Ever since Amazon took off and Facebook launched its marketplace, it seems like the only way to shop is online. Scammers have taken notice and they are constantly trying new schemes to trick careless online shoppers out of money or their private information. The latest scam on the digital marketplace involves payment apps and phony buyers on the Facebook Marketplace who "need" you to update your Zelle, CashApp, or other digital wallet in order to accept money from them.

Here's how it works...

After listing a big-ticket item on the Facebook Marketplace, you are contacted by a buyer who wants to pay using a peer-to-peer payment app. While recent reports reference Zelle, this scam can involve any digital wallet like CashApp, Venmo, or any similar service.

Shortly after receiving a payment, you get an email supposedly from whichever app you used to transfer money. The email will claim the buyer paid via a "business account" and state that you need to upgrade your account to business status to accept the transfer. The "buyer" will offer to send more money to cover the costs of this upgrade as long as you promise to refund them, sending screenshots of their digital wallet with the money deducted from their account. Then the scammer will begin pressuring you into repaying them for these phony fees.

Here's the rub: the initial payment was never sent in the first place! You'll be out a few hundred dollars and the scammer will disappear.

How you avoid scams when selling online:

Don't trust anyone offering to overpay. Unless your item is particularly rare and receive multiple offers over the asking price, be wary of buyers offering you more than you're asking. People tend to shop online to save money, not overspend!

Check email addresses carefully. This goes for any email that you receive, but if you receive an email from a digital wallet company you use, be sure to double-check that the address is legitimate. Scammers will fake addresses that appear similar to official ones unless you look very closely.

Get to know your payment app's policies before use. If you receive a claim that you need to upgrade your account to accept payments, check the app's official website or contact customer service before spending or sending any money. Scammers often make up fake rules or policies to trick their victims.

When in doubt, back out. You are not obligated to accept an offer when selling on Facebook Marketplace. Keep an eye out for common red flags that you are being scammed and don't be afraid to block and/or report someone who you think might be trying to scam you or others.

Report scammers to Facebook Marketplace. If you spot a seller trying to pull off a scam or fall victim to one yourself, report them. Your report can help protect other users.

New Tripoli Bank congratulates John Hayes, Chief Executive Officer for the Bank, on being selected by Lehigh Valley Business as among the region’s power players for its annual Power 30 Banking and Finance list. This group is composed of the region’s most significant, influential, and respected leaders in their fields. The honorees are chosen by Lehigh Valley Business’ editorial leadership team and the list was released in print and online at LVB.com on July 4.

For the past six years, John Hayes has been responsible for leading New Tripoli Bank’s lending efforts and initiatives, including front line lending personnel along with credit analysis and operations. Formerly the Bank’s Chief Lending Officer, Mr. Hayes recently assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer from Dave Hunsicker.

“Mobile and online banking platforms are changing how people interact with the bank and how the bank interacts with our customers,” Mr. Hayes explained, referencing evolving consumer demands for modern financial services. “Demand is increasing for this digital banking experience from boomers all the way through Generation Z, and it’s transforming how the entire banking industry operates. Our challenge is to maintain our top-notch IT platform and couple it with the close, personal relationship we have with our customers.”

Hayes said the prevalence of fraud is increasing, and fraudsters are getting smarter. “We work closely with our customers to protect them and the bank, and it’s a constant battle.”

What’s always rewarding, however, is “our ability to help people, to make a real difference in their lives. We have a strong commitment to our community, volunteer our time, and specialize in helping small businesses grow and residents finance their homes. I love what I do!”

He said he has been fortunate to have worked with several mentors. “Some people you’ve never heard of, like Bob DeVault, Sue Atkinson and Rene Vander Vossen, were keys in my early years. Others, like Dave Hunsicker and Brent Peters, are well known in the Lehigh Valley. Dave and Brent taught me what it means to be a community banker and a leader. Their leadership and inspiration will always guide me, and I thank them for teaching me and trusting in me.”

Cybersecurity should not be limited to the home, office, or classroom. It is important to practice safe online behavior and secure your Internet-enabled mobile devices whenever you travel. The more you travel and access the Internet on the go, the more cyber risks you will face. No one is exempt from the threat of cybercrime, at home or on the go, but you can follow these simple tips to stay safe online when traveling.

Before You Go

• Update your mobile software. Treat your mobile device like your home or work computer. Keep your operating system software and apps updated, which will improve your device’s ability to defend against malware.
• Back up your information. Back up your contacts, photos, videos and other mobile device data with another device or cloud service.
• Keep it locked. Get into the habit of locking your device when you are not using it. Even if you only step away for a few minutes, that is enough time for someone to steal or destroy your information. Use strong PINs and passwords.

While You Are There

• Stop auto connecting. Disable remote connectivity and Bluetooth. Some devices will automatically seek and connect to available wireless networks, and Bluetooth enables your device to connect wirelessly with other devices, such as headphones or automobile infotainment systems. Disable these features so that you only connect to wireless and Bluetooth networks when you want to.
• Think before you connect. Before you connect to any public wireless hotspot – like on an airplane, in an airport, hotel, train, bus station, or café – be sure to confirm the name of the network and exact login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate. Do not conduct sensitive activities, such as online shopping, banking, or sensitive work, using a public wireless network. Only use sites that begin with “https://” when online shopping or banking. Using your mobile network connection is more secure than using a public wireless network.
• Think before you click. Use caution when downloading or clicking on any unknown links. Delete emails that are suspicious or are from unknown sources. Review and understand the details of an application before installing.
• Guard your mobile device. Never leave your mobile devices–including any USB or external storage devices–unattended in a public place. Keep your devices secured in taxis, at airports, on airplanes, and in your hotel room to prevent theft and unauthorized access or loss of sensitive information.

Common Cybersecurity Threats While Traveling

• Unsecured wireless networks. While public wireless networks provide great convenience by allowing people to connect to the Internet from anywhere, they are unsecure and provide cyber criminals with a back door to access to your Internet-enabled devices. Beyond the typical public wireless networks found at airports, restaurants, hotels, and cafés, they are increasingly available in other places, such as on airplanes and in public parks.
• Publicly accessible computers. Hotel business centers, libraries, and cyber cafés provide computers that anyone can use. However, travelers cannot trust that these computers are running the latest operating systems or have updated antivirus software. Cyber criminals may have infected these machines with malicious viruses or installed malicious software. One example is keylogger malware which, when installed, captures the keystrokes of the computer’s users and sends this information to the hacker via email. Through this malware, criminals can receive users’ personal information, such as names, credit card numbers, birthdates, and passwords.
• Physical theft of devices. Thieves often target travelers. Mealtimes are optimum times for thieves to check hotel rooms for unattended laptops. If you are attending a conference or trade show, be especially wary — these venues offer thieves a wider selection of devices that are likely to contain sensitive information, and the conference sessions offer more opportunities for thieves to access guest rooms.

Stop.Think.Connect.™ is a national public awareness campaign aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online. The Campaign’s main objective is to help you become more aware of growing cyber threats and arm you with the tools to protect yourself, your family, and your community. For more information visit www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect.

New Tripoli Bank is pleased to announce that Andrea Harris, BSA and Security Officer for the bank, has successfully completed Community Banker University’s Certified BSA/AML Professional program and has earned the professional designation Certified BSA/AML Professional – CBAP. Community Banker University, the education division of the Community Bankers of America, offers nine certification programs accredited by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

To earn certification, Andrea attended the recent ICBA BSA/AML Institutes and successfully completed the certification examination covering the fundamental concepts of BSA/AML regulations and their applications. Andrea has worked for New Tripoli Bank for over 11 years.

"With this CBAP certification, Andrea has demonstrated a mastery of key banking concepts for professional development and to contribute to helping New Tripoli Bank achieve its business goals and objectives," said ICBA Group Executive Vice President Lindsay LaNore. Dave Hunsicker, New Tripoli Bank President, Chair and CEO, said of the news, “We make it our goal to stay up to date with the changing regulations in the industry, to provide the most secure banking service for our customers. Andrea has demonstrated her commitment to our bank’s goals by earning this rare designation from the ICBA-Certified BSA/AML Institutes.”

May 18 was no ordinary day for 17 very extraordinary people.

Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services organized the 22nd annual “Tribute to Unsung Heroes” award presentation. This event honored 17 older Lehigh County residents who displayed exceptional generosity with their time and talents to enhance the lives of others throughout their communities.

In 1965, then-President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Older Americans Act, declaring May Older American Month.

The theme for this year’s nominees was “Age My Way.”

Guests were welcomed by Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services, Executive Director, Clayton Reed Jr. Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Aging Robert Torres gave opening remarks. Both men presented certificates and citations to each recipient.

Willard A. Snyder, former President and Chairman Emeritus for New Tripoli Bank, was among those honorees nominated as an Unsung Hero.

In hand with his new bride Lucille in the late 1950’s, Willard A. Snyder migrated from his native Carbon County across the Blue Mountain to the New Tripoli area of Lynn Township. While it was a short journey by today’s standards, this young man, fluent in Pennsylvania German, blended quickly with the tightly knit locals, also mostly German, and with the name Snyder, the door opened to their fellowship and ancestry.

With a degree in Business Education, Willard began as a teacher, quickly moving into the world of the local trustworthy banker, eventually wearing the hat of President and CEO of the New Tripoli Bank. The well-earned title of Board Member or President or Treasurer or Association Director attached his name in more than a half dozen banking associations throughout Pennsylvania. In the community, he replicated these leadership roles with the Ebenezer Church Consistory, various Lynn Township Boards, Community Fire Company of New Tripoli and founding President of the Northwestern Lehigh Educational Foundation. All these contacts, along with being the Father of 3 active sons, nurtured Willard’s developing passion for absorbing and preserving local history. In 2000, Willard teamed with a few other locals, including his late friend and avid artifacts collector, Carl D. Snyder, in creating the Lynn Township Historical Society, serving as President or Treasurer for many terms, and later expanding to include neighboring Heidelberg Township.

Willard Snyder was the leader; the originator and hands-on promoter of the many to date accomplishments of the Lynn-Heidelberg Historical Society. Instrumental in developing LHHS’s permanent museum/library in the old New Tripoli Bank, Willard and his team also enjoyed a well-deserved working relationship with Lynn Township officials and community leaders to become part of the much-anticipated rebirth of the previously widely known Ontelaunee (amusement) Park in New Tripoli, dating back to 1929, sadly later abandoned. Restored as a recreational space, Willard enjoined the local historical society in creating “Pioneer Village” as a historical and educational treasure in the Park, now home to the relocation or re-creation of these important local structures:

• Zeisloff House log cabin from its original site where many family members were massacred during the French and Indian War.
• Early frontier Fort Everett, replica of the nearby Blue Mountain forts established by Ben Franklin.
• An 1800’s bank barn, generally credited solely to Willard’s acquisition and reconstruction directives
• The “Tripoli” Train Station replica through which the “Berksy” hauled potatoes and students throughout Berks and Lehigh Counties.

Willard was likewise a major player in establishing the Park’s annual October “Pioneer Festival” recreating early frontier life with costumed re-enactors.

Willard Snyder has truly dedicated his life and many personal resources to his love of local history. You will find his name engraved on the plaque in Allentown’s Liberty Bell Museum as a participant in the Bicentennial reenactment of the original 1776 Liberty Bell Trek between Philadelphia and Allentown, commemorating the rescue of the bells of Philadelphia, including our symbolic Liberty Bell, to safety in Allentown. Subsequent treks found Willard and others honoring local farmer Frederick Leaser who contributed his wagons to the 1776 trek.

Willard announced and led the restoration of the Leaser Family gravesite in Lynn Township from an overgrown wildlife refuge to an annually renewed public memorial with Old Glory flying overhead.

Willard Snyder was also recently recognized by the Liberty Bell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as their 2022 National Historic Preservation Award-winner for his contributions to preserving the history of Lehigh County as it relates to the American Revolution and the founding of our country.

Willard has dedicated his life to preserving the history of New Tripoli the surrounding areas, and the Pennsylvania Dutch culture. The Lynn-Heidelberg Historical Society was established to preserve the history of the community dating to the early 1700's. Mr. Snyder served as a founding member of LHHS, President for many years, and is still actively involved in its work. He was active in the reenactment of the 1776 trek of the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown in 1976 and its subsequent treks. These treks also honored Frederick Leaser, a past resident of the area whose wagons were used to haul the Liberty Bell to Allentown when it was evacuated from Philadelphia.

Mr. Snyder has devoted his time, energy, and personal resources to enhancing the mission of the Historical Society. Among the Society's achievements over the past twenty years are the following:

• Restoring the family gravesite of the Leaser family.
• Moving the Zeisloft House from its original site to the Pioneer Village at Ontelaunee Park. The Zeislofts were one of the early families residing in the area who lost many family members to the massacre by the American Indians during the French and Indian War.
• Construction of Fort Everett in Pioneer Village at Ontelaunee Park as a replica of one of the forts established by Benjamin Franklin along the Blue Mountain, which served to provide security to the area during the French and Indian War.

Pennsylvania has such a rich history in our country—from its earliest Dutch settlements through the American Revolution—with so many battles, especially Valley Forge, and the pivotal role Philadelphia played in our founding, all the way to ringing the Liberty Bell, despite its unfortunate "ending" in 1846. Willard Snyder believed it was his duty to help preserve all of this storied history.

These pieces were originally published in the Lehigh Valley Press and the program booklet for the Daughters of the American Revolution's Award Ceremony for National Historic Preservation 2022.

The Board of Directors of New Tripoli Bank is pleased to announce they have hired Kate Hart Zayaitz as Senior Vice President and Senior Loan Officer.

Kate comes to New Tripoli Bank from her previous position as Commercial Bank Team Leader at Fulton Bank, where she worked for the past five years. Prior to Fulton, she was employed as a Corporate Banker for Truist (previously BB&T) and National Penn Bank.

Kate was born and raised in Emmaus and attended Emmaus High School. She is a graduate of Dickinson College and Lehigh University, where she obtained her Master of Business Administration. In 2008, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce named Kate the inaugural Athena Young Professional. Lehigh Valley Business Journal named her one of the “Top 20 Up & Coming People Under 40” in 2001 and a “Woman of Influence” in 2015.

She is involved with Commercial Real Estate for Women Lehigh Valley, serves as the Audit Committee Chair for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, and chairs the East Penn Chamber Scholarship Committee. She and her husband live in Lower Macungie Township with their two daughters.

We have noticed a trend of increasing incidents of mail check fraud in our area in recent weeks. Mail check fraud occurs when a fraudster steals a check directly from your mailbox or the blue U.S. Post Office boxes and alters the amount on the check and/or the payee information on the check.

New Tripoli Bank recommends our customers take one of the following steps to avoid becoming the victim of mail check fraud:

• Set up online bill pay using our online or mobile banking tools, if you feel comfortable doing so. You can learn more about setting up automated bill pay here.
• If you want to continue mailing checks, we recommend you drop them off at your local Post Office or hand them directly to a USPS employee.

We also advise our customers write their checks out in gel or felt tip pen to help prevent the check from being altered. If you plan to use a blue mailbox to mail checks, try to deposit your checks around the time of the last mail collection of the day so the check does not sit in the mailbox for long.

If you have been a victim of a scam, whether it be check fraud or another scam, please reach out to New Tripoli Bank at 610-298-8811 and we can help you. You can also contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or visit https://www.uspis.gov/report to file a report.

New Tripoli Bank has donated $50,000 to the Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department. This donation, combined with strong community fundraising, has allowed the department to purchase a new tanker engine apparatus. On Monday, April 4, 2022, Dave Hunsicker, New Tripoli Bank President, CEO & Chairman, John Hayes, Executive VP & Chief Lending Officer, and Dave Sherwin, Vice President & Commercial Lender, visited the fire station to present the check to Fire Chief Matt Krapf, Assistant Chief Scott Freeman, Deputy Chief Brian Carl, and Fire Department President & Captain Jeff Broadhurst.

This donation helped fund the fire department’s newest truck: a 37-foot long, 34-ton Rosenbauer tanker engine apparatus that can hold up to 3,000 gallons of water. The new vehicle will help the fire department better protect to the safety of the community and comes with quality-of-life improvements that make it easier for the volunteers to fight fires and handle emergency situations. The new tanker replaces the 1977 Kenworth the department had previously used, which they had refurbished in 1999, and has since found a new home with a small-town fire department in another state.

Bank President Dave Hunsicker remarked on the bank’s long history of providing financial support to the Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department, “I’ve often said there is nothing more important than neighbors helping neighbors in their time of need. This check is recognition and thanks to our local volunteers for their dedicated service to the community.” In the days since the donation, the fire department has already had two opportunities to test their new truck while answering structure fire calls. Fire Chief Matt Krapf said, “for both calls, the apparatus has already proved its value and what a great asset it will be to the Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department.”

Pictured from left to right: Jeff Broadhurst, President & Captain, Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department; Brian Carl, Deputy Chief, Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department; John Hayes, Executive VP & Chief Lending Officer, New Tripoli Bank; Matt Krapf, Fire Chief, Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department; Dave Sherwin, Vice President & Commercial Lender, New Tripoli Bank; Dave Hunsicker, President, Chair & CEO, New Tripoli Bank; Scott Freeman, Assistant Chief, Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department

Set SMART goals

Start a Savings Account

Consider Seasonal Employment

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Understand Risk & Reward

Build Your Credit Score

The idea of “sustainability” is linked to a lot of local activities these days—whether it’s reusing or recycling products, sampling culinary delights from a local bakery, or choosing to buy American-made products to support our national economy. There are plenty of reasons why eating, dining, and banking locally makes good economic sense.

If you’ve ever wondered if it matters where you deposit your hard-earned money, let me assure you it does. Not only does banking locally support small businesses (community banks fund more than 60% of small business loans and more than 80% of ag loans), but as locally owned and operated businesses themselves, they are part of the economic engines that create 62 percent of new jobs annually.

Community banks like New Tripoli Bank take in deposits and make loans that keep funds right here in the Lehigh Valley and feed our local economy. It is all part of the strong relationship that community banks have with the communities they serve, and the proceeds from those businesses employ residents, fund municipalities, and continue the cycle of local economic growth.

And if you need more proof, consider the community bank response to the coronavirus pandemic.

• Community banks, as economic first responders, made 60 percent of total Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses, including 72 percent of PPP loans to minority business owners.
• Community banks outpace large banks in their average number of banks operating in both rural and urban markets by a 3:1 ratio.
• Community banks are the preferred small business lenders, with an 81 percent net satisfaction score compared to 68 percent for large banks and just 43 percent for online lenders.
• Community banks have consistently demonstrated their safety and soundness with higher capital ratios and better loan quality than larger institutions.
• Community banks operate in areas abandoned by others—serving as the only physical banking presence in nearly one in three counties.

But it is not just about stats. When customers contact New Tripoli Bank, they are greeted by a talented team member who is attuned to their needs and empowered to act on their behalf.

And when our employees log volunteer hours in support of the Lowhill Food Pantry or Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley or when New Tripoli Bank contributes to East Penn Restaurant Week or the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, we are working toward our goal to ensure economic prosperity for the community we call home.

April is Community Banking Month, and I want to thank our customers for putting their trust in us for their banking needs. For our neighbors who may be considering a switch, I implore you to take a closer look at New Tripoli Bank to discover how we can help you realize your financial dreams.

At New Tripoli Bank, we pledge to never lose sight of the all-important relationship and the personalized service our customers expect. After all, at New Tripoli Bank, people are more valuable than money.

Remember, we are all in this together. Community banks like ours are only successful if our customers and communities are, too. That is why community banks and our relationship business model have thrived for more than 110 years. We know what it takes to create successful local economies. Join us in helping to build a more sustainable, vibrant economy here at home!