Alerts

Email Security • Email Claiming to be from the FDIC • SMiShing Attacks (text phishing) • Telephone Debit Card Scam • ATM Safety Measures

Email Security

Regular email is not a secure method of communication. You should be wary of suspicious email and never open attachments, click on links, or respond to emails from suspicious or unknown senders. ShoreBank Pacific will never ask you to verify financial or personal information via unsolicited email or telephone calls, and you will never get an email from @eco-bank.com, only @shorebankpacific.com.

We recommend that you take the following email security measures:
Do not send personal information unsecured via email.

If you receive a suspicious email stating to be from ShoreBank Pacific that you think is a phishing email, do not respond or provide any information, and please report the correspondence to us at ecobank@shorebankpacific.com or call our Operations Department at 888-326-2265.

Email Claiming to be From the FDIC

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports of a fraudulent email that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC.

The subject line of the email states: “check your Bank Deposit Insurance Coverage.” The email tells recipients that, "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 email then asks recipients to “visit the official FDIC website and perform the following steps to check your Deposit Insurance Coverage” (a fraudulent link is provided). It then instructs recipients to “download and open your personal FDIC Insurance File to check your Deposit Insurance Coverage.”

This email and associated website are fraudulent. Recipients should consider the intent of this email as an attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to on-line banking services or to conduct identity theft.

The FDIC does not issue unsolicited emails to consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT follow the link in the fraudulent email.

SMiShing attacks (Text phishing)

ShoreBank Pacific has recently received reports of SMiShing attacks (also known as text phishing), which have impacted cardholders of financial institutions located primarily in the eastern region of the U.S.

SmiShing is a type of social engineering that uses cell phone text messages to persuade victims to provide personal information such as card number, CVV2, and PINs. The text message may contain either a website address or more commonly, a phone number that connects to an automated voice response system, which then asks for personal information.

The following are examples of SMiShing messages recently sent to cardholders:

Text message originating from either notice@jpecu or message@cccu:
- ABC CU- has- deactivated-your-Debit_card.
- To-reactivate-contact:21 0957XXXX
- This is an automated message from ABC Bank. Your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate call urgent at 1-866-21 5-XXXX
Text message originating from sms.alert@visa.com:
- sms.alert@visa.com/VISA. (Card Blocked) Alert. For more information please call 1-877-269- XXXX.

Although we may ask identifying information from you to verify your identity, ShoreBank Pacific will never ask for the CVV2 or PIN number from your debit card. Please contact us to have your card reissued if you receive one of these messages

Telephone Debit Scam

The bank continues to receive reports of a telephone scam involving fraudsters attempting to obtain personal information from cardholders - the details are as follows:

Cardholders have received computer-generated calls claiming to be from their financial institution. The calls claim their accounts have been frozen and then direct the cardholder to call a toll-free number to leave their debit card information in order to reactivate any cards. The toll-free number includes a recorded message that asks the customer to key their account number, card expiration date, and PIN.

Recommendations to Reduce your Risk

Cardholder awareness is key in combating fraud - use these helpful tips to protect yourself:

Make sure you initiate the contact, and the institution verifies your identity with questions only you would know.
To verify whether a call is legitimate, call your bank or visit its website, using phone numbers or internet addresses from your bank statement or account documentation. Do not call back a number provided over the phone or click on a link in an email.
Most communications will include something that will concern or excite the victim.
If you have been the victim of a scam, file a complaint at local law enforcement.
Notify your financial institution.

As with all possible fraudulent situations, you are encouraged to take appropriate measures if a scam is suspected.

If you have questions, please contact us at ecobank@shorebankpacific.com or toll-free at 1-877-326-4326.

ATM Safety Measures

As the economy worsens and crime rises, it is important to follow safety precautions when using an ATM to avoid being robbed:

Be aware of your surroundings. If you observe or sense suspicious persons or circumstances, do not use that ATM at that time.
Have your ATM card ready and in your hand as you approach the machine. Don't wait until you get to the ATM before taking your card out of your wallet or purse.
Be careful that no one can see you enter your PIN at the ATM. Use your body to "shield" the ATM keyboard as you enter your PIN.
Keep your account information confidential. Always take your receipts or transaction records with you.
Do not count or visually display any money you receive from the ATM. Immediately put your money into your pocket or purse, leave the area and count it later.
If you are using a drive-up ATM, be sure passenger windows are rolled up and all doors are locked. Roll up your window immediately after using the ATM. If you leave your vehicle and walk to the ATM, be sure to lock your car.

Using an ATM at Night

Park close to the ATM in a well-lit area.
Take another person with you, if possible.
If the lights at the ATM are not working, don't use it. Instead, use an ATM inside a supermarket or other public area.
If shrubbery has overgrown or a tree blocks the view, select another ATM. Notify your bank later about the blockage.