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| Consumer Protection and Security Alerts |
On February 15, 2012 in a Consumer Alert, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) advised that it has received numerous reports of a fraudulent e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from FDIC.
While the messages exhibit variations in the "From" and "Subject" lines, the content is similar.
The e-mail states, "Your ACH and Wire transaction abilities have been temporarily withhold for your security, because your security version expired. As soon as you have installed it, your account transactions will be completely reinstated."
A link is provided to a website that supposedly provides an update.
This e-mail and link are fraudulent. Recipients should consider this to be an attempt to collect personal or confidential information or to load malicious software. Recipients should not click on the link provided.
FDIC does not send unsolicited e-mail to consumers or business account holders.
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/alerts/index.html
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports of fraudulent
e-mails that have the appearance of being from the FDIC.
The e-mails appear to be sent from various “@fdic.gov” e-mail addresses, such as
“subscriptions@fdic.gov,” “alert@fdic.gov,” or “accounts@fdic.gov.”
They have subject lines that read: “FDIC: Your business account” or “FDIC: About Your
Business Account.”
The e-mails are addressed to “Business Customer” or “Business Owner” and state “We have
important information about your bank” or “…financial institution.” They then ask recipients to
“Please click here to find details.”
They conclude with, “This includes information on the acquiring bank (if applicable), how your
accounts and loans are affected, and how vendors can file claims against the receivership.”
These e-mails and the link included are fraudulent and were not sent by the FDIC. Recipients
should consider the intent of these e-mails as an attempt to collect personal or confidential
information, or to load malicious software onto end users’ computers. Recipients should NOT
access the link provided within the body of the e-mails and should NOT, under any
circumstances, provide any personal financial information through this media.
Financial institutions and consumers should be aware that other subject lines and modifications
to the e-mails may occur over time. The FDIC does not directly contact consumers in this
manner nor does the FDIC request personal financial information from consumers.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC’s Website at
www.fdic.gov/news/news/Special Alert/2011/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive
FDIC Special Alerts through email, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.
Questions related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the
FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.
NACHA continues to receive reports that individuals and/or companies have received a fraudulent e-mail that has the appearance of having been sent from NACHA. These emails vary in content and format, and appear to be transmitted from email addresses associated with the NACHA domain (@nacha.org). Some bear the name of fictitious NACHA employees and/or departments.
NACHA itself does not process nor touch the ACH transactions that flow to and from organizations and financial institutions. NACHA does not send communications to individuals or organizations about individual ACH transactions that they originate or receive. NACHA has requested that you please forward fraudulent emails claiming to be from NACHA to abuse@nacha.org.
Another phishing attempt has surfaced that spoofs the Federal Reserve Bank as the sender. Like the emails purporting to be from NACHA, these emails claim that a recently-initiated transaction (in this case, a wire transfer), was cancelled. These emails have the appearance of being sent from "fedwire" at the Federal Reserve Bank.
The links in these fraudulent emails are directed to web pages that host malicious code and software. Do not follow web links in unsolicited e-mails from unknown parties or from parties with whom you do not normally communicate, or that appear to be known but are suspicious or otherwise unusual.
If malicious code is detected or suspected on a computer, consult with a computer security or anti-virus specialist to remove malicious code or re-install a clean image of the computer system. Always use anti-virus software and ensure that the virus signatures are automatically updated. Ensure that the computer operating systems and common software applications security patches are installed and current.
Be alert for different variations of fraudulent e-mails.
Dear Cardholder:
In order to protect your account and reduce potential debit card fraud, we have made changes that may affect some types of transactions that you have routinely completed in the past.
- For purchases made at an automated fuel dispenser (gas pump) we suggest that you input your PIN number. This will reduce the risk of a common type of fraud where a card is “skimmed” (copied when used for a legitimate purchase), “counterfeited” (a duplicate card is produced), and used at self-service gas pumps. Entering a PIN will make these frauds at unsupervised gas pumps more difficult.
- Please let us know when you plan to use your debit card for international purchases. In those cases, we will need to allow transactions in the specific countries you will be visiting. Internationally, debit card fraud is prevalent. Call us at 941-306-0100, toll free at 1-866-229-2112, or email us at customerservice@gatewaybankswfl.com
- Please inform us promptly of any change of address. Our security protocols will compare the proximity of the merchant location to your address when considering whether a transaction is possibly fraudulent.
- You may receive an automated call asking you to confirm whether a particular transaction is legitimate and authorized. This is your assurance that your accounts are being actively protected.
These changes should enhance the security of your debit card with minimal inconvenience to you. We always appreciate your feedback; if you have any questions or comments, please call us at 941-306-0100, toll free at 1-866-229-2112, or email us at customerservice@gatewaybankswfl.com. Thank you.
The FDIC has issued a special alert to warn consumers about an e-mail scam that uses the alleged suspension of consumers' deposit insurance coverage as a ploy to obtain personal information. The e-mail -- purportedly from the FDIC -- informs recipients that "in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, federal, state and local governments," the FDIC has withdrawn deposit insurance coverage from their account "due to account activity that violates the Patriot Act."
It then says the deposit insurance coverage will remain suspended until identity and account information can be verified using a system called "IDVerify." The FDIC is attempting to identify the e-mails' source and disrupt their transmission, officials said.
ReadMore.
Identity theft is defined as the crime of obtaining the personal or financial information of another person for the sole purpose of assuming that person's name or identity in order to make transactions (including opening bank accounts) or purchases.
Identity theft is committed many different ways. Some identity thieves sift though trash bins looking for bank
account and credit card statements; other more high-tech methods involve accessing corporate databases to steal
lists of client information.
Once they have the information they are looking for, identity thieves can ruin a person's credit rating and the
standing of other personal information. Many types of identity theft can be prevented. One way is to continually
check the accuracy of personal documents and promptly deal with any discrepancies.
*** Always shred all documents containing identifying information, not only your bank and credit card statements, but also your utility bills.
*** Keep copies of all drivers' licenses, credit cards, bank details, and so on as well as the number you
will need to call when you have any of these lost or stolen. That way you can have these numbers handy if anything happens and the cards may be stopped.
*** When traveling, have all important cards and documents photocopied. If you are travelling with
someone else, ask them to carry these photocopies with them, and vice versa. This way if anything happens to your personal belongings, your companion will have the copies.
*** Make sure that no one can have access to your mail. This may mean locking your mailbox but it has
been shown that unprotected mailboxes account for about 8% of identity theft. The U.S. Post Office can hold your mail while you're on vacation.
*** Check any bank or credit card accounts each time you receive a statement. It will be easier to keep
track of what you have spent and will help you identify if anyone is using your account. If you have
online access, check it frequently. If at any time you notice any discrepancies between your
statements and your other records, please notify us immediately.
*** Don't make your passwords easy to guess. Try adding numbers and make the letters a mixture of
capitals and lower case to make it more difficult for anyone to get right. Periodically change your passwords.
*** Never provide personal financial information or account numbers to anyone without knowing or
confirming the person's identification and the reason for the inquiry. The IRS and the FDIC never ask for these numbers.
*** Every year, order a copy of your credit report to review the information for possible fraud. You're
entitled to a free credit report annually from each of the main credit-reporting bureaus:
Equifax® www.equifax.com 1-800-685-1111
Experian® www.experian.com 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
TransUnion® www.transunion.com 1-800-888-4213
Free Deluxe ID TheftBlock® is included with every Gateway Bank personal checking and
money market account.
As issuers of Automated Teller Machine access devices and providers of Night Depository services, we are providing for your information a list of safety precautions regarding the use of ATMs and Night Depositories.
OBSERVE THE SURROUNDINGS: Before approaching any automated teller machine (ATM) or night depository (ND), particularly at night, be alert for any suspicious persons or circumstances. Should you observe suspicious persons or circumstances or otherwise feel uneasy or uncomfortable with your surroundings, leave the area immediately – do not use the ATM or ND. Come back at a later or more appropriate time or use an ATM at another location. Report any suspicious persons to law enforcement authorities.
BE READY TO TRANSACT YOUR BUSINESS: Before approaching any ATM or ND, have your access card and any other paperwork necessary for your particular transaction(s) ready and in your hand. Having to retrieve these items from a purse, wallet or other carrying device is time consuming and allows a potential thief easier access to your valuables. By being ready to transact your business before approaching the ATM or ND, your transaction(s) becomes quicker and safer.
REMAIN OBSERVANT WHILE USING THE ATM OR ND: While transacting business at the ATM or ND, continue to observe your personal surroundings. Be careful not to disclose or otherwise reveal your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to others while using the ATM. Never begin a transaction when strangers have a clear view of the ATM keyboard. Use your body to shield the ATM keyboard as you access the machine. You should check your surroundings every few seconds while actually using the ATM or ND. Should you observe any suspicious persons or circumstances, terminate your transaction(s) immediately, leave the area, and contact law enforcement.
LEAVE QUICKLY: Upon completing your transaction(s), retrieve your card and your receipt, and immediately leave the ATM or ND area. Do not count or otherwise visually expose any money received from the ATM. Pocket any cash as soon as the transaction is complete. Count the cash later in the safety of our car or home. Continue to observe your surroundings for any suspicious persons or circumstances, such as anyone following or approaching you. Always maintain a safe distance between you and any stranger. If you believe that you are being followed, you should go to the nearest place where there are people and contact law enforcement.
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS:
- As an alternative to using an ATM to withdraw cash, consider using your ATM card at a convenience or grocery store – making a small purchase and obtaining additional cash back. Always review your receipt to make sure you received the correct amount of cash.
- Remember: There is safety in numbers. Whenever possible, have another person you know well, accompany you when transacting business at an ATM or ND.
- Beware of strangers needing or offering help with a transaction at the ATM.
- If the ATM or ND appears to have been tampered with, do not use it to transact your business.
- Beware of ATM scams publicized in newspapers or on television newscasts.
- Select a PIN that is easy for you to remember, but avoid using the last four digits of your Social Security Number or telephone number as these are easy for others to guess.
- Do not write your PIN on your ATM card.
- Memorize your PIN and do not share it with anyone.
- If you write your PIN down, do not keep the written PIN with your ATM card.
- Keep possession of your ATM card at all times.
REPORT A LOST OR STOLEN ATM CARD IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING 1-941-306-0100 DURING BUSINESS HOURS. AFTER HOURS OR HOLIDAYS, CALL 1-800-554-8969.
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