Isn't That Rich Podcast

Fraud isn’t just something that happens to “other people.” It’s real, it’s happening every day, and it’s evolving faster than ever. That’s why Farmers State Bank hosted the Fraud Defense Seminar, bringing together experts from law enforcement, banking, and cybersecurity to give attendees the tools they need to fight back.The Reality of Fraud: Insights from Marsha Griffin

The Reality of Fraud: Insights from Marsha Griffin

Marsha Griffin, Senior Community Outreach Liaison for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, opened our eyes to just how sophisticated scammers have become. She shared real-life stories of fraud victims, including her own experience with an IRS imposter scam that could have been convincing to anyone. Marsha emphasized the most common scams the Attorney General’s office sees, including:

• Government Imposter Scams – Fraudsters pretending to be the IRS, Social Security Administration, or even local police to pressure victims into making payments or revealing personal information.

• Grandparent Scams – Scammers impersonating loved ones in distress to trick grandparents into wiring money immediately.

• Fake Charity Scams – Criminals posing as well-known charities or first responders to take advantage of people's generosity.

• Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams – If you “win” a prize but have to pay upfront fees or taxes, it’s a scam.

She also walked us through the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline, a free resource for reporting fraud and getting help. Marsha’s biggest piece of advice? If it sounds too good (or too scary) to be true, it probably is. Always verify.

Local Fraud Trends & Scams: Detective Caitlin Wilson’s Perspective

Detective Caitlin Wilson from the Harrisburg Police Department pulled no punches when discussing the fraud happening right here in our community. Fraudsters don’t just target big cities—small-town residents are just as vulnerable. Caitlin shared firsthand accounts of fraud cases she’s investigated, including:

• Scare Tactics Scams – Victims receive urgent calls claiming they owe money or have a warrant out for their arrest, coercing them into paying fines through gift cards or wire transfers.

• Romance & Companionship Scams – Lonely individuals are preyed upon by scammers who build relationships online, only to start asking for money under emotional pretenses.

• Bitcoin & ATM Fraud – Criminals instruct victims to deposit large sums into Bitcoin ATMs, convincing them their bank accounts are compromised. Caitlin was able to intervene in one case, preventing a local man from losing $50,000.

• Mail & Check Fraud – Criminals steal mail (sometimes using stolen postal master keys) and alter checks to drain bank accounts.

Her advice? Never act out of fear, and if something feels off, call the police or your bank before taking any action.

How Farmers State Bank Protects You: Expert Panel Discussion

A team of Farmers State Bank fraud experts took the stage to discuss common scams and how customers can protect themselves.

Troy Graham, Electronic Banking Specialist

Troy stressed the importance of monitoring your accounts daily and using secure methods of payment:

• Use Apple Pay or Samsung Pay to mask debit card numbers.

• Sign up for online banking alerts to be notified of suspicious activity immediately.

• Use a separate card for online purchases to minimize risk.

Doug Williams, IT & Cybersecurity

Doug walked us through best practices for securing digital accounts:

• Use long, unique passwords and avoid reusing the same ones across multiple sites.

• Enable two-factor authentication for extra security.

• Use password managers like Bitwarden or LastPass to securely store credentials.

• Beware of phishing emails and never click suspicious links.

Christine Hankins, President of Retail Banking

Christine discussed how fraudsters manipulate victims through social engineering and the importance of electronic payments over checks. She shared:

• How scammers use AI-generated voices to impersonate loved ones over the phone.

• Why Farmers State Bank asks questions about large wire transfers—it’s for your protection, not intrusion.

• How writing checks puts your information at risk and why paying bills electronically is safer.

Fraud Prevention Resources

Throughout the seminar, we highlighted several important resources to help protect yourself:

• Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline – (800) 243-0618

• Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registry – donotcall.gov

• Annual Credit Report Website – annualcreditreport.com (Check your credit report for free once per year!)

• Identity Theft Hotline – (866) 999-5630

FAQ: Your Fraud Prevention Questions Answered

Q: What should I do if I receive a suspicious call from my bank? A: Hang up and call your bank directly using the phone number listed on their official website. Never provide personal information over the phone.

Q: How can I tell if an email is phishing? A: Look for typos, unusual sender addresses, and generic greetings like “Dear Customer.” Hover over links before clicking to see if they match legitimate websites.

Q: Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi for banking? A: No! Use a VPN or your phone’s cellular data instead. Public networks are easy targets for hackers.

Q: Should I keep my Social Security card in my purse? A: Absolutely not! Store it in a safe place and only carry it when necessary.

Q: What’s the safest way to pay bills? A: Electronic payments through your bank’s bill pay system are safer than mailing checks, which can be intercepted and altered.

Q: What if I fall for a scam? A: Report it immediately to your bank and law enforcement. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering lost funds.

Stay Vigilant—And Laugh Along the Way

Fraud is serious, but that doesn’t mean learning about it has to be boring. Our seminar was filled with real-life stories, eye-opening fraud tactics, and even a few laughs to keep things engaging.

If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry—you can still listen to the full seminar and arm yourself with the knowledge to fight fraud. And remember, if you ever have questions about fraud or suspicious activity, your team at Farmers State Bank is always here to help.