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Consumer Alerts

 

The Stephenson National Bank & Trust feels that it is important to alert the community to scams and fraudulent activity. Awareness is the key to avoiding being victimized by these types of crimes.

 

Any legitimate financial institution will NEVER ask you to verify your account information. Remember, keep any your personal information such as Social Security number and credit card number in a safe location.

 

Recent Fraudulent Activity in our Community:

July 2010: Individuals and companies have reported receiving an e-mail that appears to be from the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA). The subject line of the e-mail states "Unauthorized ACH Transaction". The e-mail includes a link that redirects the individual to a fake webpage and contains a line that is very likely an executable virus with malware. DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK . Both the e-mail and the related website are fraudulent.

A customer came to us recently with two letters from Mystery Shopping companies. Enclosed with each letter was a check made out to the customer for $3000 - $4000. The letter directs the customer to deposit the check into their account, purchase some items, then send money back to the company via Western Union or other money service. These are scams. Do Not Cash or Deposit the Checks.

June 2010: We have been notified of an e-mail scam resurfacing. The subject of the e-mail is “Notice of Underreported Income” and should not be opened, nor should any links provided in the e-mail be followed. Doing so would launch a malicious virus which is capable of stealing passwords to private information. Click here to read a Security Blog on the subject.

April 2010: It has come to our attention that there is a fake e-mail that claims to be from snbt.com telling the recipients to run a file and follow instructions. We did not send the e-mail, it is fake. Please Note: We will never send an e-mail asking our customers to verify their account or that their account has been accessed by someone else. Please use caution when clicking on e-mailed links.

= = = = = Sample fake e-mail = = = = = =

From: snbt.com support [mailto:noahrg1535@ralpert.com]

Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 12:14 AM

To: sample

Subject: snbt.com account notification

    Dear Customer,

    This e-mail was send by snbt.com to notify you that we have temporanly prevented access to your account.

    We have reasons to beleive that your account may have been accessed by someone else. Please run this file and Follow instructions:

    http://linkremoved.

    (C) snbt.com

March 2010: Automated calls were received stating that a person's Debit Card has been deactivated due to a breach of security. If you receive a call, Do Not press 1 and Do Not enter your Debit Card number, hang up immediately.

November 2009: A Phishing Alert originated from WACHA and NACHA, The Electronic Payments Associations. It appears that individuals and/or companies may have received a falsified e-mail with the subject title "Rejected ACH Transaction". The e-mails appear to be from WACHA or NACHA and indicate that there is a problem with an ACH transaction they have originated. The e-mail includes a link that redirects the individual to a fake web page which appears to be either the WACHA or NACHA website. The link is very likely an executable virus with malware. These emails did not originate from either agency and the website is not valid. Do not click on the link.

Below is a sample of the falsified e-mail that was sent.

= = = = = Sample NACHA e-mail = = = = = =

      From: nacha.org [mailto:report@nacha.org]
      Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 10:25 AM
      To: Doe, John
      Subject: Rejected ACH transaction, please review the transaction report

      Dear bank account holder,

      The ACH transaction, recently initiated from your bank account, was rejected
      by the Electronic Payments Association. Please review the transaction report
      by clicking the link below:

      Unauthorized ACH Transaction Report   [This is the how the link displays.]

      ------------------------------------------------------------------

      Copyright ©2009 by NACHA - The Electronic Payments Association

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

September 2009: Cell phone texting scams, called SMiShing, happen when a scammer tries to obtain a person's Credit or Debit card PIN by texting a message appearing to be from a bank, credit union, or credit card company. The text reads that a card has been deactivated or blocked, then a phony phone number is given. Fraud occurs when the cardholder contacts the telephone number referenced in the message and provides their PIN. Example:

     sms.alert@visa.com/VISA. (Card Blocked) Alert.

     For more information please call 1-877-269-XXXX.

April 2009: An e-mail scam has been circulating in which recipients are asked to provide their Century Tel e-mail address, password, age, country and date of birth. This e-mail was not sent by Century Tel and it bears all the earmarks of a scam.

April 2009: Letters are e-mailed notifying the recipient that they have a large inheritance waiting for them in a foreign country.   Example of Fraudulent Letter

 

 

Personal information that you should never release in a conversation that you did not initiate includes… 

 

 

1. Bank Account Numbers

 

 

2. Credit or Debit Card Numbers

 

 

3. Personal Identification Number (PIN)

 

 

4. Social Security Number

 

 

5. Bank Online Access ID or Password

 

 

Consumer Fraud Information

 

Identity Theft is a generic term that covers a number of possible loss situations including purse/wallet snatch, mail theft, insider sources, imposters, spy ware, phishing scams, account takeover (using account information to commit a fraud), full-blown identity theft (an imposter obtains personal information about the victim and “takes over” their identity in another location, normally another state), and data compromise.

 

Check fraud is another problem which utilizes internet auctions, sweepstakes or lottery scams, false charities or chat rooms to trick consumers into depositing counterfeit cashier’s checks and money orders with instructions to send funds back to someone, either the remitter or another person involved with the scam.  When the check is returned to the bank as counterfeit, the consumer is legally responsible for restitution.

 

Education is the best way to protect you from these types of thefts.  Arm yourself with as much information and knowledge about what avenues these thieves are taking to get your money or your identity.  Many government agencies websites provide information on various frauds and identity theft to educate consumers on how to protect themselves.   They also provide information and instructions on what to do if you’ve been victimized including reporting the incident to them.  This is helpful in compiling statistics and the sharing of information may lead to identifying the perpetrators of these crimes. 

 
 

DebitFacts.org

 

You Have the Power to Stop Identity Theft

 

Tips to Protect Your Identity

 

Fraudulent Telephone Schemes

 

Identity Theft & Fraud

 

Phishing              Vishing

 

Suggested websites are:

 

www.idtheft.gov                               Resources from the government

www.annualcreditreport.com            Obtain your free credit report           

www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com      FBI & US Postal Inspection Service    

www.onguardonline.gov                   Federal Trade Commission, Homeland Security, Office of Justice Programs, US Postal Inspection, Dept of Commerce, Securities & Exchange Commission

www.fdic.gov/consumers                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC)          

www.ftc.gov/consumer                     Federal Trade Commission (FTC)                   

http://www.privacy.wi.gov/               WI Office of Privacy Protection

http://www.ic3.gov/                          Internet Crime Complaint Center  

 

 


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Last Updated:  September 3, 2010