Fraud Alert

New e-mail scam:

We have learned that criminals have launched a major e-mail campaign to deploy the infamous ZeuS Trojan e-mail, which will send spam messages disguised as fraud alerts from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Twitter account hijack warnings, or salacious Youtube.com videos.

The fraudulent IRS e-mail uses the verbiage "Notice of Underreported Income" as the Subject Line and encourages the recipient to click a hyperlink to review their tax statement. All of the latest e-mails use a variety of URL shortening services.

To help protect against fraudulent activity, Security Bank continues to strongly recommend that you review your Internet security procedures including, but not limited to:

• Ensure that up-to-date antivirus, antispam and antispyware programs are being used.

• Prevention of keylogger, spyware, and phishing attempts with up-to-date programs.

• Use common sense and do not open the attachments or download information from unexpected or spam e-mails.

Remember, we will never ask for account information, Login ID, or password in e-mail. Help protect yourself against online fraud by taking the precautions listed above.

SMISHING

Overview

"Smishing" is the sending of text messages to cell phones to solicit personal information. The term mixes "SMS," Short Message Service technology that is used to send text messages to cell phones, with "phishing," a scheme identity thieves use to send legitimate-appearing emails to obtain personal account information. In a banking context, SMS text messages often appear to come from the victim's own financial institution and may indicate that his or her ATM card is being deactivated or has expired. The text asks the recipient to contact a phone number to reactivate the card and provide his card number, PIN and the three-digit security code. This stolen information is then used to withdraw funds from the customer's account. Smishing also can be used to send messages that include a URL, which, if activated by the victim, downloads malicious software that could allow a phone with Internet capabilities to be controlled by hackers.

While smishing has been around for several years, it has resurfaced as yet another means to commit identity theft. Being mindful of requests for personal information of any type -- and not providing it -- except to legitimate companies that have a verification process is a way to protect yourself.

We will never ask for account information, Login ID, or password in e-mail or a text message on your cell phone. Help protect yourself against online fraud -- if you receive an e-mail or text message asking for such confidential information, follow these steps:

  • Do not respond to the e-mail or text message.
  • Contact us immediately at (217) 789-3500.

E-MAIL FRAUD

Identity thieves are using high-tech scams that typically involves e-mail spam to deceive consumers into disclosing their personal or financial information, such as credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, and other sensitive information. The practice is commonly referred to as "Phishing" or "Carding."

We will never ask for account information, Login ID, or password in e-mail. Help protect yourself against online fraud -- if you receive an e-mail asking for such confidential information, follow these steps:

  • Do not respond to the e-mail.
  • Contact us immediately at (217) 789-3500.

We may ask you to forward a copy of the e-mail. The e-mail may be useful in identifying the culprit and help us to minimize the impact of the message on other customers

FDIC E-MAIL FRAUD

Emails to individuals fraudulently claim to be from the FDIC. These emails falsely claim that the FDIC has collaborated with credit card providers to develop a secure online transaction network.

TELEPHONE FRAUD INVOLVING JURY DUTY

The FBI s providing a warning to the public against an ongoing scheme involving jury service. The public needs to be aware that individuals identifying themselves as U.S. court employees have been telephonically contacting citizens and advising them that they have been selected for jury duty. These individuals ask to verify names and Social Security numbers, then ask for credit card numbers. If the request is refused, citizens are then threatened with fines.

The judicial system does not contact people telephonically and ask for personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or credit card numbers. If you receive one of these phone calls, do not provide any personal or confidential information to these individuals. This is an attempt to steal or to use your identity by obtaining your name, Social Security number, and potentially to apply for credit or credit cards or other loans in your name. It is an attempt to defraud you.

If you have already been contacted and have already given out your personal information, please monitor your account statements and credit reports, and contact your local FBI office. Local FBI field office telephone numbers can be found in the front of your local telephone directory or on www.fbi.gov. For further information, please review the warnings posted on the U.S. Courts website at www.uscourts.gov, "Newsroom" news article "WARNING: Bogus Phone Calls on Jury Service May lead to Fraud," August 19, 2005.

Other Fraud Information and Links: