Fraud Resources

What to Do If You Are a Victim of Fraud

If you believe you have received a fraudulent message or have been affected by a scam, please call us at (866)-784-9550.

A compromised account is one accessed by a person not authorized to use the account.  This includes fraudulent ACH transactions, check forgeries, fraudulent wire transfers and other fraudulent transactions

  • Review all account activity to ensure no other fraudulent transactions have occurred
  • Close accounts that have been compromised and open new ones, if necessary.
  • Contact local law enforcement.  Make sure to get a copy of the report as you may need this information to support claims to credit bureaus, creditors, debt collectors or other companies
  • Contact your financial institution to update passwords for online banking
  • If a business account, consider utilizing positive pay or ACH alerts if your financial institution offers such services
  • If a consumer account, consider utilizing Deluxe Provent as an identity theft protection measure
  • Consider implementing Security Shield password protection on all accounts
  • Initiate a fraud alert on your credit report and freeze your credit, if needed.
    • Equifax: 800-525-6285
    • Experian: 888-397-3742
    • TransUnion: 800-680-7289
  • Run one, free credit report from each bureau every four months at www.annualcreditreport.com
  • Change email address and/or password.  If password was compromised and used for additional sites, change those passwords as well
  • Run several full scans of PC and mobile devices for malware. 
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
  • Review the Step by Step Identify Theft Recovery Plan at www.identitytheft.gov

  • Close accounts that have been opened without your consent
  • Contact local law enforcement.  Make sure to get a copy of the report as you may need this information to support claims to credit bureaus, creditors, debt collectors or other companies
  • Initiate a fraud alert on your credit report and freeze your credit, if needed.
    • Equifax: 800-525-6285
    • Experian: 888-397-3742
    • TransUnion: 800-680-7289
  • Run one, free credit report from each bureau every four months at www.annualcreditreport.com
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
  • Review the Step by Step Identify Theft Recovery Plan at www.identitytheft.gov

  • Once you have determined that a fraud scheme is happening, do NOT send any more money.  Develop a timeline and collect documents and information that could help with filing a police report or investigate the fraud.
  • Reach out to your local financial institution to close the account and open a new one, if necessary.  Discuss what has happened and what can be done to retrieve any funds that have been sent.
  • Reach out to local law enforcement to submit a report. In some instances they are able to retrieve any money that has been sent
  • Initiate a fraud alert on your credit report, if a credit account is involved.
    • Equifax: 800-525-6285
    • Experian: 888-397-3742
    • TransUnion: 800-680-7289
  • Run one, free credit report from each bureau every four months at www.annualcreditreport.com
  • Contact your financial institution to update passwords for online banking

  • Update your security software, run a scan, and delete any malware on your computer.  Use a professional to remove and/or replace device(s) (www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0011-malware).
  • Enable biometrics or advanced security measures on mobile device.
  • Change any passwords for your email and social media accounts.  If you use similar passwords for other accounts, change them as well.
  • Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all devices, if possible.  Check to see if your email or social media account lets you turn on MFA
  • In some instances you may have to set up a new email and/or new social media account.
  • Once you are back in your account, check on a few things:
    • Look at your signature block and make sure it doesn’t have any unfamiliar links
    • Consider what hackers might have seen in your inbox.  Consider changing usernames and passwords for accounts that may be at risk
    • Look at the Sent, Trash, or Delete folders to uncover clues about what the hacker did.  In your social media account, check for messages that the hacker might have sent
  • Report misused information at www.identitytheft.gov/assistant# or call 877-438-4338

  • Keep your operating system updated on your PC and mobile device(s)
  • Keep browsers, accounting software and apps updated
  • Maintain at least one paid antivirus/malware software
  • Run routine scans and review details
  • Connect your PC or mobile device only using a secure internet connection (no public or unsecured Wi-Fi)

Investment Scam Tracker

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions has published an investment scam tracker to alert the public to potential threats affecting Wisconsin communities. The DFI urges Wisconsin residents to exercise extreme caution before responding to any solicitation offering investment or financial services, especially if it involves cryptocurrency. To be safe, do not give money to anyone you meet online.​

Fraud Resources

Crypto Investment Scams

Scammers have been targeting individuals in our community with crypto investment scams. Stay vigilent and learn how you can protect yourself from these scams here.

Preventing Elder Financial Abuse Guide

This guide will walk you through four key steps to help protect your friends and family members from financial abuse. It is important to watch out for signs of financial abuse and take steps to help your loved ones, if needed.

Identity Theft Protection

Every day criminals are finding new ways to steal personal information and perpetrate fraud. That’s why Coulee Bank has teamed up with Deluxe Provent to provide you with an integrated suite of identity theft protection services that provide identity theft prevention, detection, and restoration.

Can You Spot an Investment Scam?

We know that there are plenty of scammers hawking phony investment opportunities. In 2023, people told the FTC that they lost $4.6 billion to investment scams — more than any other category.

Don't Be a Mule

Our communities have seen an uptick in Money Mule scams amongst unknowing participants. Acting as a money mule is illegal and punishable, even if you aren't aware you are committing a crime, so it is important to know the signs. The FBI offers information and resources regarding Money Mule scams.

Do Yourself a Favor: Be Crime Smart

Getting educated and taking a few basic steps may keep you from becoming a victim of crime and fraud—and save you a great deal of time and trouble. You can also help protect your families and communities by reporting suspicious activities.

Types of Consumer Fraud

Criminals are constantly thinking up ways to get access to your financial information or to get cash from you or your account. Arm yourself with the information you need to protect yourself from these scams. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency offers information on these latest scams.

Internet Crime Complaint Center

The Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, is the Nation’s central hub for reporting cyber crime. It is run by the FBI, the lead federal agency for investigating cyber crime. If you believe you have fallen victim to cyber crime, you can file a complaint or report. 

Your Right to Financial Privacy

In the normal course of business, financial institutions you do business with will request certain personal information. Federal law provides consumer protections to safeguard your privacy and set standards for information sharing in these situations.