Autumn is here and while the leaves and temperatures are falling, it seems like the price of food and gas aren't following suit. On top of that, the changing season means more reasons to spend money including increased utility bills, updating your winter wardrobe, and planning for holiday purchases. Here are some tips to help you rake in some savings this fall season.

Winter-proof your home. Some TLC in the fall goes a long way toward cutting down on winter utility bills. Consider improving your home insulation by caulking or  using weather-stripping on windows and doors, and clean out your gutters to help with drainage. Cleaning or changing your furnace filter and checking if your roof is in need of repairs are two economical habits essential to prepare for the winter months. You should also consider switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs; though they cost more upfront, they'll save you money on electric bills in the long run.

Save on Appliances. Keep an eye out for your household appliances that are in need of replacing. Stores will put appliances on sale during the fall season to make room for new inventory and the latest models that come out just in time for holiday shopping. If you're shopping in person, ask sales associates if you can purchase floor models, which often come at a discount.

Clean Out Old Items. Take a long, hard look at your closets and storage spaces: they're probably full of items you haven't used in several years! Fall is a great time to clear out these items and make some additional cash while you're at it. Reach out to your neighbors about hosting a garage sale to sell off old, unwanted items, or post them to online shopping sites like eBay or Facebook marketplace. If you have a lot of old, still wearable apparel, clothing swaps are a great way to change up your wardrobe without spending a dime.

Set a Budget. Did you spend a little too freely over the summer? Fall is the perfect time to get your budget back in line. Go over your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. With the holidays fast approaching, saving extra cash now means you'll have more in your pocket for holiday purchases. New Tripoli Bank's online banking tool makes it easy to track your spending and allows you to set up automated bill payments to make sticking to your budget simpler.

Embrace DIY. Before you spend money on autumn accessories or Halloween décor, tap into your inner artist! Fall is a great time for DIY projects which can be a fun, cost-effective activity to enjoy with your family.

Finding ways to be frugal this season can help you save money while allowing you to enjoy everything the fall season has to offer. The best way to get started with your savings goals is signing up for Free Checking with New Tripoli Bank, which gives you access to our online banking tools that make it easy to keep to a budget.

The wave of mail check fraud and mail theft continues to affect communities throughout Lehigh County. In a recent news release, PA state police asked for public assistance to identify a vehicle connected with multiple thefts from residential mailboxes. The latest thefts took place on the 5100 block of Arrowhead Drive in North Whitehall Township, where police report two men in a maroon sedan stole mail from a mailbox. State troopers then responded to a second theft in the 7900 block of Saegersville Road in Heidelberg Township, where men in a maroon sedan were seen stealing mail from a mailbox. Authorities have asked that anyone with information related to these thefts contact state police at Bethlehem at (610) 861-2026.

As always, New Tripoli Bank recommends customers take steps to protect their sensitive financial information from mail theft and 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.

For more information on mail check fraud,  you can watch our Helpful Hints video on the topic!

New Tripoli Bank recently held a month-long coloring contest in July, encouraging our customers' kids to color in pages for a chance to win a fabulous gift basket. We were overwhelmed by the number of submissions we received and thought it would be nice to include them all on our website, so anyone who did not have a chance to enjoy them when they were hanging in our branches can see them!

Thanks to all the children who submitted art and brightened our branches with your coloring skills.

Judy Peters, Senior Vice President who handled Executive Assistant Duties and Shareholder Relationships at New Tripoli Bank, is officially retiring from the bank effective August 1st, 2022. Judy has worked for the bank in various capacities in her 47-year career and is looking forward to making cherished memories with her grandchildren.

Dave Hunsicker, Chairman and President of the Bank, said of Judy, “She has been an invaluable resource to me and the entire team at New Tripoli Bank. She was a dedicated employee who worked hard for New Tripoli Bank her entire career.”

“I so enjoyed my time at the bank, helping so many members of the community,” said Judy of her time with New Tripoli Bank, “However, I’ll still be residing in the area and look forward to catching up with many friends.”

Scam artists are impersonating the Department of Revenue by sending Pennsylvania business owners fraudulent letters in the mail that direct them to turn over their accounting records. The goal of this ploy is to trick unsuspecting taxpayers into providing sensitive financial information, which the criminals behind the scheme can use for a number of illicit activities that could seriously harm a business' financial standing.  

"This is a prime example of fraudsters impersonating a government agency as they try to convince hardworking Pennsylvanians to turn over sensitive information about their businesses," Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. "We are urging Pennsylvania business owners to be on high alert if they receive a suspicious notice that includes the Department of Revenue name and logo. If you have any doubt at all about the legitimacy of a notice from the department, please use the contact information listed on our website, revenue.pa.gov. This is the best way to ensure you are speaking with a legitimate staff member at the Department of Revenue."

Understanding the Scam

The goal of this scam is to make the recipient of the letter believe they are being investigated by the Department of Revenue for an "alleged violation of delinquent sales tax liability." The letter also threatens taxpayers by saying penalties will be imposed on their accounts. Further, the letter includes contact information for a "Resolution Officer" and urges the business owner to provide accounting records prepared by a licensed professional, such as an attorney or CPA.

Providing this information allows the scammers to comb through the accounting records for sensitive information such as bank account numbers and other financial data, which could be used to make unauthorized transactions, request fraudulent tax refunds, and even apply for loans under the name of the business.

Although these counterfeit notices bear the department's name and logo, the notices include suspicious and inaccurate details that can help differentiate between a counterfeit notice sent by a scam artist and a legitimate notice sent by the Department of Revenue. Be on the lookout for notices that make dubious claims or include suspicious details. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• The counterfeit notice does not include a return address. A notice from the Department of Revenue will always include an official Department of Revenue address as the return address.

• The counterfeit notice addresses the recipient as "Dear Business Owner." When the Department of Revenue attempts to contact a business through a notice in the mail, the notice typically addresses the business owner or business name.

• The counterfeit notice is sent by the "Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Tax Investigation & Enforcement Unit" and claims the business is "under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Revenue and Cash Disbursement Unit." While the department does conduct criminal tax investigations and tax enforcement, the units listed on the counterfeit notice are phony. Reach out to the department directly, as advised below, to determine if the "Unit" named exists.

• The counterfeit notice claims that the business has not registered their "entity with the Pennsylvania Department of State and The Sales and Use Tax Division." If you are an established business in Pennsylvania, it is likely that you already registered your business with the Pennsylvania Department of State and have registered for a sales tax license by completing the Department of Revenue's PA Online Business Entity Registration (PA-100).

Tips to Avoid This Scam

The Department of Revenue is encouraging Pennsylvanians to keep the following tips in mind to safeguard against this scam:

• Ensure You Are Speaking With Legitimate Representatives of the Department: This scam uses the Department of Revenue's name and logo to pose as a government entity. If you have any doubt at all about the legitimacy of a notice from the department, you should reach out to a department representative by using the Online Customer Service CenterOpens In A New Window. This allows the taxpayer to securely submit a question through a process that is very similar to sending an email.

• Examine the Notice: This counterfeit notice used vague language to cast a wide net to lure in as many victims as possible. Examine the notice for identifying information that can be verified. Look for blatant factual errors and other inconsistencies. If the notice is unexpected and demands immediate action, take a moment, and verify its legitimacy.

• Conduct Research Online: Use the information in a potentially counterfeit notice, such as a name, address or telephone number, to conduct a search online. The Department of Revenue's website, revenue.pa.gov, is the best source to verify information contained in a legitimate notice from the department. 

Steps To Follow if You Have a Question

If you are concerned about a potentially fraudulent notice, please visit the department's Verifying contact by the Department of Revenue webpage for verified phone numbers and contact information. This will help you ensure that you are speaking with a legitimate representative of the department.

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.”