What we are doing

Katahdin Trust has been meticulous in cleaning and sanitization efforts focused on limiting opportunities for exposure. Here are some of the steps we are taking:

• Hand sanitizer will be available at every station. 
• Pens will be single use only.
• Disinfectant will be used to clean stations between customers.
• Plexiglass has been installed at each transaction station.
• Tickets and lobby materials have been removed. Branch employees would be happy to provide these materials should you request them.

What You Can Do

Our walk-up or drive-up windows are open during regular business hours.  As an alternative to in-person banking, we recommend that you use our digital services. Online banking allows you to perform a variety of transactions including obtaining account balances, reviewing transactions, paying bills, and sending money to family and friends. You can also deposit checks through our personal or business mobile app. Easy Phone Banking allows you to access account information, transfer money, and make loan payments from any touch-tone telephone. Katahdin Trust ATMs will remain available 24/7 to withdraw cash or make deposits.

If you need to open a personal checking or savings account or apply for a home loan, we are ready to serve you at katahdintrust.com.

Be Aware of Scams

Katahdin Trust will NEVER call, text, or send emails asking you to provide sensitive banking information. Never give out your social security number, account number, online banking username, or password over the phone unless you initiate the call to a phone number that you know is legitimate. If you suspect you have been the victim of fraud, please contact us immediately.

Common Scams

• Phishing and supply scams. Scammers impersonate health organizations and businesses to gather personal and financial information or sell fake test kits, supplies, vaccines or cures for COVID-19.
• Charity scams. Fraudsters seek donations for illegitimate or non-existent organizations.
• Investment scams. Often styled as “research reports,” claiming that products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19.
• Provider scams. Scammers impersonate doctors and hospital staff and contact victims claiming to have treated a relative or friend for COVID-19 and demand payment for treatment.
• Bank/FDIC scams. Scammers impersonate FDIC or bank employees and falsely claim that banks are limiting access to deposits or that there are security issues with bank deposits.
• Stimulus check or economic relief scams. The government will NOT ask for a fee to receive the stimulus funds, nor will they ask for your personal or account information.
• Delivery of malware. Through “virus-tracking apps” or sensationalized news reports.

10 Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim

1. Watch out for phishing scams. Phishing scams use fraudulent emails, texts, phone calls and websites to trick users into disclosing private account or login information. Do not click on links or open any attachments or pop-up screens from sources you are not familiar with, and NEVER give your password, account number or PIN to anyone.
2. Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure or treatment. If there is a medical breakthrough, it wouldn’t be reported through unsolicited emails or online ads.
3. Rely on official sources for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and your state’s health department websites to keep track of the latest developments.
4. Remember that the safest place for your money is in the bank. It’s physically secure and it’s federally insured. When you deposit your money at a bank, you get the comfort of knowing that your funds are secure and insured by the government. You don’t have the same level of protection when your money is outside the banking system.
5. Do some research before making a donation. Be wary of any business, charity or individual requesting COVID-19-related payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card or through the mail.
6. Keep your computers and mobile devices up to date. Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware and other online threats. Turn on automatic updates so you receive the newest fixes as they become available.
7. Recognize and avoid bogus website links. Cybercriminals embed malicious links to download malware onto devices or route users to bogus websites. Hover over suspicious links to view the actual URL that you are being routed to. Fraudulent links are often disguised by simple changes in the URL. For example: www.ABC-Bank.com vs ABC_Bank.com.
8. Change your security settings to enable multi-factor authentication for accounts that support it. Multi-factor authentication—or MFA—is a second step to verify who you are, like a text with a code.
9. Before you make any investments, remember that there is a high potential for fraud right now. You should be wary of any company claiming the ability to prevent, detect or cure coronavirus. For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website.
10. Help others by reporting coronavirus scams. Visit the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov to report suspected or confirmed scams. You can also stay up-to-date on the latest scams by visiting the FTC’s coronavirus page at ftc.gov/coronavirus.

For more information and FAQ’s on the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or World Health Organization.

What is the Paycheck Protection Program?

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) helps small businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis. The SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Loan payments will be deferred for six months.

 The deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan is August 8, 2020.