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Your financial security is one of Fox Chase Bank's primary concerns. We strive to keep your personal identity and your banking assets safe and secure. Yet, we need your help too. The information in this section is provided to help you do your part in securing your personal identity and your banking assets. Check back often, to get the latest news and to learn tips for protecting yourself and your finances.
In addition to the security alerts below, here are some useful links from the Federal Trade Commission's website which provide detailed information to help you deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.
FTC's Online Privacy & Security Site
SECURITY ALERTS
December 2011
WARNING: New Security Threats and Scams
One of our top priorities at Fox Chase Bank is to ensure that your information and banking data are secure and private. Periodically we will send you alerts, such as this email, to remind you of being cautious when using the Internet and online banking tools. It is important to always be vigilant when using online banking. Acquiring a business's private log-in information and using this information to access accounts is a popular scam for fraudsters.
Recently we have become aware of a scam in which fraudsters attempt to access your accounts after producing a "Please wait" screen on your computer immediately after you log in to online banking. After entering your credentials to log-in to Fox Chase Bank's online banking portal you should never receive a "Please Wait" screen. This message is a strong indication that your computer has been infected by malware. While you are "waiting", fraudsters can take over the connection and conduct any transaction that the compromised user is allowed to make. Such malware can also monitor your keystrokes and steal your credentials allowing them access to your online banking accounts. If you do experience a "Please Wait" screen or any other unusual behavior, please contact our ebanking services group immediately at 866-369-2427 x5.
In addition, there is a new spam campaign in which email messages purport to be from the Better Business Bureau. The email states that they have received a complaint about your company and that you can find out additional information by clicking on the link in the email. This is a scam. These links and attachments can contain the malware that is installed on your PC.
If you believe you have been the victim of a fraud attempt or are unsure about the authenticity of any correspondence related to a Fox Chase Bank service please contact us immediately at customercare@foxchasebank.com or call 866-369-2427.
FBI Warns of New Fraud Scam
The Federal Bureau of investigation (FBI) has issued a warning about a new corporate account takeover virus. In a corporate account takeover, cyber thieves gain access to, and control of, business bank accounts by stealing the company's valid on-line credentials and initiating ACH or wire transfers. The new Zeus malware variant now being used, called Gameover, is able to defeat several forms of dual factor authentication, says the FBI. Once the malware is installed on the customers' computers, fraudsters can monitor key strokes and the online banking sites that the infected PC's visit. To help protect you and your business, the FBI suggests you be vigilant of suspicious emails and never click on links or open attachments in emails that are suspicious. These links and attachments contain the malware that is installed on the customers' PC's. Recently, in the case of Gameover attacks, emails purportedly from NACHA (the electronic payments association) contained malicious links. NACHA does not typically send emails directly to consumers or businesses and direct emails from organizations such as NACHA should raise a red flag.
If you believe you have been the victim of a fraud attempt or are unsure about the authenticity of any correspondence related to a Fox Chase Bank service please contact us immediately at customercare@foxchasebank.com or call 866-369-2427.
November 2011
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions of Canada has issued a warning against First Nation Global Sovereign Trust operating as Fox Bank. Please note this is not Fox Chase Bank and in no way are we affiliated.
If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Care Center at 866-369-2427.
September 2011
"Beware of Fraud!" State and Federal Officials Warn
Fraud can be a big problem in areas struck by disasters, according to officials from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).The damage caused by Hurricane Irene may leave many homeowners, renters, and business owners vulnerable to fraudulent offers of help. New Jersey residents may be the target of some familiar scams. FEMA-contracted inspectors call to schedule an appointment before visiting a home. The inspectors always wear a photo ID and know the applicant’s name and registration number. Never pay a fee for help. FEMA never charges for disaster assistance.
Look out for:
Fake offers of help getting state or federal aid: Some scam artists walk around carrying a clipboard with official-looking forms; this is no proof they are with a state, federal or voluntary agency serving those affected by the disaster. Never reveal personal information when you are unsure of the person or organization.
Bogus solicitations: It can be hard to resist pleas for a donation to help survivors. A solicitation may arrive by email, someone may call, or you may get a knock at the door. Research the charitable organization by getting an exact name and phone number or call the charity directly and confirm the person asking for funds is an employee or volunteer. To be safe, you may want to donate to one or more of the major voluntary organizations.
Disreputable contractors: Homeowners should refuse offers from contractors knocking on doors offering to make repairs. Avoid this scam by using licensed local contractors, asking for references and checking them before entering into a contract. Legitimate contractors will have more work than they can handle after a disaster. Be sure to ask for a written estimate from at least three contractors, including labor and materials. Make sure they are insured and read the fine print.
The Department of Homeland Security has established a Fraud Prevention web page (at www.dhs.gov), but members of the public can also call the Fraud Prevention Hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
August 2011
New Malware Could Make Zeus Bigger Threat
A new malicious program increases the threat caused by the infamous Zeus program which has taken over countless online banking accounts in recent years. Zeus' methods have been easily incorporated into a new version called Ramnit, a program that could infect computers more easily than Zeus could. Zues had no spreading capability; Ramnit's specialty is copying itself to new machines. When Ramnit infects one machine it is likely to propagate inside the network. The new version of Ramnit was first spotted in July.
With the constant rise in threats, it is important now more than ever to keep your anti-virus software up to date on your computer.
April 2011
Sony PlayStation suffers massive data breach
Sony suffered a massive breach in its video game online network that led to the theft of names, addresses and possibly credit card data belonging to 77 million user accounts in what is one of the largest-ever Internet security break-ins. Sony said it saw no evidence credit card numbers were stolen, but warned users it could not rule out the possibility. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained," Sony said. Sony also said it has hired an "outside recognized security firm" to investigate and are recommending its users to place fraud alerts on their credit card accounts through three U.S. credit card bureaus.
April 2011
Banks and credit-card issuers are warning that hackers may have obtained email addresses because of a security breach at a Dallas-based company called Epsilon that manages email communications. Some of the financial-service companies affected included Capital One Financial Corp., Barclays Bank, U.S. Bancorp, Citigroup Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Ameriprise Financial Inc. and retailers including Best Buy Co., TiVo Inc., Walgreen Co. and Kroger Co.
According to the reports, the information that was retrieved included e-mail addresses, but did not include any customer account or financial information. The email addresses could be used to target spam. It's also a standard tactic among online fraudsters to send emails to random people, purporting to be from a large bank and asking them to login to a site that looks like the bank's site. Instead, the fraudulent site captures their login information and uses it to access the real account. The data breach could make these so-called "phishing" attacks more efficient, by allowing the fraudsters to target people who actually have an account with the bank.
As always, we urge our customers to be cautious if you receive e-mails asking for your personal information and be on the lookout for unwanted spam.
March 2011
There have been reports of a recent e-mail phishing scam referencing an ACH transaction that was cancelled by the Electronic Payments Association. The e-mail is shown to be coming from either payments@nacha.org or transfers@nacha.org. If you receive this type of e-mail, please do not open it and delete it from your inbox.
If you are unsure about the authenticity of any correspondence related to a Fox Chase Bank service please contact us immediately at customercare@foxchasebank.com or call 866-369-2427 option 1.
September 2010
E-mail phishing, which was once a favorite scam among fraudsters, is now being replaced by vishing and smishing. An article entitled "New Vishing Spree Strikes U.S." explains these security threats and discusses how they have been affecting customers at small community banks. Click here to read the complete article.
Please note: Fox Chase Bank will never contact you by phone, email, or text to request personal or account information, such as credit card number(s), social security number(s), account number(s), etc.
If you believe you have been the victim of a fraud attempt or are unsure about the authenticity of any correspondence related to a Fox Chase Bank service please contact us immediately at customercare@foxchasebank.com or call 866-369-2427 option 1.
November 2009
We have recently heard reports of several people receiving text messages on their cell phones that claim to be from a credit union called FedChoice FCU, but are actually an attempt to collect sensitive information. The fraudulent text messages contain an "alert" that an ATM or Debit card has been deactivated or suspended, and urge the recipient to call the message sender. This use of text messaging to illegally collect sensitive information is called "smishing," the latest form of phishing. The recent "smishing" text that has been shared with us has asked the recipients to call 877-280-6075. A recording asks the person to then enter his or her card number.
A key indicator that a message is fraudulent is if you receive a message from a bank or credit union where you do not have an account. Please delete these messages. If you are unsure if a message is fraudulent, please contact us and we will be glad to advise you accordingly.
Please note: Fox Chase Bank will never contact you by phone or email to request personal or account information, such as credit card number(s), social security number(s), account number(s), etc.
If you believe you have been the victim of a smishing attempt or are unsure about the authenticity of any correspondence related to a Fox Chase Bank service please contact us immediately at customercare@foxchasebank.com or call 866-369-2427 option 1.
October 2009
One of our top concerns at Fox Chase Bank is to ensure that your personal information and banking data is secure and private. Recently there has been an increase in Phishing attempts on the Internet and we wanted to make you aware of Phishing and the dangers that these types of scams pose.
Phishing is an attempt to steal customer identity and financial account logon information. Phishing includes fraudulent emails, links to look-alike websites, and fraudulent websites that require users to enter personal information such as account numbers or users ID's and passwords. Perpetrators can then use the stolen information to gather personal information that can potentially be sold or, in some circumstances, used to conduct fraudulent transactions.
For example, a recent scam has involved an e-mail from the IRS. The fraudulent e-mail appears to be from the IRS Department and alerts the recipient that they have underpaid their tax return. In the e-mail there is a link to a supposed "IRS site" which asks for information such as bank account numbers. This information is then gathered by the perpetrator and may be used for fraudulent activity.
Please note that Fox Chase Bank will NEVER ask you for your user name, password or other logon information. Our emails, to you, will never contain software or links to any websites. If you have any doubt about the authenticity of any web site, do not provide any personal information.
If you believe you have been the victim of a Phishing attempt or are unsure about the authenticity of any correspondence related to a Fox Chase Bank service please contact us immediately at customercare@foxchasebank.com or call 866-369-2427 option 1.
August 2008
11 Charged in Massive Credit Card Fraud Case
The Department of Justice announced Tuesday August 5, 2008 the indictment of 11 people whom they say stole millions of credit and debit card numbers from major retailers in the nation's largest case of identity theft.
The 11 people, including 3 Americans, allegedly targeted such retailers as TJX Companies, BJ's Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes and Noble, Sports Authority, Forever 21 and DSW. Officials say the suspects were able to tap into computer networks using a technique called "war driving." Once they found a retailers network, officials alleged the men would hack into the system and install "sniffer programs" which would then relay sensitive card information back to the men.
Officials still have not identified all of the people who may have had card numbers stolen and suspect that there are a large number of people unaware that their identifying information has been compromised. Federal Officials are encouraging those who think they may have been affected by the ID theft scheme to contact their bank.
