March 18, 2010 - In the surging wake of fraudulent ACH and wire transactions - and subsequent lawsuits -- government and private security entities have issued a new cybersecurity advisory offering tips to businesses and financial institutions.
The alert, entitled "Information and Recommendations Regarding Unauthorized Wire Transfers Relating to Compromised Cyber Networks" was issued jointly on March 12 by the U.S. Department of Justice, the New York State Intelligence Center, New York State Police, the New York State Office of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service, the Multi-State ISAC and the Financial Services ISAC. To view the report:
http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=2298
February 4, 2010 - There have been reports from 5 banks in 4 states on fraudulent attempts to obtain customers vital information via phonecalls impersonating bank employees and also recorded messages. Please be advised that Seneca Federal nor any other financial institution would ever call you for any vital information. You can read the entire report at http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=2138
December 1, 2009 - The FDIC has a Consumer Alerts section on their website to help educate consumers on the latest threats and scams. It is located on the FDICfs website at http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/alerts/index.html.
Onguard Online - Provides practical tips from the federal governement and the technology industry to help you be on guard against interent fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information http://www.onguardonline.gov/,
Safe Shopping Tips For The Holiday Season -
According to statistics compiled by
http://www.identitytheft911.com/,, two to four identity theft crimes are reported every hour of the winter holiday shopping season.
The annual holiday shopping season is a peak time for identity theft, so itfs critical that consumers be on high alert and educate themselves in order to help reduce the risk of becoming victims, said Adam Levin, chairman, Identity Theft 911, which offers ID theft resolution services.
His company offered these tips for safer holiday shopping:
- When shopping online, look for a small padlock icon in the browser, which means the site has been verified to be secure.
- Use credit cards instead of debit cards.
- Keep credit card numbers secret. Don't store credit card and personal information in any online accounts
- Check bank and credit card statements and accounts every day to make sure each transaction is legitimate. Remember that shopping Web sites have no reason to ask for Social Security numbers or passwords, so never provide them.
- Never send payment information via e-mail.
- Don't use automated teller machines that are in secluded areas. They are more likely to be equipped with card readers than an ATM in or near a bank.
