Security

Check Scams

In a check scam, a stranger will ask you to deposit a check from them, sometimes for several thousand dollars. They will tell you to send some of the money back or to another person. They always have a good story to explain why you can’t keep all the money. They may request you to cover taxes or fees for a prize, purchase supplies for a job, or refund overpaid money.

Tips For Avoiding Check Scams

A scammer might

  • Pretend to hire you as a mystery shopper. They tell you to evaluate a retailer selling gift cards, money orders, or wire transfer services (e.g., Western Union, MoneyGram). You receive a check and are instructed to deposit it in your personal account, then wire a portion to another person. But once you do, the money is gone and the so-called “employer” will disappear, too.
  • You apply online and think you’re getting hired as a personal assistant. You receive a check and are instructed to purchase gift cards, sending the PIN numbers to your “boss.” But the boss is a scammer, and once they get the gift card PINs, they will use them instantly. Leaving you without the money when the bank figures out the check was fake.
  • Buy something from you online, “accidentally” and send you a check for too much. They will then ask you to refund the balance.

What to look for

  • Mystery Shopping: An “employer” will send you a check and tell you to use that money to purchase gift cards.
  • Car Wrap decals: The company tells you to deposit a check and then send money to decal installers. But it’s a scam, the installers aren’t real, and now your money is gone.
  • Claiming Prizes:  A sweepstakes says you’ve won and gives you a check. They tell you to send them money to cover taxes, shipping and handling charges, or processing fees. But that’s not how legitimate sweepstakes work — and you’ll be out any money you send.
  • Overpayments: People buying something from you “accidentally” send a check for too much, and ask you to refund the balance. But the check is a fake.

What you can do

  • Don’t rely on money from a check unless you know and trust the person you’re dealing with.
  • If you wired money to a scammer, contact the wire transfer company promptly to report the fraud and file a complaint. Reach out to the complaint department of MoneyGram or Western Union. Ask for the money transfer to be reversed. It’s unlikely to happen, but it’s important to ask.
  • If scammed with a money order, contact the issuer promptly to inquire about stopping payment. Also, try to stop delivery of the money order: if you sent it by U.S. mail, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455. Otherwise, contact whatever delivery service you used as soon as possible. 
  • If you paid with cryptocurrency, contact the company used to send the money and report the transaction as fraudulent. Ask to have the transaction reversed, if possible.

How to Report

Other Scams to be on the look out for

Stay informed and stay safe! Scammers keep evolving their tactics, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest scams in order to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Text Message Scams

Text Message Scams

Scammers that use fake text messages to deceive you into sharing personal information such as passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers.

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BEC Scams

BEC Scams

Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud includes various scams resulting from fake emails, including fraudulent payments.

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Check Scams
attach_money

Check Scams

Check scams often start with a stranger asking you to deposit a check for them, sometimes for several thousand dollars. They may even ask you to send some of the money back or to another person.

Learn More
Mail Theft

Mail Theft

Mail theft generally refers to the fraudulent negotiation of checks stolen from the U.S. Mail. Once stolen, these criminals may attempt to alter or “wash” the checks.

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Payment App Scams

Payment App Scams

A scam that attempts to trick you into sending someone money through a mobile payment app. Once this is done, it’s very difficult to get your money back.

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Phone Call Scams

Phone Call Scams

Scammers that try to steal your money or personal information by pretending to be someone they’re not. May come through phone calls from real people or robocalls.

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Zelle Scams

Zelle® Scams

Scammers may attempt to trick you into sending them money through Zelle®. Like other payment app scams, your money will be very difficult to get back.

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Money Mule Scams

Money Mule Scams

Criminals try to hide the illegal origins of their funds by involving unsuspecting individuals as “money mules” to do transactions to obscure the source.

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Debit Card Fraud

Debit Card Fraud

Scammers obtain and use your debit card info to make purchases or convince you to use your debit card to make purchases for them.

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Fraud Prevention Solutions

Your security is our top priority. That’s why Dime offers fraud prevention solutions that can help you identify, report, and prevent fraud.

Check
Positive Pay

Check-based fraud prevention by matches checks presented for payment against a list of checks issued by your business.

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ACH
Positive Pay

Prevent fraud related to ACH transactions by using our system, which enables your business to monitor and manage such transactions. You can use filters and blocks to ensure that all ACH transactions posted in your account are legitimate.

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Debit Card
Security

Protection from identity theft and unauthorized spend.

• ID theft protection*

• Zero liability protection**

• Fraud monitoring text alerts

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Savvy
Money

The first step toward improving your credit is understanding your credit. That’s why Dime online banking includes Savvy Money. A service that helps users access their rating, learn the factors most impacting it, and how to improve it.

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* Terms, conditions, limitations and in some cases enrollments are applicable – please see the Mastercard Guide to Benefits for Debit Cardholders.

** You’re not responsible for unauthorized transactions that you promptly report to us if you have taken ordinary care of your card and PIN.