Ongoing Scams Target PPP Loan Recipients

We are issuing an important alert to our customers and community members regarding a recent scam targeting recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Fraudsters are exploiting publicly available PPP loan data to impersonate financial institutions and deceive individuals into revealing sensitive banking information.

These scams are sophisticated and often involve spoofed phone numbers, making it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate bank. Once contact is made, scammers may request online banking credentials and one-time security codes, which they then use to access accounts and initiate unauthorized transactions.

What You Need to Know

These scams often involve spoofed phone numbers, making it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate bank. Once contact is made, scammers may request online banking credentials or one-time passcodes to gain unauthorized access to your accounts.

How the Scam Works

This scam is evolving rapidly, with fraudsters adapting their tactics with each call or message. We will continue to update this page as we learn more.

Common Methods of Contact

• Spoofed phone numbers: The call might appear to come from a legitimate First Financial phone number.
• Text messages: The fraudsters might even contact your personal mobile phone number.

Reasons for Contacting

The reasons fraudsters claim to be reaching out from First Financial have varied. Please be wary regardless of the reason someone is contacting you to talk about your bank information or transactions. Known reasons these fraudsters are citing include:

• Issues with a payment or transaction (ACH, wire, or check).
• Suspicious account activity or fraud within digital banking.

Tactics to Retrieve Personal Information

• Requests for online banking credentials or security tokens.
• Fake links to “update” your digital banking information or to “freeze” a transaction.

How to Protect Yourself

The best protection is your intuition. It is a red flag if an impersonator asks for information or credentials enabling access to online systems. If the person is an employee of a bank or other business, they should already have that information.   

• Verify All Callers: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call us directly at 855-660-5862 or contact your Relationship Manager.
• Don’t Trust Caller ID: Caller ID can be spoofed. Always verify independently.
• Avoid Clicking Unsolicited Links: Never click on links in unexpected text messages.
• Keep Your Credentials Private: NEVER share your digital banking credentials, passcodes, or tokens.
• Know Our Policy: We will NEVER ask for your password or one-time passcodes.
• Educate Your Team: Business owners should ensure employees are trained to recognize phishing and spoofing attempts. Share any fraud alerts from First Financial Bank with your team.
• Report Suspicious Activity Immediately: If you suspect fraud or unauthorized access, contact us right away at [email protected] or reach out to your Relationship Manager.

We're Here to Help

If you have any concerns or believe you may have been targeted by a scam, please contact your local branch, Relationship Manager, or our Customer Care Center immediately. Even if you are unsure, we would much rather you ask the necessary questions now than fall victim to a fraudster. Your security is our top priority.

Refer to our Business Fraud Prevention Hub for more information on common scams.