Athens Review, Athens, Texas

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August 5, 2008

Franklin Bank steps up security against phishers

By Lauren Ricks STAFF WRITER

Scams targeting Franklin Bank customers are beginning to look familiar.

Franklin Bank Vice President Mike Holmgreen said an e-mail circulating this week has been seen before.

“The survey thing has been around several times,” Holmgreen said. “This has been going on for years.”

The e-mail reads, “You have been chosen by Franklin Bank online department to take part in our quick and easy nine question survey. In return we will credit $90 to your account — just for your time!”

Holmgreen said the bank customers should not respond to the phishers.

“The bottom line is never, ever give out personal, private information to an unsolicited request,” he said.

Personal information includes pin numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, social security numbers and driver’s license numbers.

Holmgreen said the scammers use computers to find customers of the bank.

“They can set a program to do anything,” he said. He said the scam is programmed to target certain areas, by area codes, and randomly calling or e-mailing people in that area.

“If you have 25 percent of the market, they have 25 percent chance of getting someone who banks with Franklin,” Holmgreen said. “That’s part of the scheme. A computer can dial a lot of numbers.”

He said phishers target any institution that offers credit.

“We are doing everything we can to protect our customers,” Holmgreen said.

He said when the bank receives information of a scam, the information goes to the security department, which shuts down the contact method. Scammers have used Web sites, e-mail and calling or texting cell phones to contact customers.

“It puts a lot of work on us,” Holmgreen said. “It is a nightmare.”

According to Franklin Bank’s Web site all pin-based transactions have been blocked in three foreign countries; Chile, Spain and Bolivia .

“There are a lot of countries where fraud is a real problem,” he said.

Holmgreen said bank customers traveling to the countries can use the card.

“All they have to do is let us know and we will make sure it works,” he said.

Holmgreen said the bank has absolutely no idea who the scammers are.

“We are working hard to stop this nuisance,” he said. “We have to react to it and do everything in our power to stop it.”

The motive of the phishers is simple according to Holmgreen.

“Criminals are looking for an easy buck,” he said.

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