Current Fraud Alerts
First National Bank Alaska checks part of Nigerian fraud scheme (4/11/08): Multiple people have reported receiving in the mail a check for some $4,000.00 as “lottery winnings.” The checks appear to have been issued by First National Bank Alaska. Along with the check, the mailing includes instructions for verifying the funds and cashing the check.
Do not be fooled! This is a fraudulent attempt to obtain your information and/or your money. The check is NOT from First National Bank Alaska. It is a fake. Do not reply to the letter, cash the check, or call the telephone numbers listed in the mailing.
If you receive such a check or mailing, please contact us and/or mail the check to our Security Manager: First National Bank Alaska, Attention: Don Krohn, Security Manager, P.O. Box 100720, Anchorage, AK 99510.
Phishing alert (04/10/08): The bank's security experts report that two Alaska credit unions are being phished. Alaska USA (AK USA) and Denali Alaska Federal (Denali FCU). Customers who receive e-mails alerting them that something is wrong with their AK USA or Denali FCU account should not respond and should report these fraudulent e-mails to the corresponding financial institution. Both institutions are aware of the phishing activity and have posted alerts on their Web sites.
Please note, First National Bank Alaska never solicits customer information via e-mail, nor does it conduct customer authentification via e-mail. Specific phishing attacks may last a few days or go on for a month or more. For more information about phishing and how to protect yourself against identity theft, click here for tips from the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency.
OCC warns of debt-elimination scams (9/07/07): The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) this week warned national banks about the spread of fraudulent debt-elimination schemes. The schemes, in which fraudsters claim they can eliminate the most common types of loan debt, are designed to defraud victims of upfront fees -- typically $400 to $7,500 - and possibly steal their identities, OCC said in an alert. The alert describes the numerous variations crooks use to fool borrowers. Read the OCC alert.
OCC issues scam alert (6/11/07): The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued an alert about fraudulent correspondence purporting to come from that agency. The scam involves e-mails, letters and faxes to individuals asking them to reply so that the agency can release restricted funds to them. Read the OCC alert.
Preventing, detecting spyware (8/03/05): Spyware refers to software that collects information about a person or organization without their knowledge or informed consent and reports such data back to a third party. Spyware is designed to collect personal information, some of which can be used to conduct identity theft. Spyware or other unwanted software can be installed on your computer when you access infected web sites or download software, such as music or video file sharing programs. There is also risk when accessing banking websites from public computers - such as those in hotels, libraries or Internet cafes. Carefully read all disclosures, including license agreements and privacy statements. Sometimes the inclusion of unwanted software in a given software installation is documented, but it may appear at the end of a license agreement or privacy statement.
Take steps to prevent and detect spyware on your computer by:
- Installing and periodically updating anti-spyware, virus protection and firewall software.
- Adjusting browser settings to prompt you whenever a web site tries to install a new program or Active-X control.
- Carefully reading all End User Licensing Agreements and avoiding downloading software when licensing agreements are difficult to understand.
- Maintaining patches to operating systems and browsers.
- Not opening e-mail from untrustworthy sources.
Guard against fraud: Learn how to better protect your computer and yourself from identity thieves and online scams by reading the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) free publications. Click here to visit the FDIC's Consumer Resources page and become a better informed consumer.
Click here to learn more about identity theft from the Comptroller of the Currency.
Click here for a pdf version of the bank's complete Identity Theft brochure.
