Customer Alerts. protecting yourself against online fraud.

Customer Alerts

 May 9, 2011

Risky Places to Swipe Your Debit Card

Skimming is the practice of capturing a bank customer's card information by running it through a machine that reads the card's magnetic strip.  Those machines are often placed over the real card slots at ATMs and other terminals. Transaction outdoors at an open ATM is going to be higher risk.  If the public has access to the machine, then there is the possibility of someone adding a skimming device to it and surveil it when customers make transactions.  Safer ATMs are in retail outlets and in high traffic, well lit areas.

Another potentially risky place to use your debit card is at a restaurant.  Any place where your card it out of your hand increases the risk of fraud.  In restaurants, the server comes to your table to collect the payment, takes your card and disappears for awhile.  This gives them the opportunity to copy your card information.

Even restaurants without sit-down service can present a threat.  Using a debit card to order delivery can be risky because cahiers tend to keep customer information on file.  While it makes future orders more convenient, small businesses rarely take the steps necessary to safeguard payment information.

So wherever you are using your debit card, exercise caution to help prevent fraud.

 

 

April 1, 2011

Pay-at-the-Pump Card Fraud Revs Up

Warm weather and easy targets have made self-service gas pumps attractive targets for card-skimmers.  Card fraud linked to pay-at-the-pump gas terminals in tourist spots is on the rise, as travel season gears up for spring.  Local law enforcement quickly responded in mid-January by telling gas station owners to check card readers on fuel pumps more regularly, as well as warn consumers about the dangers of paying with plastic at the pump.

The challenge with pay-at-the-pump terminals is that they're difficult to inspect.  Unlike ATM skimming, which involves placing a skimming device over an ATM's external card reader, a skimming device at a pay-at-the-pump terminal is placed inside the pump's enclosure, where it is visually undetectable.

Pay-at-the-pump gas terminals are more vulnerable to hidden skimming attacks because they are easy to access.  The use of universal access keys, which open up pump enclosures, remain a mainstay in the petrol market.  Anyone with a key to a certain pump's make and model can essentially open any pump of the same make and model.  In comparison, ATMs are required to have unique access keys and codes for enclosure access for service and maintenance.

Once installed, the devices collect card numbers and then transmit card data wirelessly, usually via Bluetooth, to fraudsters who are often nearby.

If you're worried that your FBC account could have been compromised, it's important you speak with us immediately. The sooner we know what's happened, the sooner we can begin helping you.

 

 

September 22, 2010

Information Security

 

Florida Bank of Commerce (FBC) Warns of Fraudulent Debt Collection Telephone Calls

 

The security of your personal information is always a priority at FBC. We work hard to help ensure your account information stays secure.

 

FBC has received reports of suspicious telephone calls where the caller claims to represent the Bank and is attempting to collect an outstanding debt.

 

To date, the callers have alleged that the call recipient is delinquent in payment of a loan.  The loan may or may not actually exist.  The caller attempts to authenticate the claim by providing sensitive personal information, such as name, Social Security number and date of birth, supposedly taken from the loan application.  The recipient is then strongly urged to make a payment over the phone to avoid the Bank disabling the account or to avoid a lawsuit and possible arrest.

 

These telephone calls are fraudulent.  Recipients should consider them as an attempt to steal money or collect personal identifying information.  FBC generally does not initiate unsolicited telephone calls to consumers.

 

If you're worried that you might have inadvertently compromised your FBC account:

It's important you speak with us immediately. The sooner we know what's happened, the sooner we can begin helping you.

 

If it Policy of FBC not to request any personal information (such as social security number, pin, etc) over the phone if the Bank initiated the call.   If you ever need to call the Bank please ensure to use the phone numbers listed in the back of your card or the ones published in our website www.fbcbank.com.

 

 

 

What is “Phishing”?

Identity theft over the Internet is on the rise and “Phishing” is one form of fraud that attempts to obtain your personal information through the use of e-mails, web sites and popups. This type of fraud occurs when you receive an e-mail that is sent as though the e-mail is from a legitimate company. The e-mail will request sensitive personal information by telling you to either supply the information in a popup window or by clicking on a web link that sends you to a counterfeit web site. Once the information is obtained, the data may be unlawfully used against you to create transactions on your existing accounts.

How can I identify these fraudulent e-mails?

Keep in mind that Florida Bank of Commerce will not send e-mails asking for customer information. Any such e-mails should be reported immediately as a fraudulent e-mail.

Fraudulent e-mails will ask you for your confidential information.

These e-mails will appear as though your account information has expired and will ask you to update your account with current information as soon as possible. Some examples of this information may include user names, passwords, account numbers, credit card numbers, addresses, social security numbers, and phone numbers.

Fraudulent e-mails may appear to be from a genuine source.

Many “Phishing” e-mails are constructed as though the e-mail appears to be from a legitimate e-mail address. The e-mail may contain actual company logos and be very professionally worded. The sender of the e-mail can also easily manipulate the address of the e-mail to make it look as though it is from a trusted source.

Fraudulent e-mails will also link to bogus web sites.

Once a web link is clicked in the counterfeit e-mail, a phony website may be displayed that appears to be official. The web site will then proceed to prompt you for your confidential information.

Fraudulent e-mails may also contain bogus phone numbers.

Fake phone numbers may be used to make the e-mail or web site appear as though it is legitimate. The e-mail or web site could also contain actual phone numbers of the company. The thought is that if the e-mail contains a company phone number, then the e-mail must be legitimate. Look up the phone number in a phone book and call to verify the e-mail.

What should I do if I find one of these e-mails?

Do not click on any of the links in the e-mail. If you find an e-mail that you believe to be fraudulent, either call our customer service department at (407) 246-7772 or e-mail info@fbcbank.com to report it.

Identity Theft

Identity theft happens when a criminal obtains your personal information to steal money from your accounts, open new credit cards, apply for loans, rent apartments and commit other crimes — all using your identity. These acts can damage your credit, leave you with unwanted bills and cause you countless hours and frustration to clear your good name.

If You're a Victim of Identity Theft or Account Fraud

If you're a victim of identity theft or account fraud, you should notify your bank(s) immediately. If your account(s) is with Florida Bank of Commerce (FBC) you should call contact your FBC financial service representative immediately. FBC will work with you in an effort to make appropriate corrections of unauthorized transactions in your FBC accounts and to correct any incorrect reports submitted by FBC to credit bureaus, and will attempt to help protect you from any future identity theft or account fraud.

We also suggest that you immediately:

  • Call the fraud departments of all three credit bureaus. Ask them to put a "fraud alert" on your file. This tells creditors to call you before they open any more accounts in your name.
    • Equifax 1-800-525-6285
    • Experian 1-888-397-3742
    • TransUnion 1-800-680-7289
  • Contact your local police and ask to file a report. Even if the police can't catch the identity thief, having a police report can help you in clearing up your credit records later on.
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Call the FTC's identity theft hotline toll-free at 1 (877) IDTHEFT (438-4338). The hotline is staffed by counselors trained to help victims and take their complaints. You may also file a complaint online at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.
  • Complete the identity theft affidavit, which will assist you in reporting to many companies that a new account has been open in your name. Obtain a copy of the identity theft affidavit by clicking the link below: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/resources/forms/affidavit.pdf.

Together, you and FBC may be able to head off identity theft and account fraud before they ever happen. If you would like more information about identity theft, you can visit one of our branches and speak to your financial service representative.

More information is also available at these sites:

  1. Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) consumer website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
  2. Call the FTC toll-free at 1 (877) IDTHEFT (438-4338)
  3. Deluxe ID TheftBlock ® at http://www.deluxe-idtheftblock.com/.