If you have lost your debit card or have had it stolen, please call 1-800-264-4274 and request extension #19311 or Card Services to report your card.

Over the past several weeks our core processor, CSI, has received calls from numerous banks expressing concern over the sharp increase in automated Phishing telephone calls, e-mails, and text messages to cardholders stating that cards were closed because of possible fraud. Cardholders are then instructed to call another number to reactivate these cards. Once the cardholder enters their card number and expiration dates the fraud begins. This scam began several years ago but has suddenly been reactivated in recent weeks.

Each week it appears that this fraud scheme is hitting a different area of the country and many unsuspecting cardholders fall for this scheme. Our service, Card Sentry, is not an automated system and our staff will never ask leading questions as noted above.

Many law enforcement communities have reviewed these cases and although the call may at first appear to be domestic, they are actually being switched from foreign carriers and frequently originate in other countries.

In light of these incidents, we want to remind all cardholders that no financial institution will ever request account, card or PIN information over the phone. Please call the bank if you feel you have been a victim of a Phishing scheme.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has become aware of e-mails appearing to be sent from the FDIC that are asking recipients to download and open a “personal FDIC insurance file” to check their deposit insurance coverage. 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.

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.”

The e-mails ask recipients to “visit the official FDIC website” by clicking on a hyperlink provided, which appears to be related to the FDIC and directs recipients to a fraudulent Web site. The Web site includes hyperlinks that appear to open forms. However, it is believed that clicking on the hyperlinks will cause an unknown executable file to be downloaded. While the FDIC is working with the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) to determine the exact effects of the executable file, recipients should consider the intent of the software as a malicious attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to online banking services or to conduct identity theft. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the Web site or download the executable files provided on the Web site.