With post-Helene clean-up efforts well underway, Bank of Travelers Rest encourages our customers to practice safe banking. We remind customers that following a disaster, there is a marked increase in fraud and scams. To help you avoid falling victim to a storm chaser, we offer these tips:
- Never provide sensitive, personal information to anyone asking for it over the phone or online. Passwords are for your use only. Bank of Travelers Rest does not need access to your accounts by using your password.
- A government organization, such as FEMA, will not contact you and need your personal information to help you recover from a weather-related disaster. Also note that FEMA, or someone claiming to act on their behalf, will not charge a fee for their assistance or ask you for payment in order to receive a grant.
- Work with your insurance company to report damage to your home or property. When you go to make necessary repairs, use the services of a licensed professional. Remember to pay for the work only after work has been completed.
- Be cautious how you pay for work being done to your home or property. Using a check, debit or credit card is best. A scammer may pressure you into methods of payment such as wire transfer, cryptocurrency, payment app, gift card, or even cash. If you pay by these methods, the scammer is gone with the money and there’s less of a chance that you can get it back. And a reputable contractor would not ask that you pay by signing the insurance check over to them.
If you suspect you may have provided information to a scammer or someone attempting fraud, contact us immediately. If someone tells you “not to call the bank,” that’s a red flag. The sooner we can act, the better we can provide assistance and protection. And remember, do not redial the number that called you. Call us using our main telephone number, 864-834-9031.
If you find yourself in need of assistance and do not know where to start with the clean-up process, visit FEMA's website for resources and additional information.
FEMA'S Post-Helene HELP PAGE
We appreciate the work being done by so many who are restoring our communities to normal. On behalf of your community bank, thank you!
|