Given the current environment with the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters are taking advantage, using fear and uncertainty to victimize consumers. Andover Bank reminds consumers the importance of protecting their accounts and personal information with these tips and best practices:

• Your financial institution will never call you to request information you received via text (SMS)
• Don't provide your account number or personal information by email or text
• Don't trust Caller ID; Caller ID may be modified to show your financial institution's name
• Don't feel pressured to provide information immediately in response to requests via text, email or phone. Using their published phone number, reach out to your financial institution to confirm that the request is legitimate.
• Don't give information over the phone if you receive a call stating that a transaction is canceled, even if the caller claims to be from your financial institution. Once again, contact your financial institution using a published phone number to inquire about the transaction.
• Don't click on links in unsolicited emails or texts
• Don't give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer

Andover Bank will never call you to request that you send money, ask for account information or approve a transaction. 

In addition, be extra vigilant around medical scams:

• Be aware of charity scams that claim to help COVID-19 victims and their families, along with investment schemes involving research for the development of a vaccination
• Some scammers claim to be from medical organizations that have a COVID-19 vaccination and require over-the-phone payments to reserve a dose

For more tips and information, vist the FTC's coronavirus website.