With the government unveiling its sweeping new student loan forgiveness plan, millions of Americans are going to be looking for a piece of the debt relief package. This is the ideal setting for scammers to swoop in and take advantage of people's eagerness, tricking them into giving up sensitive personal and financial information.

You may be asking yourself "what do I have to do to claim this student loan relief?" You can read the full statement from the White House about the loan forgiveness program here https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/

Before you click any email links or enter personal information into unfamiliar websites claiming to be official government pages, here are some tips to keep yourself ahead of the scammers trying to steal your identity.

Subscribe to official email updates from the Department of Education. As part of their announcement of the debt relief plan, the White House has set up a website where you can register to be notified when the loan forgiveness process officially opens. If you are seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness, visit PLSF.gov to learn more and apply.

Never click on links from unexpected emails. If you haven't signed up for official updates from the Department of Education and you receive an official-looking email regarding student debt relief, don't reply or open any attachments. Before clicking any links, mouse over the link to see if the address pop-up contains a legitimate .gov URL.

Don't email personal and/or financial information. Email systems are not encrypted; therefore, emails should not contain confidential information. If you are asked to visit a website to provide personal or financial information, you should instead visit https://studentaid.gov/ to confirm the loan forgiveness process is officially open; this is the official website of the debt relief program and any application process will be located here.

Don't be fooled by urgent requests. The government will provide a very clear timeline well in advance of any cutoff date for applications. If you receive an email emphasizing the urgency of filling out an application and/or submitting information, this is most likely a scammer trying to take advantage of you.

Ignore anyone asking for money in exchange for debt relief. The government's debt relief program is entirely funded by taxpayers and will not require you to send money to anyone.

If you think you or someone you know have been the target of a scam, you should contact your financial institution as well as contact the FTC.

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.”

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.