Fraud Prevention

EZPass Text & Email Scams

Scammers are impersonating EZPass and tolling agencies to trick people into clicking malicious links or disclosing card information. These messages often claim you owe unpaid tolls or fees and urge immediate action to avoid penalties.

Common red flags:

• Texts or emails claiming you owe money for missed tolls
• Messages with links to “view your violation” or “make a payment”
• Threats of late fees, license suspension, or legal action
• Sender addresses that look suspicious or unofficial

How to stay safe:

• Don’t click links in unexpected messages—go directly to the official EZPass website.
• Never enter payment or personal information through a link you didn’t verify.
• Check your EZPass account directly if you’re concerned about a balance or violation.
• Report scam messages to your state’s toll agency

Reminder: BNH will never contact you about EZPass payments. If you’ve entered banking info on a suspicious site, contact us immediately.

Amazon Impersonation Scams

Scammers are posing as Amazon representatives through phone calls, texts, and emails to steal your personal or financial information. These scams often claim there’s a problem with your account, a suspicious order, or an urgent billing issue requiring immediate attention.

What these scams may look like:

• A fake order confirmation or shipping notice you don’t recognize
• A phone call claiming your Amazon account has been compromised
• A message asking you to verify payment info or log in using a provided link
• Requests for remote access to your device to “fix” an issue

What to do:

• Do NOT click on links or download attachments from suspicious messages.
• Do NOT provide personal info or account access to unsolicited callers.
• Check your Amazon account directly
• If you believe you entered your banking information on a fraudulent site, contact us immediately so we can help secure your account.

Payment App Scams

Scammers are targeting users of popular payment apps like Zelle®, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal to steal money directly from their accounts. These scams often move quickly—and once money is sent, it’s hard to recover.

How payment app scams typically work:

• A scammer poses as your bank or a trusted contact, claiming there’s suspicious activity on your account
• You’re urged to send money “back to yourself” to reverse a fake charge
• You receive fake payment confirmation emails or texts
• A scammer overpays “by mistake” and asks you to refund the difference

Protect yourself:

• BNH will never ask you to send money to yourself or anyone else to “reverse” a transaction.
• Only send money to people you know and trust. Scammers often pose as buyers, sellers, or even bank reps.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication for added security on your payment apps.
• Double-check contact details before responding to any payment-related request.

If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam or shared sensitive info, contact BNH immediately so we can help secure your account.

PCH Fake Letter & Check Scams

Scammers are sending official-looking letters and counterfeit checks, pretending to be from Publishers Clearing House (PCH), to trick victims into believing they’ve won a major prize. These checks may appear legitimate, but they’re fake—and depositing them can put you at serious financial risk.

What these scams may look like:

• A letter claiming you’ve won a large PCH prize or sweepstakes
• A counterfeit check included as your “initial winnings”
• Instructions to send back money for “fees,” “taxes,” or “processing”
• Pressure to act quickly before the “prize” expires
• A request to use wire transfers, gift cards, or prepaid cards to send funds

What to do:

• Do NOT deposit or cash any unexpected checks you receive.
• Do NOT send money to anyone claiming it’s required to claim a prize.
• Verify directly with PCH through their official website—PCH never asks winners to pay fees.
• If you already attempted to deposit a suspicious check or sent money, contact BNH immediately.

If you believe your financial information may have been compromised, reach out to Bank of New Hampshire right away for assistance.

Spoofed Bank Website Scam

Recently, a fraudulent website posing as Bank of New Hampshire was discovered and taken down. The site was designed to trick customers into entering their online banking login credentials, which could then be used by scammers to access accounts or commit fraud.

Common red flags:

• Websites claiming to be Bank of New Hampshire but using unfamiliar or misspelled web addresses
• Links sent through emails, texts, or search results directing you to a login page
• Websites that ask for your online banking credentials outside the official BNH site
• Pages that look similar to the bank’s website but have unusual formatting or security warnings

How to stay safe:

• Always type BNH.bank directly into your browser when accessing online banking
• Look for the “.bank” domain, a verified and secure extension used only by trusted financial institutions
• Avoid clicking banking links from emails, texts, or search engine results
• If something seems suspicious, exit the site immediately and go directly to the official bank website

Reminder: If you believe you may have entered your information on a suspicious website, please contact Bank of New Hampshire immediately so we can help protect your account.