News and Press Releases
May 23, 2019
Alaska businesses targeted with ongoing fraudulent direct deposit requests via email
A national email scam involving a fraudulent request to change the payroll direct deposit information of a current employee is now targeting Alaska businesses.
The email appears to be sent from the legitimate email account of a current employee, but in reality is a fraudulent request made by impersonating the employee’s email through use of either a spoofed personal or business email account. It may be possible to observe a minor difference in the email address, for instance, a different domain such as .org instead of .net. The email from the purported "employee" is sent to the business’s payroll or human resources personnel with a request to change the “employee’s” direct deposit for payroll purposes. A new bank account number and routing number, controlled by the fraudster, are included in the fraudulent email.
As reported by several Alaska businesses, the attacks are highly targeted. The fraudsters often use friendly, personable email jargon and include confidential information about the employee, such as social security number, fabricated voided checks and/or accurate employee names. Most commonly, funds have been diverted to GreenDot Bank, an institution that provides a type of bank account that includes a reloadable card.
First National urges businesses to require all payment account changes to be signed and submitted in writing. Businesses should treat all requests received via email regarding direct deposit as suspicious, and verify any/all changes by a second method, such as placing a phone call to a known phone number or by directing the person requesting the change to use existing credentials to securely access the proper change request forms via the company’s intranet or other established non-public location.
Alaskans who believe their information has been compromised should immediately contact their bank.
Alaskan-owned and -operated since 1922, First National proudly meets the financial needs of Alaskans with ATMs and branches in 18 communities throughout the state. In 2018, Alaska Business readers voted the bank the “Best of Alaska Business” in the Best Place to Work category for the third year in a row and as best Corporate Citizen for the second year in a row. In January 2018, MSN.com named First National the most admired company in the state and, in September, it was selected as one of the “Best Banks to Work For” by American Banker. The Alaska Chamber presented the Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year Award to First National in October.
Visit FNBAlaska.com for more information about Alaska’s largest locally-owned bank and access to efficient and secure online banking services.
CONTACT
Amy Tannahill 907-830-2611
Denise Brown Robinson 907-360-1832
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