Keep yourself safe from fraud.
Fraudsters and other bad actors see natural disasters as a ripe opportunity to scam people while they’re vulnerable. Here are some tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe:
Ask questions.
Ask for a form of identification or license, inquire about their business and what they provide, and see if anyone else in your area knows about them. If they can’t or won’t answer, that’s a red flag.
Take a breath.
Don’t feel pressured to make a big financial decision right away. Take a step back, do your research, and make sure they’re legitimate before agreeing to or signing anything.
This will also help you avoid being a victim of price gouging that often takes place after a disaster. Prices are likely to go back to normal after a few days or weeks.
Think before you share.
Think before you share information like your Social Security number and never share log-in information for your bank account and credit cards.
Washington Trust Bank will never ask for your password.
Donate only to legitimate organizations.
Scammers sometimes form fake charities to gather money from well-meaning donors. Make sure the person or organization you’re donating to is legitimate.
Visit the Security & Fraud Prevention page for more information on identifying and preventing fraud or call our Priority Service team at 800.788.4578.