How to Recognize Fake Financial Letters

It only takes one convincing letter to cause lasting harm. Scammers are using personal details, property references, and fake case numbers to make their communications look real. These schemes can lead to stolen information, financial loss, and weeks or even months spent recovering from fraud.

What’s Happening

Fraudsters are sending out letters and emails that appear to be from trusted banks or lenders. These documents often use official-looking logos, urgent language, or claims of account issues or missed payments to pressure recipients into acting quickly.

In this example, the scam letter references a specific property and even includes a “case number” to look more authentic. While those details can make the document appear legitimate, it is not from First Federal or any verified financial institution. These scams are designed to trick you into providing personal details such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, or payment information.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious if you notice:

• References to a case number or property address you recognize (used to appear legitimate)
• Requests for sensitive information like your Social Security number, PIN, or online banking credentials
• Typos, formatting errors, or inconsistent branding
• Claims of overdue balances or urgent deadlines
• Instructions to call or email a number or address that doesn’t match your known contacts
• Envelopes or sender names that seem unfamiliar

If you ever receive a message or letter that feels suspicious, do not respond, click links, or call the number listed.

What To Do If You Receive One

If you receive a letter or message like the one shown:

• Do not share any personal information.
• Contact First Federal directly at 888-317-8333 or visit your local branch to verify if it’s legitimate.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division.
• Shred or securely dispose of any fraudulent letters to prevent future misuse.

Stay Safe and Informed

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but awareness is your best defense. We encourage customers to regularly review their account statements, enable text and email alerts, and monitor credit activity for any unusual changes.

You can find additional tips and trusted resources on our Fraud Prevention page.

At First Federal, we’ll never contact you by text, phone, or email asking for personal or account information.
When in doubt, pause, verify, and call us directly. We’re here to help keep your accounts and identity safe.