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8/31/2009 Warning about ATM Skimmers
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is warning
consumers to be on the outlook for automated teller machine scams. ATMs have become
a widespread part of commerce and can be found just about anywhere today. Unfortunately,
organized criminals have found ways to steal and distort consumer financial information.
One method of scamming consumers is referred to as ATM skimming. ATM skimmers are
devices that criminals install on ATM machines that steal unsuspecting consumers
ATM account information. In addition, a small camera is installed in the skimmer
or at another location near the ATM to capture the consumers PIN number. Once the
information is captured, criminals are then able to make up their own ATM cards
along with their associated PIN. Following are tips that consumers can follow to
help protect themselves from ATM skimmers:
1. Observe the ATM you are using, don’t
use the ATM if you see something that looks out of the ordinary such as wiring or
an odd looking device.
2. Use the same ATM as much as possible. If you do this you
will be familiar with the ATM and be able to spot if someone has installed a device
or tampered with the machine.
3. Be cautious if you see signs or stickers on the
ATM that instruct you to “scan here first” or “no tampering”. These are generally
placed on the machine by the ATM thieves to divert your attention from the new piece
of equipment.
4. Do not use the machine if someone offers to help you with it. Criminals
who install skimmers will often pose as another customer or technician working on
the machine to assist users with their transactions.
5. Be wary of a jammed ATM
machine that forces customers to use another ATM that has a skimmer attached to
it.
6. You should always protect your PIN by not writing it down or giving it to
anyone. Always cover the keypad while entering your PIN and never allow people to
look over your shoulder while entering your PIN.
7. Use ATM machines where video
cameras are installed. Criminals are less likely to install skimmers at such locations.
8. Consumers should monitor their account activity via monthly transaction statements
or the Web and report any abnormal activity to their financial institution as soon
as possible. Report unauthorized transactions or a lost card as soon as possible
to obtain protection under the law.
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Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves
and Electronic Scams
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today
released an
on-line multimedia education tool
that consumers can use to learn how to better protect
their computers and themselves from identity thieves. The presentation also features
actions consumers can take if their personal information has been compromised. Identity
theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, and
has ranked as one of the top consumer concerns for the past several years. Identity
theft is evolving in more complicated ways that make it harder for consumers to
protect themselves, and easier for criminals to set up virtual storefronts on the
Internet to sell confidential personal information.
Some of the steps outlined in the presentation that consumers can take to help safeguard
their computers and their personal information from identity theft are: never provide
personal information in response to an unsolicited telephone or Internet request;
never provide a password over the phone or in response to an unsolicited Internet
request; review account statements regularly to ensure all charges and transactions
are correct; and use a firewall and anti-virus and spyware protection software.
One of the more frustrating aspects if identity theft occurs is restoring your good
name and credit. If consumers either suspect that their personal information has
been compromised, or have been victimized by identity thieves, they should: contact
the fraud department at one of the three major credit bureaus and ask that a fraud
alert be placed in their file at all three companies; review their credit reports
periodically and carefully and look for inconsistencies or red flags such as accounts
they didn't open; debts they can't explain or inquiries from companies they haven't
contacted, contact the companies where the fraudulent activity occurred, and follow
up any telephone calls in writing; file a police report with local police or the
police department in the community where the crime took place and keep a copy of
the report; and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
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FDIC Warning E-mail Scam
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Click to View a Multimedia Presentation from The FDIC to learn how to better protect yourself from identity theft.
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The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has been
notified that consumers have received e-mails that appear to the reader to be related
to banking activities. The fraudulent e-mails request that the recipients respond
to a notice from their bank to confirm an online payment to be made for products
purchased. The link contained within the e-mail serves as a gateway to the fraudulent
Web site. The fraudulent Web site is designed to look like a page from the FDIC's
authentic Web page, where the individual is then directed to provide sensitive financial
and personal information, such as bank or credit card account numbers.
The use of this type of e-mail scam, seeking to obtain sensitive information from
individuals, is referred to as "phishing." The FDIC provides information on its
Web site that explains more about phishing and other types of fraudulent activity
targeting consumers at
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/alerts/index.html
The information on this site also provides consumers with tips on protecting personal
information from these types of scams.
This alert is intended to warn consumers that the fraudulent e-mail, which could
also possibly contain a computer virus, was not sent by the FDIC. Financial institutions
and consumers are warned NOT to access the link or submit personal information through
this site. Additionally, as a reminder to all consumers, the FDIC strongly recommends
that individuals safeguard personal information and refrain from responding to any
unsolicited request for personal information.
The FDIC was established by Congress in 1933 to maintain
stability and public confidence in the nation's financial system.
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Brickyard Bank
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Third party web sites may have privacy and security policies different from Brickyard Bank. Links to other web sites do not imply the endorsement or approval of such web sites. Please review the privacy and security policies of web sites reached through links from Brickyard Banks web sites. |
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 Please be advised that Brickyard Bank does not ask for your personal, financial, or account information via email or pop-up window. If you receive an email or pop-up requesting such information, please do not respond and never click on a link contained in a suspicious email. If you suspect you're a victim of Identity Theft, report the fraud immediately.
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