The US Secret Service is warning of a well-organized fraud ring exploiting the COVID-19 crisis in order to commit large-scale fraud against state unemployment insurance programs.

Individuals are receiving multiple deposits from various State Unemployment Benefit Programs.

It is assumed the fraud ring behind this possesses a substantial database of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in order to have submitted the volume of applications observed thus far.

If any of the following scenarios happen to you, you may be a victim and need to take action:

• You receive a notice from your employer notifying you of your application for unemployment benefits;
• You receive funds deposited in your bank account that you were not expecting;
• You receive letters regarding an unemployment application that you did not file;
• You have received funds deposited in your bank account and have been contacted by someone instructing you to withdraw the funds and send them to someone.

If you are a victim of this type of fraudulent unemployment claim, take these actions:

• Report the activity to both of these sites immediately
  • https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/idtheft/
  • https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
• Visit the following for information and best practices to follow for Identify Theft
  • https://www.idtheft.gov
• The GSB Resource Center is available at resourceteam@gorhamsavings.bank or 207-221-8432 for additional assistance

If you are the recipient of unexpected funds deposited into your GSB account:

• Contact the GSB Customer Service Center;
• Contact local law enforcement;
• Do not withdraw, spend, or send these funds to anyone.

Thank you for being vigilant and helping us fight fraud.