Stay Protected from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Scams
At Park Bank, protecting our clients and our community is always a top priority. We want to make you aware of a continuing scam targeting individuals and businesses who received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
Because PPP loan information is publicly accessible, fraudsters may use these details to make their outreach seem legitimate. They often pose as trusted organizations like banks or government agencies in an attempt to gain your trust and access sensitive information. These scams can come in many forms, including phone calls, emails, text messages, and even mailed documents.
While these attempts can appear convincing, there are key warning signs you can watch for. Staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your business.
Common Scam Tactics
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they approach individuals and businesses. They often tailor their messages to appear credible and may reference real details about your business to build trust. These tactics are often used by scammers.
- Spoofed phone calls
- Requests for sensitive information
- Suspicious emails or text messages
- Urgent or threatening language
- Unusual payment requests
- Fraudulent mail
How to Protect Yourself
- Guard Your Information – Park Bank will never ask for your password, PIN, or full account details through an unexpected call, text or email. If someone asks for this information, it is a clear red flag.
- Pause and Verify – If you receive a message claiming to be from your bank, don’t click links or respond right away. Instead, contact Park Bank directly using the phone number on your debit card, statement, or our website to confirm whether the message is legitimate.
- Strengthen Your Passwords – Choose passwords that are unique and difficult to guess. Avoid using personal information such as birthdays, addresses, or pet names.
- Extra Security – Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of protection to your account. When available, enabling this feature can make it much harder for scammers to gain access even if they have your password.
If you ever have questions about a message you've received or believe you may have been targeted or affected, please contact us right away at 608-278-2801