April 6, 2020: ATMs Exempt from Gov. Kemp's PIN-Pad Suspension

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently provided guidance to retailers regarding the suspension of PIN-pad usage in a continued effort to fight the spread of COVID-19.

ATMs, however, are exempt from the aforementioned PIN-pad suspension, with extra sanitary precautions expected to be taken to ensure the cleanliness of ATMs. 

Rest assured Greater Community Bank is making every effort to keep you safe and healthy while you continue to utilize our deposit-taking ATMs. We will continue to regularly sanitize our ATMs and we strongly encourage users to also sanitize your hands before and after using our ATMs. 

To read more about Gov. Kemp's statement regarding PIN-pad usage, please visit: https://www.wrdw.com/content/news/Gov-Kemp-Issues-Guidance-for-Retailers-Consumers-Amid-COVID-19-569393631.html

April 1, 2020:

At this time, we are experiencing higher than normal call volumes, and our wait times and return call times are longer than usual. Thank you for your understanding as we address your needs. If your call is not urgent, please consider calling back at a later time or, if possible, use GreaterCB.com, Telephone Banking 706.295.9300, or check our deposit-taking ATMs for balance and other account information.

April 1, 2020: Attention SBA-504 Borrowers

Late last night we were informed that due to the provisions in the CARES Act SBA will NOT automatically bank draft any SBA-504 borrowers scheduled April 1st payment from their checking account today 

The CARES Act is scheduled to pay the principal, interest, and fees due on all SBA-504 loans starting with the April 1st payment and continuing through the September 1st payment.

As the SBA awaits the implementation of this from the U.S. Treasury as to the exact procedures on how those payments will transferred and paid on the borrowers behalf for this six month period, they wanted to take this first step in this process and stop the payment debits for April. 

The payment of the SBA-504 payment over the next six months only covers the SBA-504 payment and does not cover the first mortgage loans you have with us.

March 26, 2020: Tips to Avoid Coronavirus Scams and Protect Your Money

The American Bankers Association® has published the following regarding potential fraud, and how to help avoid it, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic:

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.
  • Stimulus check or economic relief scams: There are reports that the government will help to ease the economic impact of the virus by sending money by check or direct deposit. However, the government will NOT ask for a fee to receive the funds, nor will they ask for your personal or account information.
  • Charity scams: Fraudsters seek donations for illegitimate or non-existent organizations.
  • Delivery of malware through “virus-tracking apps” or sensationalized news reports.
  • Provider scams: Scammers impersonate doctors and hospital staff and contact victim 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.
  • Investment scams often styled as “research reports,” claiming that products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19.

10 Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim

• 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.
• 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 www.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.

You can also access this article by clicking here.

March 25, 2020: Medicare Beneficiaries Now At Risk for Potential Fraud

As if the COVID-19 pandemic weren't bad enough already, fraudsters are now beginning to take advantage of the situation to target Medicare beneficiaries.

We invite you to join our Greater Community Bank "Fraud Squad" by keeping an eye out for suspected fraud which may occur during these trying times, as well as continuing to remain cautious.

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has released a fraud alert warning... Medicare beneficiaries are being targeted through telemarketing, social media, and even door-to-door by fraudsters claiming to offer COVID-19 tests. 

Here's how you can help protect yourself and those around you from potential fraud: 

• Be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal information, such as your Medicare number
• Be suspicious of unsolicited offers of COVID-19 tests or supplies
• Ignore offers on social media of COVID-19 tests or treatment; and
• Only a physician or other qualified health care provider should recommend or approve requests for COVID-19 testing

If you suspect fraud, please notify the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or [email protected]

For additional information please visit: OIG.HHS.gov

March 24, 2020: Our Drive-Thru is Open for Service

With new ordinances being set, please remember Greater Community Bank is still considered an essential business and will continue to provide service through our drive-thru at our Rome and Calhoun locations.

Greater Community Bank, as a financial institutuion, is designated an essential service and will continue to serve our customers during the period of the Georgia stay-at-home advisory.

As a reminder, banking services may be conducted with us through our drive-thru, at an ATM, or via online and mobile banking.

March 23, 2020: SBA Disaster Relief Assistance Now Available

BIG news for SMALL business owners...

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Georgia small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19.

These loans can provide vital economic support to help small businesses overcome the temporary loss of revneue they may be experiencing.

Got questions? We've got answers.

March 17, 2020: Changes to Debit Card Limits

March 16, 2020: Account Access during COVID-19 

At Greater Community Bank the health and well-being of our customers, staff and community is our top priority. We understand the concern and uncertainty you may be experiencing surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are committed to being responsive to the needs of our customers and staff as the situation evolves.
 
We strongly encourage you to use our online and mobile banking platforms for quick and easy 24/7 account access. From there, you can make payments, view transactions, check balances, find a nearby deposit-taking ATM and more. It’s easier and faster (in most cases) to manage your account digitally, especially given call wait times may be longer than usual. Members are able to:
·        Deposit checks using the mobile app
·        Pay bills using bill pay
·        Apply for loans and credit cards
·        Check your balances
·        Make payments on your loans
·        Transfer funds
·        Sign up for or retrieve e-statements
 
If you haven’t enrolled in online and mobile access, it only takes a few minutes. Enroll now.
 
For person-to-person needs, such as access to safety deposit boxes, please contact us directly at 706.295.9300. 

As always, the health, safety and well-being of our customers, staff and community is our chief concern. We continue to monitor this quickly evolving situation and are here to assist you as needed.For additional information about COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov.