigilant and take the appropriate if not additional, precautions to ensure you and your finances remain secure.

Remember: Never provide information such as your Social Security number, bank account number, PayPal account information, or anything else that could put your personal information at risk.

We understand people may want to support local businesses and individuals, however, verifying the legitimacy of organizations and individuals to protect your personal information and accounts is important. Scammers are targeting victims by impersonating charities, medical professionals, and health authorities.

Here is a list of possible COVID-19 scams:

Treatment scams: Scammers are offering fake cures, vaccines, and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.
Supply scams: Scammers are creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
Provider scams: Scammers are contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospital staff who have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19. They are then demanding payment for that treatment.
Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19.
Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.
App scams: Scammers are creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.
Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect or cure COVID-19 and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information.

As similar scams are likely to arise in the coming weeks and months, remember to be mindful and protect yourself and your finances. Please share these tips with everyone in your family regardless of their age, especially elderly family members, as they seem to be targeted more often.

Other resources to learn more about Online Security, Identity Theft, and Scams & Frauds

Visit the U.S. Government Services and Information website to learn more.

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