FRAUD ALERTS

Fraudulent E-mail Claiming to Be From the FDIC - December 3, 2009

Fraudulent correspondence bearing the FDIC's name continues to be mailed, faxed and e-mailed. This correspondence is being used in illegal schemes to collect sensitive personal information, such as bank account numbers, and to steal money and other assets.

The correspondence uses various techniques to gain the trust of recipients in hopes they will provide sensitive personal information, including bank account numbers that can be used to steal money and other assets. Recipients should NOT, under any circumstances, respond to the fraudulent requests.

The criminals, knowing that people trust the FDIC name, have duplicated the official logo and seal in fraudulent letters, forms, certificates and other correspondence. Recent examples have included invoices, bills, transfer forms, guarantees, endorsements, and confirmations of stock and investment purchases. In some cases, recipients were asked to complete fraudulent forms and return them by fax or e-mail. In other cases, recipients were asked to remit funds via check or wire transfer service.

The FDIC rarely sends unsolicited bills or other similar documents to financial institutions, businesses and consumers. In particular, the FDIC does not send unsolicited correspondence asking for sensitive personal information, including bank account information. Anyone receiving such correspondence should contact the FDIC immediately by calling toll-free at 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342) or by e-mailing to alert@fdic.gov. Do not use contact information listed for the FDIC in the correspondence because it is likely to be falsified.

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-3054, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Questions related to fraudulent correspondence, deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

FIGHTING BACK AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT

In keeping with the efforts of the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve Bank to promote National Consumer Protection Week, please take a minute to read this article on identity theft schemes. By keeping our customers informed about identity theft, obtaining a credit report, information security, and how to detect a scam and submit a complaint, we hope to decrease your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.

COMMON WAYS ID THEFT HAPPENS
Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information, including:

1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
3. Phishing. They pretend to be a financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a “change of address” form.
5. “Old-Fashioned” Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records rom their employers, or bribe employees who have access.

DETER
Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name.

Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information.

• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
  
• Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
  
• Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
  
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
  
• Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.

DETECT
Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.
Be alert to signs that require immediate attention.

• Bills that do not arrive as expected
  
• Unexpected credit cards or account statements
  
• Denials of credit for no apparent reason
  
• Calls or letters about purchases you did not make

INSPECT
Your credit report; Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history.

• The law requires the major nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to give you a free copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it.
  
• Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, a service created by these three companies, to order your free credit reports each year.
  
• Your financial statements. Review financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking for charges you did not make.

DEFEND
Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it.

• Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and review the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient:
  • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
    
  • Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
    
  • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit report. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain.

• Close Accounts. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.
  
  • Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
    
  • Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement
    
  • Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
    
  • Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
• File a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
  
• Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations.
  
  • Online: ftc.gov/idtheft
    
  • By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261
    
  • By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous notifications from consumers of an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The "From" line of the e-mail displays the name "Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation" and the subject includes the phrase "IMPORTANT: Notification of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation."

The e-mail states that the FDIC received an application. It says, in part:

"…from your bank to ensure your Checking or Savings account against Fraud, phishing or Identity Theft. If u agree with the following, PLEASE ENROLL in the FDIC protection system."

The e-mail is fraudulent and was not sent by the FDIC. It is an attempt to obtain personal financial information from consumers. The e-mail requests that recipients click on a hyperlink that is provided, which directs the recipient to a "spoofed" Web page. The Web page appears to belong to the FDIC and requests information, such as: name, phone number, Social Security number, mother's maiden name, driver's license/issuing state, date of birth, e-mail address, postal address, credit/debit/ATM card number, card expiration date, card verification number, personal identification number (PIN), bank name, bank routing number, and bank account number.

Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the link provided within the body of the e-mail and should NOT, under any circumstances, provide any personal financial information through this media.

The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission.

REMEMBER: Profinium does not contact people online for information and we rarely will call you either. If anyone contacts you for information – DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION! If you ever feel uncomfortable about a phone call or email that you receive, please contact us by calling us at 507-235-5538 in Fairmont, 507-776-2311 in Truman, or 507-444-0111 in Owatonna, which are our main numbers for each location or call operations at 507-235-8038. You can email us at www.profinium.com. Do not call a number that you are given by the people who called you or respond to an email you receive.