Overview

Fraud is the fastest-growing crime in America.  Stroud National Bank considers the security of your financial information a top priority.  We take extensive security measures to insure a safe and reliable banking experience for all of our customers.

Current Alerts/Scams

Secret Shopper Scam

The scam involves a cashier’s check for a few thousand dollars that arrives out of the blue. You’re instructed to cash the check at your bank, buy several Walmart gift cards, then keep the remaining money for yourself, typically a few hundred dollars. After you send photos of the gift cards’ numbers and PINs to the scammers, your bank finally discovers that the cashier’s check was faked. The entire amount is then deducted from your account while the scammers have already used the gift cards. 

Tech Support Scam

Scammers are calling pretending to be with Microsoft or the FTC or other company, asking for remote access to your computer.  These scammers are all too happy to notify you that there is a problem with your computer and walk you through the steps to fix it.  What they are really doing is gleaning your usernames and passwords, installing malware, selling you software that is worthless or direct you to a fake website so you can enter your credit card information.  They may also ask you to pay them by buying gift cards or prepaid debit cards.  These scammers usually cost their victims hundreds of dollars or more.  If you get a similar call, hang up immediately and spread the word!

 

Types of Fraud

Identity Theft

Identity Theft occurs when someone illegally obtains your personal information and uses it to open new accounts or initiate transactions in your name.

The following may be signs of Identity Theft and Fraud:

• If you find new accounts on your credit report that are not yours.
• If you receive credit cards or billing statements on accounts you didn’t apply for.
• If you are denied credit or are offered less than favorable credit terms for no reason.
• If you get calls from creditors or debt collectors regarding merchandise or services that you did not buy.

Online Fraud

Be suspicious of unsolicited e-mails asking you to click on a link, download an attachment, or provide account information.  It’s easy for cyber criminals to copy the logo of a reputable company or organization into a phishing email.  When responding to a simple request, you may be installing malware.  Your safest strategy is to ignore unsolicited requests, no matter how legitimate or enticing they appear.

Mobile Fraud

Be careful where and how you connect to the Internet.  Only access the Internet for banking or for other activities that involve personal information using your own laptop or mobile device through a known, trusted, and secure connection.  A public computer, such as at a hotel business center or public library, and free Wi-fi networks are not necessarily secure.  It can be relatively easy for cyber criminals to intercept the Internet traffic in these locations.

Skimming

Card skimming is where the fraudster affixes a bogus card reader on top of the real reader.  Skimming account for more than 80 percent of ATM fraud.

Counterfeit Checks

The counterfeit checks in circulation today are very high-quality forgeries.  Counterfeit cashier’s checks can be used in combination with other scams where the victim is skeptical that there really is money to be gained.  Always beware of large cashier’s checks from strangers.  The victim who deposits a counterfeit check could actually be charged with a crime.

Data Breaches

A date breach is an incident in which an individual name plus a Social Security number, Driver’s License number, medical record or financial record (credit/debit cards included) is potentially put at risk because of exposure.  Generally, these breaches consist of the exposure of user names, emails and passwords without involving sensitive personal identifying information.  Exposure can occur either electronically or in paper format.

Security Tips

Tools for a Safer PC

Follow these 3 Basic Rules for online security, and you will drastically reduce the chances of handing control over your computer to the bad guys.  1) if you didn’t go looking for it, don’t install it; 2) If you installed it, update it; 3) If you no longer need it, get rid of it! For more on these rules, check out https://krebsonsecurity.com.

Increase the Complexity of Your Passwords

Use the strongest method available to log into financial accounts.  Use the strongest authentication offered, especially for high-risk transactions.  If you are having trouble coming up with a complex password that’s easy to remember, here is a simple suggestion:  Come up with a sentence about your life and turn the letters of that sentence into a password.  Example: My parents eat sugar on their peaches and shortcake would translate to a password of Mpe$ontp&$.

Protection Tools

Stroud National Banks’ debit card fraud department monitors transactions 24 hours a day/7days a week.  You may receive an email, text or phone call from our fraud department.

 

Report Fraud

Fraud is an unfortunate byproduct of the online convenience we enjoy today.  Stroud National Bank takes the threat of fraud very seriously and works diligently to help our customers protect their accounts and personal information.

If you believe you are a victim of fraud by unauthorized account activity, lost or stolen debit card, compromised account information or debit card information, fraudulent emails and/or fraudulent websites, contact Stroud National Bank immediately.

To report fraud or a lost or stolen debit card during regular business hours:

918-968-2545

To report a lost or stolen debit card after hours:

866-546-8273

If your identity has been stolen: 

• Contact your local police department and file a report.
• Contact the FTC by visiting their website https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/ or by phone at 1-877-ID-THEFT
• Order or download helpful publications.

If you or another older adult are unable to handle financial affairs, contact Adult Protective Services at Community APS@okdhs.org and 405-521-3660 or Oklahoma County Gatekeeper at 405-840-9676.

To report consumer fraud, contact the Oklahoma Attorney General http://www.oag.ok.gov/ and click on consumer protection or report fraud.

 

Resources

Adult Protective Services at Community APS@okdhs.org

Better Business Bureau: https://www.bbb.org/oklahomacity/

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.ic3.gov

Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov

Fight Identity Theft: www.fightidentitytheft.com

Identity Theft Resource Center: www.idtheftcenter.org

Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office: http://www.oag.ok.gov/

Credit Reporting Agencies
As of June 1, 2005, Oklahomans can check their credit report once a year at no charge: www.annualcreditreport.com.

Equifax: www.equifax.com
Experian: www.experian.com
Transunion: www.transunion.com