Scams
Foreclosure & Mortgage Rescue Scams
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My neighbor received a call from a mortgage relief agency who said they could help prevent a foreclosure for a fee. I suggested they check into the company first and consider government programs. Was this good advice?
Yes. Homeowners struggling to make payments on their mortgages and other debts should beware of con artists and scams that promise to save their homes and eliminate their debts. Scammers may call themselves foreclosure or […]
Foreclosure Scam FeeRead more →
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How can I protect myself from mortgage modification scams and foreclosure rescue scams?
You should proceed with caution when dealing with anyone offering to help you modify your mortgage or to rescue you from foreclosure. You can seek assistance from a counselor approved by the Housing and Urban Development […]
Foreclosure Scam ProtectRead more →
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What are some warning signs of mortgage modification scams and foreclosure rescue scams?
Any of the following could be a sign of a scam (but there may be others): "Pay us $1,000 and we'll save your home." Some legitimate housing counselors may charge small fees, but fees that amount to thousands of dollars […]
Foreclosure Scam WarningsRead more →
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What are some of the common foreclosure and mortgage rescue scams?
Examples of scams related to mortgage modification and foreclosure prevention include: Foreclosure rescue and refinance fraud. Scam artists offer to act as intermediaries between homeowners and lenders and to negotiate […]
Foreclosure Scam ExampleRead more →
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What disclosures are required to be provided by a mortgage relief services company to a prospective client based on the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) rule?
Any provider offering mortgage relief or foreclosure rescue assistance on your behalf from a bank must disclose the following: The amount of any fees associated with the relief service. That the relief service provider […]
Foreclosure Scam Mortgage Assistance Relief Services DisclosureRead more →
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Does the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) rule prohibit a mortgage relief services company from any specific practices?
Yes. The MARS rule prohibits several practices on the part of mortgage assistance relief service providers seeking to obtain relief on your behalf from your bank. The MARS rule prohibits mortgage assistance relief […]
Foreclosure Scam Mortgage Assistance Relief Services ProhibitRead more →
Internet Scams
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What is phishing?
Phishing is a term used for criminals' attempts to steal personal financial information through fraudulent emails and websites designed to appear as though they were generated from legitimate businesses, banks, and […]
PhishingRead more →
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How do I identify phishing scams and avoid becoming a victim?
Phishing scams may come in the form of phone calls, text messages, or emails. The scams can sound and look quite convincing, but there are some warning signs to look out for and things to consider: If you did not […]
Avoid Phishing Read more →
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How do I report a phishing or suspicious email?
If you believe you are the victim of a phishing attempt, you should take the following steps: Contact your bank immediately and alert it to the situation. Let them know if the phishing attempt resembled official bank […]
Phishing ReportRead more →
Wire Transfer Scams
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I fell victim to a multi-layer scam. What do I do next?
Immediately contact your bank and the bank that may have received your funds. Request a recall on the wire transfer that left your account. Note that a wire recall is not guaranteed to be successful in all cases. You can […]
Wire TransferRead more →
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Can I be held liable if I sent a wire transfer to someone who turned out to be a scammer?
Your bank would need to review your fraud claim. Wire transfers are intended to be a final and irrevocable method of payment and the bank may not be able to reverse the wire transfer. You can file a complaint with the OCC […]
Wire TransferRead more →
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How can I verify the routing number of the payee before I send a wire transfer?
Confirm the bank routing number provided on the ABA Routing Number Lookup website. Note that many scams involve use of valid routing numbers; therefore results provided by this website should not be taken as confirmation […]
Wire TransferRead more →
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My business is the victim of a wire transfer scam. Will the OCC be able to force the bank to refund me?
You should report suspected criminal activity to the bank and law enforcement immediately. You may wish to review your deposit account agreement, wire payment agreement, or other contractual terms that may address your […]
Wire TransferRead more →
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What are some signs of a possible wire transfer scam?
Common signs of wire fraud are: urgent requests grammar and spelling errors differences in email addresses complicated payment instructions a buyer overpays and wants you to wire the difference requests for your […]
Wire TransferRead more →
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What should I do if a wire transfer is fraudulent?
Contact your bank and the bank that may have received your funds. Request a recall on the wire transfer that left your account. Request that the bank take steps, such as closing the account or stopping any pending […]
Wire TransferRead more →
OCC Imposter Scams
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I received a letter from the OCC that advises me to settle a Currency Conversion fee. Is this legitimate?
No, the letter is not from the OCC. The OCC does not require the payment of any fee from individual consumers. Further, the OCC does not participate in the transfer of funds for, or on behalf of, individuals, business […]
Currency Conversion feeRead more →
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I received a letter that appears to be from a bank that states I am to receive a large sum of money, payable in cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) from the OCC. The letter indicates I need to verify my identity (name, address, and telephone number). Should I respond to the letter?
No, you should not respond in any manner to any proposal that purports to be from the OCC that requires the payment of any fee. The OCC does not participate in the transfer of funds for, or on behalf of, individuals, […]
payable in cryptocurrency (Bitcoin)Read more →
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How do I report a phishing or suspicious e-mail that claims to be from the OCC?
If you suspect an e-mail is a phishing scam and not an official e-mail from the OCC, please forward the email to occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov.
How do I report a phishing or suspicious e-mail that claims to be from the OCC?Read more →
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How do I report a phishing or suspicious e-mail I received from a government agency other than the OCC?
We suggest that you: contact your local law enforcement or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Office . report any phishing attacks to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or by phone at 1-877-382-4357. report internet […]
How do I report a phishing or suspicious e-mail I received from a government agency other than the OCC?Read more →