Information Security - Overview
Thanks to the internet, access to information, entertainment, credit and financial services and everyday goods and services is readily available. However, the same internet can afford someone the opportunity to improperly access your personal information and damage your finances and reputation.
Your information security is paramount to MidFirst Bank, and there is a great deal to consider in helping minimize your risk. Included in the information below, you will find not only some of the security measures MidFirst Bank is taking, but also a brief description of methods thieves use and what you can do to help protect yourself.
Phishing is a scam that uses fake emails and websites to trick recipients into giving away their personal information, such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers and online banking user names and passwords. The most common attack is to receive an email appearing to be from a reputable organization with a link that actually takes you to an attacker's website where your personal information can be recorded. For your safety, MidFirst will never ask for personal information in an email.
With identity theft, a thief will use your stolen identity to obtain credit, commit fraud or take other actions that can harm your reputation. Thieves will use credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, addresses or phone numbers to open a credit card or bank account, allowing for fraudulent purchases and other criminal activities. For the victim, correcting the damage can be costly and time consuming.
Bogus or fraudulent check scams involve the use of counterfeit checks to be deposited into your bank account with the intention of collecting the funds before your bank can determine that the items are fraudulent.
Internet based job opportunities with a "signing bonus"
The fraudulent hiring company claims to not have a United States bank account and asks the new employee to deposit the company's cashier's check or a check from a U.S. based vendor into their personal checking account. The new employee is then instructed to keep the "signing bonus" and possibly the first month's wages and wire the remaining funds to an overseas account. The original check is not legitimate and the scam is discovered after their bank tries to collect from the overseas account.
Internet based auction sales
The overseas buyer or winning bidder may send a cashier's check in excess of the sale amount to cover shipping. The seller is instructed to wire the remaining funds to an overseas account. In some cases, the sale is canceled after the payment is deposited but before the merchandise is shipped, with the buyer asking that a full refund be wired back.