Alerts
July 23, 2010
NACHA Phishing Alert: Email claiming to be from NACHA reported
NACHA – The Electronic Payments Association has received reports that individuals and/or companies have received a fraudulent e-mail that has the appearance of having been sent from 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 Web page and contains a link which is almost certainly an executable virus with malware. Do not click on the link. Both the e-mail and the related website are fraudulent.
Be aware that phishing e-mails frequently have links 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.
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.
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.
June 8, 2010
Account Scam
We have received several reports regarding fraudulent calls to our customers. The call was from an automated system asking to re-activate your ATM/Debit Card and asking for an account number. Chesapeake Bank would not use an automated system to call our customers. We would not call our customers and ask them for their information.
If you have given someone your account information over the phone, please call us immediately at 877-257-7594.
May 12, 2010
Mail Forwarding Scam
Having mail stolen from your mailbox is among everyone’s greatest fears. It can leave one feeling completely violated and vulnerable. A recent article on the KRQE.com website highlights the fact that identity thieves are becoming environmentally and economically conscientious. Instead of wasting gas by making a trip to yours and others mailboxes, they simply have the postal service deliver your mail directly to them.
How It Works:
You may receive a notice from the U.S. Postal Service informing you that your mail is about to be forwarded to another location. The problem is that it wasn’t you that requested the forwarding change of address.
Identity thieves in New Mexico are now scanning residential phone books and choosing several random names and addresses. With this information, an identity thief will fill out a change of address form, just like the ones an individual who has moved would submit. If the attempt to forward your mail is successful, your mail will be directed to a new postal address, often out-of-state. Once the address has been successfully changed, fake documents such as driver’s licenses can be obtained, credit card information stolen, and other personally identifiable information gleaned. Often times this information is sold to illegal immigrants in attempts to establish legal residency and obtain jobs.
Your Defense:
When a Forwarding Change of Address Order Form is submitted, the U.S. Postal Service will send a confirmation notice informing you that your mail is about to be forwarded to your new address. If you receive one of these notices and did not request the change of address, contact your local U.S. Postal Service office immediately and notify them that the forwarding address in question is not yours, and that they should put a halt to the forwarding of any of your mail. Also, you should contact all companies that send regular scheduled bills or statements (e.g. banks/credit unions, credit card, auto loan, utility, phone, etc.). And of course, you should contact the local police and file a police report.
You will have 7 – 10 days from the time the change of address form was submitted before the forwarding takes effect. The quicker you act, the safer your mail will be.
Read more on the U.S. Postal Service Change of Address Frequently Asked Questions.
If you believe your identity has been stolen, call 866.SMART68 today.
