Every holiday season, our teams at Plumas Bank in Truckee, Kings Beach, and Tahoe City see the same troubling pattern. As people get busier, fraud gets bolder. While we’re pulled in all sorts of directions between planning gatherings, shipping packages, and racing toward end-of-year goals, scammers are mapping out their own holiday to-do list.
I’ve lived in Truckee for 34 years, working alongside local business owners and neighbors who care deeply about this community. And I’ve seen how fraud can hurt — it disrupts lives, drains time, and erodes trust. As your community bank, Plumas Bank is here to help its clients and neighbors stay informed and empowered.
The good news is: You have tools and resources to stay a step ahead.
Why the Holidays Bring a Fraud Surge
The end of the year is prime time for scammers. Transaction volumes climb, attention splinters, and small businesses juggle more moving parts. Criminals know that checks are in the mail, invoices are flying, and debit cards are in constant use. They also know business owners are stretched thin. All of that creates opportunity.
In Tahoe/Truckee’s tight-knit business community, the ripple effects of fraud can be devastating.
Our senior vice president and risk management officer, Amber Marshall, and I talk about this often because the threats keep growing and shifting.
The Big Three: Fraud Types to Watch Closely
1. Check Fraud
This is the most common issue I see with local businesses. Checks are intercepted in the mail before they ever reach a vendor. Once stolen, they’re often sold online, copied, and multiplied. One intercepted check can lead to thousands of counterfeit versions.
When that happens, the clock moves fast. Liability shifts back to the business if counterfeit checks aren’t returned within 24 hours of posting. I’ve seen local companies face serious financial loss from a single piece of mail.
The safest path is to reduce or eliminate paper checks and use secure digital payment tools or ACH transfers.
2. Business Email Con
This scam is quiet and dangerous. Criminals hack or mimic legitimate email accounts, insert themselves into conversations between businesses and vendors, and divert payments without raising alarm.
Because the messages come through real-looking email chains and familiar names, the fraud can slip through until the money is already gone.
Small businesses are prime targets because they often have leaner security measures. A simple verification call can prevent a big loss; call the number for the vendor you have on file, never one from the email or text message. Trust your instincts and your banker if anything feels off.
3. Card Fraud and Social Engineering
Card fraud spikes during the holidays. Criminals use AI-driven BIN (bank identification number) attacks to crack card sequences. If fraudsters can figure out the first six numbers for a card issuer (bank), they run it through a program that guesses the rest of the numbers on the card, then make unauthorized transactions without ever touching the physical card.
Scammers also pose as banks, government agencies, or trusted companies. They lean on fear, urgency, or charm to get people to reveal personal information. Older adults are targeted most often, but anyone can be caught off guard.
Holiday Fraud Prevention: Moves That Work
Layered protection is your best defense. Here are practical steps that, taken together, help businesses and consumers shield themselves:
• Limit paper checks. Secure digital payment options close one of the biggest gaps. Whenever possible, do not send checks through the mail.
• Use Positive Pay. This Plumas Bank offering automates the monitoring of check and ACH transactions so suspicious items don’t slip through, allowing for efficient and thorough validation of payee information. Because fraudsters often exploit the holiday rush to sneak in altered or unauthorized payments, Positive Pay acts as a strong backstop.
• Call your banker. If an email, phone call, or check in the mail feels suspicious, call the number you know. Do not respond to suspicious emails or text messages, and don’t call the phone numbers they provide.
• Stay informed. Fraud tactics change fast, and awareness is your best defense.
• Report early. Even an unsuccessful attempt can be an early warning.
Consumers
All points covered above also pertain to consumers. Another tip: If using your debit card when shopping, be sure to use it as a credit transaction versus entering your pin number. Always be careful what websites you visit; enter the actual web address if you have it, rather than clicking on links that could be compromised.
Technology has made accessing your money very easy, but it is also just as easy to track that activity. Check your account daily to catch any potential fraud and report it to your bank immediately.
Community Education on the Horizon
Plumas Bank is constantly looking for new and engaging ways to help local residents and businesses stay informed, including upcoming fraud education seminars. These sessions will highlight real scams happening in our region, outline practical steps to prevent them, and explain what to do if you have been the victim of fraud.
Event details will be shared through Plumas Bank’s website, newsletter, and social media channels.
A Local Reminder
The holidays should bring neighbors together, and that’s something worth protecting.
Our local branches are part of this community. We know the people and the businesses here. We’re invested in keeping our neighbors safe.
From a consumer perspective, one of the most effective ways to cut the risk of fraudulent digital transactions is to shop in town and spend your holiday dollars with local businesses you know. In the Tahoe area, we are fortunate to have a wealth of options for holiday shopping. Plus, local spending keeps dollars in the community and reduces exposure to scams designed to skim payment information.
But we know you may still need to do business and shop online, so the bottom line is: If something feels off this season, trust your instincts and reach out.
Stay vigilant. Call your banker if anything seems fishy. Let’s make this holiday season safer for everyone.
