Protect Yourself From Scammers

Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and even the most careful among us can be caught off guard. At Fieldpoint Private, safeguarding our clients extends beyond the accounts we manage — it means helping you recognize the warning signs of fraud before it costs you time, money, or peace of mind. Below are three scams we’re seeing more often, along with practical steps you can take to stay protected.

Shopping Online? Slow Down Before You Check Out

A convincing website or a well-placed social media ad can be all it takes to lure a shopper into a scam. Fraudsters build storefronts that mimic real retailers or borrow the identity of a legitimate seller, advertise attractive prices on in-demand items, and then simply never ship the product. In some cases, the checkout page itself is designed to harvest payment details, exposing shoppers to identity theft on top of financial loss. Rather than clicking through from a social media ad, go to the retailer’s website directly by typing the address yourself. Before entering payment information on an unfamiliar site, look closely at the web address (look-alike domains are common and may add an extra word, misspell the retailer’s name, or use an unusual ending such as .shop or .store), search for independent reviews of the seller, and pay with a credit card rather than a debit card or wire transfer whenever possible — credit cards typically offer stronger fraud protections and easier dispute options.

House Hunting? Be Wary of Deals that Seem Too Easy

Rental scams often start with a listing that looks entirely legitimate, sometimes posted on well-known rental sites or shared through a convincing standalone webpage. The scammer may pose as a landlord or property manager and ask for a deposit or first month’s rent before you’ve toured the unit or met anyone in person — only for the property to turn out to be unavailable, already occupied, or nonexistent altogether. Common red flags include rent well below market rates and a “landlord” who is out of the country or can’t show you the property in person. Protect yourself by insisting on an in-person or verified video tour, confirming ownership through the county property appraiser’s or recorder’s office, and never send money by wire, Zelle or other payment apps, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you haven’t met or been able to verify independently.

Getting a Call About a “Compromised” Card? Hang Up and Call Us Directly

One of the more brazen schemes involves a caller claiming to represent your bank, warning that your card has been compromised and that a representative needs to come to your home to collect and destroy it for your protection. The caller will usually ask for your PIN as well, or ask you to “verify” it, so the card can be used right away. The call can sound entirely credible, but no legitimate bank representative will ever ask to pick up your physical card at your home. Once a scammer has the card in hand, they can use it to drain the account before you realize anything is wrong. If you receive a call like this, hang up and contact us directly using the phone number on the back of your card or in your Fieldpoint statements — never a number the caller provides. Don’t be reassured if your caller ID shows Fieldpoint’s real number; scammers can easily spoof caller ID, so a familiar number proves nothing. After hanging up, wait a minute or use a different phone to call us, since some landlines can stay connected to the caller’s line.

A Few Habits That Protect You Across the Board

Scammers rely on urgency, unfamiliar payment methods, and requests that bypass normal verification. A few simple habits go a long way:

• Independently verify anyone who contacts you asking for money or personal information.
• Take your time, even when a deal or a threat feels urgent — urgency is a scammer’s best tool.
• Use payment methods that offer recourse if something goes wrong.

If something feels off, trust that instinct and reach out to your dedicated Fieldpoint Banker. We’re always glad to help you sort out whether a request is legitimate — before, not after, money changes hands.

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