Some of our communities have recently seen an increase in gift card scams. There are lots of scams out there, but here’s one that’s popular with fraudsters in Arkansas right now:
- Scammers mail a check or money order that’s allegedly from someone the recipient knows (i.e., friend, family member, former coworker).
- The check or money order is attached to a letter or note, asking the recipient to cash the check and use the money to buy a gift card (often Apple, Amazon or Walmart gift cards, or even VISA gift cards).
- The letter or note asks the recipient to text a photo of the back of the gift card to a specific phone number.
- The check or money order that was mailed to the recipient is returned as fraudulent.
If you receive an unexpected check or money order in the mail, even if it looks like it’s from someone you trust, be skeptical. Contact the person who allegedly sent the check or money order at a number you have in your address book, not at a number that they include in the correspondence. When in doubt, visit your local branch and let us help you determine if the check is valid.
Scammers are getting better all the time, and it's important to remain vigilant. We’re here to help you keep your money safe.