Security Alerts

ALERT – Below is a scenario being played out in the Stronghurst, Illinois area, which is near Burlington, Iowa. Calls to customers came on cell phones and calls were on credit cards and debit cards. Some calls were automated and some were actual people. Caller ID for the customers showed many different numbers. If you called the numbers back you either received a beeping or an out of service number. The numbers were checked and some were from California or the east coast.

On the credit card they would say that they were from card services and you have been selected for a new lower interest rate. In order to get your new rate you need to key in your card number and expiration date.

On the debit card they are saying that the card was compromised or deactivated. The automated service would ask that they verify their information in order to reactivate their card. It asked for them to enter their card number and PIN. In some cases they would get a live person that would transfer them to their security area.

Banks in Allamakee, Winneshiek and Fayette Counties have had several debit card holders who say they’ve received an automated call from a security company asking for their debit card number. These calls are part of a scam.

If you receive a call like this, please contact us immediately.

Fraudulent E-Mails Claiming to Be From the FDIC

E-mails fraudulently claiming to be from the FDIC are attempting to trick recipients into installing unknown software on personal computers. These e-mails falsely indicate that recipients should download and open a “personal FDIC insurance file” to check their deposit insurance coverage. The “insurance file” may actually be a form of spyware or malicious code and may collect personal or confidential information.

Currently, the subject line of the fraudulent e-mails includes the wording “check your Bank Deposit Insurance Coverage.” The e-mails state: “You have received this message because you are a holder of a FDIC-insured bank account. Recently FDIC has officially named the bank you have opened your account with as a failed bank, thus, taking control of its assets.”

These e-mails are fraudulent and were not sent by the FDIC. The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission.

Maynard Savings Bank is alerting customers of a debit card scam involving cell phone customers in this area. Several cell phone customers have received a text message pertaining to their debit card. The message indicates that there is a problem with the debit card and to please call the number provided. By calling this number, it may prompt you to enter or say your debit card number, pin number, and/or account number. By providing this information to the scammer, they will be able to obtain information to use your debit card and account.
DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER OR DISCLOSE YOUR DEBIT CARD OR ACCOUNT INFORMATION TO ANYONE!

Maynard Savings Bank is alerting customers of a telephone scam where a caller appears to be a representative of the court system questioning why you did not report for jury duty as required. The caller’s tone is stern and alludes to an arrest warrant being issued for failure to report for jury duty. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your date of birth and Social Security number so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. If you provide your personal information to the caller, your identity has been stolen. This type of scam is effective because the caller uses intimidation tactics to bully people into providing their personal information over the telephone.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, scammers are targeting people who are expecting to receive economic stimulus payments from the US Social Security Administration (SSA) this month. Targets of the scam are receiving email messages that send them to a phony SSA website where they are asked to supply their SSNs, bank account numbers and other information to receive their payments. SSA spokesperson Mark Hinkle says recipients do not need to take any action to receive their payments; they will be mailed or deposited into bank accounts automatically.

• Never provide a caller with your personal information such as your date of birth or Social Security number.
• Do not give in to bullying or intimidation tactics from the caller.
• Report any suspicious calls to local authorities, especially those calls where someone requests your personal information over the telephone and appears to be using intimidation tactics as a means to acquire that information.

Maynard Savings Bank is vigilant in helping our customers in protecting their own personal information. Customers can do the following:

• Never share your personal login ID, password, PIN, or account number with anyone.
• Keep credit cards and banking information secure. Report lost or stolen checks or credit cards immediately. Shred sensitive materials before disposal.
• Review bank statements each month for mistakes or unfamiliar charges. Report any unauthorized transactions immediately to the financial institution.
• Use direct deposit.
• Don't use PINs or other passwords that are easy to guess. Also change your passwords regularly.
• Be aware of their surroundings. Identity thieves can use a camera cell phone to photograph credit or ATM card numbers while in a store. They should look around to ensure no one is shoulder surfing by watching from nearby for a personal identification number, and they shouldn’t give a credit card number aloud in public places with others around.
• Don’t let anyone swipe your card twice without giving you a transaction cancelled receipt for the first transaction.
• The customers should know when their bank or credit card statements arrive in the mail, as a missing or late statement can be a warning sign. If you know you have a bill due and you haven’t seen the bill, call the issuer to investigate.
• Obtain copies of your credit report periodically from each of the three major reporting agencies to be sure that they are accurate. Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union are required to provide you with one free credit report per year.

Maynard Savings Bank WILL NEVER initiate a request for sensitive information from you such as your social security number, personal login ID, password, PIN or account number nor ask you to verify account information via email.

When your identity gets stolen, it can be a horrendous experience. Below are some steps to get your life back on track.

• Contact each of the three major credit bureaus and a request a “fraud alert” be placed on your file and no new credit be granted without your approval.
• Close the account(s) you think could be affected.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-438-4338. When you file with the FTC you are providing information to help law enforcement officials track down thieves.
• File a report with the local police department. Filing a report, along with a complaint to the FTC, can give you certain protections to ensure your identity can be protected and restored.

Credit Reporting Agencies:

• Equifax :: (800) 525-6285 :: www.equifax.com
• Experian :: (888) 397-3742 :: www.experian.com
• Trans Union :: (800) 680-7289 :: www.transunion.com

ID Theft Prevention & Reporting:

• Annual Credit Report :: (877) 322-8228 :: www.annualcreditreport.com
• Federal Trade Commission :: 1-877-ID-THEFT :: www.ftc.gov/idtheft

Lost or Stolen Debit Cards (24/7):

• SHAZAM :: (800) 383-8000 :: www.shazam.net

For more information or questions regarding these alerts, contact the bank at:

MAYNARD SAVINGS BANK
310 MAIN ST W PO BOX 158
MAYNARD, IA 50655
(563) 637-2289
msb@maynardsavingsbank.com