Boardman woman reports losing $30,000 in bank fraud scheme

A Boardman woman reported to police on Wednesday that $30,000 was fraudulently withdrawn from her bank account after someone opened a joint account in her name at a bank in Michigan.

According to a Boardman Police Department report, the woman went to pay for gas on Tuesday and her card was declined due to insufficient funds. Upon checking her account, she discovered the large withdrawal.

The woman contacted her bank, which informed her that the transaction occurred at a Huntington Bank branch in Warren, Michigan. The branch manager in Michigan told the woman that two individuals opened a joint account in her name and subsequently transferred the funds to another account.

The report indicates that the crime occurred between approximately 10:47 a.m. on Tuesday and 10:23 a.m. on Wednesday.

Boardman police advised the woman to contact the Warren Police Department in Michigan, since that’s where the crime took place.

The police report does not say how the woman's identity information got into the hands of the perpetrators.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers the following tips to help consumers avoid becoming victims of similar fraud schemes:

Monitor Your Accounts Regularly: Review your bank and credit card statements frequently for any unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious activity immediately to your financial institution.

Be Cautious with Your Personal Information: Do not share sensitive information such as your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords over the phone, by email, or through unsecured websites unless you initiated the contact and are certain of the recipient's legitimacy.  

Shred Financial Documents: Before discarding them, shred any document containing your account numbers, Social Security number, or other personal financial information.

Be Wary of Unsolicited Communications: Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, text messages, or phone calls asking for your personal or financial information. Legitimate companies and government agencies will not typically request such information through these channels.  

Consider Credit Freezes: A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.  

Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for your online accounts and avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites. Consider using a password manager.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication for your online accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step in addition to your password.  

If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft or bank fraud, contact your financial institution immediately and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. You may also want to file a police report in your local jurisdiction.