Fraud and Security

PPP Loan Recipients Targeted by Fraudsters

Businesses that received funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) are being targeted by a new wave of scams. Banks nationwide are reporting an increase in attempts where fraudsters use publicly available PPP loan data to impersonate bank employees attempting to obtain online banking credentials.

The Dangers of AI in Financial Fraud: How to Protect Yourself

Imagine this: You’re at home, checking your bank account online. A pop-up message suddenly appears, claiming to be from your bank, Heartland Bank. It asks you to verify your identity by clicking a link or entering your personal information. The message looks so convincing—complete with logos, design and tone—that you act quickly. But by the time you realize something’s wrong, it’s too late. The message wasn’t from your bank at all. It was a sophisticated scam using AI to trick you.

Protect Yourself from Crypto-Related Fraud and Investment Scams

Cryptocurrency is a growing trend, offering investment opportunities but also attracting fraudsters targeting unsuspecting individuals. At Heartland Bank, we want to help you avoid falling victim to fraud and scams. Here’s a look at the risks and how to protect yourself.

Protect Yourself from Business Email Compromise (BEC) Scams: A Story You Need to Read

Imagine this: You run a small business and have a trusted vendor you’ve worked with for years. One day, you receive an email from them, asking for an urgent payment transfer for a big order. The email looks just like any other—familiar email address, familiar tone, even the payment details seem normal. You don’t think twice and send the payment.

Tax Time Scams to Look Out For

Tax time can be stressful enough without having to worry about scams. Unfortunately, tax season scams have been on the rise in recent years, particularly via phone and email.

Seven Tips For Creating Stronger Passwords

You’re in the process of registering a new online account to make a purchase and have come to the point where it is asking you to provide a password for your newly created account. Passwords are your first line of defense against hackers which makes your next step, creating the new password, crucial to keeping your information safe.