Current Fraud Alerts

Updated April 5, 2010

4/05/2010

Fraud alert: Alaskans reminded to protect personal information

Scammers don’t take a vacation, reminds First National Bank Alaska Security Officer Don Krohn. “The threat of identity theft from scammers is always out there.” He reminds First National customers and employees to never give out personal, private financial information over the phone or the internet unless you originate the call.

Fraudsters may try any number of scams to get access to your personal financial information, including offering you an increase in your credit card limit. “Don’t be taken in by these unsolicited ‘offers,’” Krohn reminds Alaskans. “It’s an attempt to steal your money.”

First National Bank does not initiate calls to customers requesting personal financial information such as passwords, PIN or card number. If you receive such a call, hang up and contact your local banker immediately.

11/04/2009

Cell phone scam targets debit card customers

First National employees and customers in Sitka and Valdez report receiving automated voice mails and texts on their cell phones, informing them their debit cards have been "updated" or have been "restricted for security purposes" and will no longer work UNLESS information is provided. The unknown automated caller asks the customer to please contact the security department or "press 1 to be connected to the security department." Unfortunately, some bank customers responded as requested and have now compromised their information.

Employees report the information requested in the fraudulent call includes name, address (both physical and mailing), debit card number and PIN.

It is important to be aware this type of scam is ongoing and is hitting close to home. Customers should NEVER give out personal information over the phone unless they initiate the call. Alaskans who believe their information has been compromised by a fraudster should immediately contact their bank.

11/12/08

First National Bank Alaska target in phone scam:

Multiple Alaskans have reported receiving automated phone calls purporting to be from First National Bank in a fraudulent attempt to gain personal information. The calls suggest a “card” has been put on hold because a third-party was trying to use the card. The automated voice goes on to ask for personal information. These automated phone calls are scams attempting to obtain personal information.

First National Bank Alaska never uses automated systems to contact customers. “The bank will never ask for a card number, expiration date or PIN,” said Vice President Valerie Bale, the bank’s electronic banking manager.

The phone scam was first reported to Anchorage Police Department on Nov. 11, a day when banks in Alaska were closed, making it impossible for recipients of the fraudulent automated calls to contact their bank.

11/04/08

Federal Reserve Board Alerts Public to Instances of Questionable Solicitations Directed at Consumers

The Federal Reserve Board alerted the public to instances of questionable solicitations directed at consumers. These solicitations promise consumers access to personal loans through a nonexistent Federal Reserve lending program. Under this fraudulent scheme, targeted individuals are told that that they can work through a broker to access a Federal Reserve program that extends sizable secured loans to consumers. Consumers are encouraged to deposit large sums of money into a bank account, under the guise of a security deposit, in order to receive the purported loan. The Federal Reserve is advising consumers that it has no involvement in these solicitations and does not directly sponsor consumer lending programs.

10/10/08

FTC Report: Consumers warned to avoid fake e-mails tied to bank mergers

Online scammers are taking advantage of upheavals in the financial marketplace to confuse consumers into parting with valuable personal information.

The Federal Trade Commission urges caution regarding e-mails that look as if they come from a financial institution that recently acquired a consumer’s bank, savings and loan, or mortgage. In fact, these messages may be from “phishers” looking to use personal information - account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers - to run up bills or commit other crimes in a consumer’s name.

Consumers are warned not to take the bait. The FTC has advice about how to stay on guard against this type of scam. To learn more, see the consumer alert "Bank Failures, Mergers and Takeover: A Phish-erman's Special."

9/03/08

Gustav phishing

Due to the current situation involving Hurricane Gustav, the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT ) reminds users to remain cautious when receiving unsolicited e-mail that could be a potential phishing scam.

US-CERT phishing scams may appear as requests for donations from a charitable organization asking users to click on a link that will take them to a fraudulent Web site that appears to be a legitimate charity. The users are then asked to provide personal information that can further expose them to future compromises. Users are encouraged to take the following measures to protect themselves from this type of phishing scam:

Do not follow unsolicited web links received in email messages.
Review the Federal Trade Commission's Charity Checklist
Verify the legitimacy of the e-mail by contacting the organization directly through a trusted contact number. Trusted contact information can be found on the Better Business Bureau National Charity Report Index.

5/08/08

Phishing related to issuance of economic stimulus checks

The FBI warns consumers of recently reported spam e-mail purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which is actually an attempt to steal consumer information.

Consumers are advised that the IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications via e-mail. In addition, the IRS does not request detailed personal information via e-mail or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. Learn more about this FBI warning.

4/11/08

First National Bank Alaska checks part of Nigerian fraud scheme

Multiple people have reported receiving in the mail a check for some $4,000 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.

04/10/08

Phishing alert

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.

9/07/07

OCC warns of debt-elimination scams

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.

6/11/07

OCC issues scam alert

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.

8/03/05

Preventing, detecting spyware

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 web sites 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. Visit the FDIC's Consumer Resources page and become a better informed consumer.