This hub is on Canadian Banking and focuses on the CIBC (The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce) - it applies to all Canadian banks IN A GENERAL MANNER - (AND I would `hope` applies to USA banking as well).

=====================================

What you can do to help prevent credit card fraud:

Below are some simple precautions you can take to help safeguard yourself to avoid becoming a victim of credit card fraud - (which can lead to all the other types of fruad mentioned herein):

• ALWAYS treat your credit cards as if they were cash (essentually - They ARE.)
• Never write down or disclose your Personal Identification Number (PIN), or choose easy-to-guess PINs (such as your address or birthday), or you could be liable for losses
• Sign your card on the signature panel as soon you receive it
• Never give credit card or personal information over the phone, unless you have initiated the call and you have verified you are dealing with a reputable merchant
• Check billing statements and purchase amounts against receipts, and immediately report any unauthorized transactions to CIBC
• Know who has access to your cards
• Report lost or stolen cards to CIBC immediately at 1-800-465-4653
• Use your hand or body to shield your PIN from onlookers when conducting transactions at a bank machine.
• If you receive a message from CIBC regarding a potential fraud situation, contact them immediately.

WAY back in October 2006, CIBC began a phased installation of a new card reader on CIBC bank machines. This device, which is an illuminated green cover, will prevent anyone from obtaining information from their clients' convenience cards and/or VISA cards through illegal devices or practices. The CIBC verification sticker found on the bank machine confirms the device’s authenticity. While providing enhanced privacy protection, the new card reader does not affect the way you do your banking.

As well, CIBC says they continue to make a significant investments in security networks and training experts who are constantly monitoring and investigating suspicious incidents as they relate to convenience card use. In fact, in many cases, CIBC is able to deactivate Convenience Cards before they can be used fraudulently and have also made easier their fraud claim process, as well as simplifying and expediting the reimbursement process for confirmed victims of fraud.

They are also investing in long term solutions to make bank machines and Convenience Cards more secure; continuing to work with INTERAC Association and other Canadian Financial Institutions to establish and evaluate better standards that will allow the banks to move to a more secure computer chip technology for debit card transactions (replacing the current magnetic stripe technology). Also, we are continuing to invest in more advanced detection systems for our bank machines.

What can I do to protect myself from financial fraud?

Below are some precautions you can take to safeguard yourself and avoid becoming a victim of financial fraud:

• Use your hand or body to shield your PIN from onlookers when you are conducting transactions at a bank machine or at the point-of-sale
• Never let your Convenience Card out of your sight when conducting a debit transaction at any point-of-sale. Always remember to take your Convenience Card and transaction record with you once your transaction is completed
• Regularly check your statements or passbook to verify all transactions have been properly documented. If entries do not accurately reflect transaction activities (e.g. if there are missing or additional transactions), you should contact your CIBC branch or CIBC Telephone Banking at 1-800-465-2422 immediately
• If your Convenience Card is lost, stolen or retained by a bank machine, notify a CIBC branch or CIBC Telephone Banking at 1-800-465-2422 immediately upon becoming aware of the problem
• Your Convenience Card and PIN are the keys to your account(s). Never disclose your PIN to anyone or you could be liable for losses. You are the only person who should know it
• Memorize your PIN. If you suspect that someone knows your PIN, change it immediately or notify a CIBC branch or CIBC Telephone Banking at 1-800-465-2422
• When selecting your PIN, never use obvious information. Did you know the following?
• You could be liable for losses if you create your PIN or Password by using easily guessed numbers such as your telephone number, date of birth, address or social insurance number!

Information About Fraud and Debit Card Safety

Protecting clients from potential losses as a result of financial crime is very important to CIBC. O course it is! If it were not, they would be losing clients in droves. They say they work with law enforcement, the INTERAC Association, the Canadian Bankers Association, and other financial institutions on an ongoing basis to protect clients from financial fraud. But, despite their best efforts to prevent fraud, it still does occur and on a fairly regular basis; although I highly doubt they would admit that.

What is my liability if my Convenience Card is used fraudulently?

If you are a confirmed victim of fraud and you have met your obligations under CIBC's Convenience Banking Service Agreement, you will not be held liable for the associated losses. Review your Convenience Banking Service Agreement. (That means really DO read the fine print!)

If I suspect I have been a victim of financial fraud, what should I do?

Call 1-800-465-2422 or contact your local branch.

Identity fraud is high-jacking someones personal information and then using it illegally. If you think you are a victim of identity fraud and you are a CIBC customer, please contact CIBC immediately at 1-888-872-2422.

Once thieves have enough personal information, whether they retrieve it from unshredded documents in your trash, steal your purse or wallet, or gather information you have posted on the Internet. The next step is they may change your address with creditors and then apply for new loans or credit cards in your name. This is Very Easy to do! You may not be aware of the theft of your identity until months or even years have passed.

You can take very basic steps to protect yourself from identity fraud:

Protect your personal information! Don't EVER give ANY account #'s or VISA card information of ANY sort to anyone, not in person, not over the phone, not online, unless you are confident that you are sure who you are dealing with and on a secure https site <--note the *s*. Don't even carry your Social Insurance Number card in your wallet unless it is absolutely necessary. Same for USA - do not carry your SSN card on you.

Memorize your passwords and bank machine secret codes. Don't write down your bank machine codes or your online banking passwords. If you have a poor memory and must write these down, keep them in a safe place (as in a SAFE) and do not carry them with you! Never give this information to anyone, even a bank employee. Employees will never ask you for this information so be suspicious of anybody that does!

Don't share your Personal Verification Question (PVQ) answers with anyone either; same as above - just DON'T disclose them in any way, shape form or e-mail. Giving your PVQ answers to another person or company places your privacy at risk. CIBC will never send you an e-mail requesting this information. NO bank will. Your PVQ answers for CIBC Online Banking should be unique - do not use PVQ answers that you have used previously on other websites or that are easy to guess.

Report thefts and losses immediately. If your wallet or purse is stolen, or if you think you've lost it, contact CIBC immediately at 1-888-872-2422 to block your accounts and CIBC VISA cards from use. For lost or stolen CIBC VISA cards, please call 1-800-663-4575.

Shred or tear up junk mail and statements. If you don't want a pre-approved credit card offer, tear it up or shread it. Identity fraud often occurs by thieves going through trash looking for these exact types of offers. As well, tear up or shread any personal information you are going to throw away; receipts showing your CIBC VISA card number or bank statements; etc....

Review your account statements. There are SO many people who don't keep a close eye on these! Make Positive that all the transactions on your statement are real and that You made them. Report suspicious transactions immediately to CIBC at 1-800-465-2422.

Review your credit report. At least once each year, contact a credit bureau to check the accuracy of your credit report.

Protect your credit cards. Sign credit cards as soon as you receive them. Cancel inactive cards and don't lend your credit cards to anybody.

E-MAIL FRAUD EXAMPLES:

NOTE THE BELOW ARE REAL EXAMPLES OF REAL CIRCULATING BANK EMAIL SCAMS.

All the *Learn More* links have been disabled for your protection!!

There are MANY fraudulent "phishing" e-mail scams currently in circulation targeting CIBC Online Services as well as every other bank. This hub, being about CIBC is quoting the CIBC emails you may have seen. CIBC wants to assure their customers the authorities have been notified regarding these messages. The trouble is that new ones come out daily.

As some phishing sites distribute malicious software, I strongly recommend that you do not select the links provided in any phishing e-mail, as visiting these sites could place your computer and its contenets at risk. Once again, I also recommend that you regularly check your deposit accounts and credit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate.

Below are some examples of fraudulent messages for your reference. If you receive a fraudulent e-mail or text message claiming to be from CIBC, don't just delete it and don't reply to it! Instead, forward it to fraud@cibc.com, then you can delete it from your Inbox or cell phone. If you have already responded to a message with your CIBC Online Banking password, please contact CIBC Online Banking immediately at 1-888-872-2422.

For your reference, these are some examples of fraudulent messages:

Access Suspended

Dear Numerous Customer,

Our Technical Service department has recently updated our online banking services, and due to this upgrade we sincerely call your attention to follow below link and reconfirm your online account details.

Learn more

07/11/08

CIBC - Important Message

Online Security Update We want you to be confident when accessing your financial information online. CIBC uses multiple layers of protection to increase your security while using CIBC Online Banking or your online investment accounts.

Learn more

07/09/08

Protect your PIN, Passwords and Online Personal Verification Answers

We offer you secure access to your online banking and investment accounts. As part of the sign on process, you may occasionally be prompted to answer one of the Personal Verification Questions you have set up.

Learn more

28/08/08

Payment confirmation #

A payment to Carrington Mortgage Services LLC in the amount of $8228.50 has been made from your Checking account

Learn more

08/08/08

Dear CIBC Customer,

Attention! Your CIBC account has been violated! Someone with ip address [address removed] tried to access your personal account!

Learn more

28/07/08

Dear CIBC customer,

We regret to inform you that we had to lock your back account access.

Call (888) 430-XXXX to restore your bank account. <---BOGUS PHONE NUMBER!

Learn more

28/07/08

Urgent Notice

Dear Customer, We detected irregular activity on your check card on July/23/2008.

Learn more

23/07/08

CIBC Online Security Guarantee

Dear CIBC Memeber, In an effort to keep our records up to date,please take a moment to verify that your personal information on file are correct.

Learn more

09/07/08

CIBC Business Banking - Security Alert Message

Dear customer, Your access to Online Services has been suspended.

Learn more

09/07/08

CIBC Online Banking:Accounting Online Services Transaction

Alert:2008 Security CIBC Bank has been receiving complaints from our customers for unauthorised use of the CIBC Bank Online accounts.

Learn more

02/07/08

CIBC Online Banking Customer Alert

Account Notification, You are recieving this massage, to notify you about our new improved online security software

Learn more

10/06/08

System Maintenance

Dear Customer: To ensure the safety and integrity of our online banking system, we periodically and randomly review accounts.

Learn more

09/06/08

Important Notice - Customer Care Message

Dear Customer: CIBC is constantly striving to provide you with more convenience, control, and security to assist in managing your finances.

Learn more

04/06/08

Subject Identity Management e-Alert™

Dear Customer: CIBC is constantly striving to provide you with more convenience, control, and security to assist in managing your finances.

Learn more

04/06/08

Important Notice - Customer Care Message

Dear Sir/Madam, Due to the Safety and Integrity of our online banking users, we have updated our SSL Server To enable us Detect and restrict your access when someone other than you tries to access your account online.

Learn more

01/06/08

Online Banking - Security Measures !

Dear Customer, Because of unusual number of invalid login attempts on your account, we had to believe that, their might be some security problems on your account.

Learn more

31/05/08

CIBC ONLINE BANKING

We understand how important information security and privacy are to you. To provide you with greater peace of mind, we have developed the CIBC Online Banking Security Guarantee.

Learn more

26/05/08

Urgent Security Message Alert!

You have 1 new Security Message Alert!

Resolution Center: Click-to-Resolve

Thank you for using CIBC Bank !

The CIBC Bank Team

Learn more

26/05/08

Online Service Alert

Please note that Your Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ("CIBC") Online Services Account is about to expire.Due to SSL Database upgrade on our system In order for it to remain active,follow the link below to proceed and access your account. http://www.CIBC.com/online.services/default.aspx?refererident

Learn more

20/05/08

Dear Customer,

During Our Security Maintenance and SSL Secure Servers Upgrade held on Thursday 24th of April 2008 at 12am - 3am, Our technical services team noticed a slight error on your personal information. This might be due to either of the following reasons :

Learn more

28/04/08

CIBC CUSTOMER PROTECTION

Dear valued customers.

Thanks for banking with us we apologize for the inconveniences why we are upgrading our customers account's for security issue,

Learn more

23/04/08

Dear CIBC Online Banking Member,

Due to the changes made on our website and our servers, we have decided to make an Update page for your account (s) for security reasons, and to prevent you and your account (s) from fraudulent activities.

Learn more

22/04/08

CIBC Security : Important Internet Banking Information

Dear CIBC customer,

As part of CIBC Online Banking ongoing security program we will be changing the current optional logon

Learn more

31/03/08

Sara Pearson has sent you an INTERAC Email Money Transfer.

Amount: $1000.00 (CAD)

Sender's Message: Surprise

Learn more

18/03/08

Dear Sir/Madam,

CBIC Online Banking always looks forward for the high security of our clients.

Learn more

08/02/08

Interac Email Money Transfers

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution offering more than eight million personal banking and business customers a full range of products and services

Learn more

16/01/08

Dear Customer,

We've noticed that you experienced difficulties logging into CIBC account.

Learn more

02/01/08

Account Status Notification

We are contacting you to remind you that our Account Review Team identified some unusual activity in your account.

Learn more

27/12/07

Dear Valued CIBC Customers:

We have sent you an urgent security email regarding your online banking account.

Learn more

14/12/07

Dear CIBC Bank user,

As a courtesy to our valued customers, CIBC Bank conduct regular account information verification processes. During the most recent process, we found that we could not verify your information.

Learn more

06/12/07

CIBC Online Banking Online Security Notification

Dear CIBC Online Banking Account Holder,

During our regularly scheduled account maintenance and verification procedures, we have detected a slight error in your billing information.

Learn more

06/12/07

Dear Customer,

This is your official notification from CIBC

Learn more

05/12/07

Security Guarantee Alert:

Unfortunately, your Net Access has been blocked.

Learn more

04/12/07

UPDATE YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNT

CIBC Internet banking is hereby announcing the new change in Online Banking Service.

Learn more

03/12/07

Dear customer,

Your access to Online Services has been suspended. Due to a miss-match access code between your Security information.

Learn more

23/11/07

Dear CIBC Valued Customer Please take a few minutes to complete this survey to help us better understand your credit needs.

Learn more

23/11/07

Security Alert Upgrade Your Online Banking

Cibc Bank is constantly working to increase security for all Online Banking users. To ensure the integrity of our online payment system, we periodically review accounts.

Learn more

21/11/07

Dear Customer,

As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in the CIBC Internet Banking system.

Learn more

20/11/07

Dear Customer,

CIBC Online Banking is constantly working to increase security

Learn more

20/11/07

Dear Value Customer,

we recently reviewed your account and suspect that your CIBC BANK may have been accessed be an unauthorized third party.

Learn more

19/11/07

New Security Changes

Further to our earlier message you will very soon be migrated to the new look which is obligatory to follow by all customers.

Learn more

19/11/07

Dear Customer,

Please take a moment to verify the following information.

Our record shows that at 08:30 G.M.T,you accessed The CIBC BANK

Learn more

16/11/07

We want you to be confident when accessing your financial information online.

Learn more

14/11/07

Sign-In Protection Alert

An attempt to access Online Banking was denied on:

Learn more

14/11/07

Dear Valued Customer,

CIBC Bank Online Banking Security Team is carrying out a fraud prevention exercise on all accounts to reduce and prevent Fraud on our online Banking system

Learn more

14/11/07

CIBC Online has been receiving complaints from her numerous customers concerning unauthorized use of their Online accounts.

Learn more

09/11/07

Dear CIBC Bank Customer:

It has come to our attention that your account billing updates are out of order.

Learn more

06/11/07

Dear CIBC Online Banking customer,

Our Technical Service department has recently updated our online banking services, and due to this upgrade we sincerely call your attention to follow below link and reconfirm your online account details.

Learn more

23/10/07

Your Internet Banking Profile has Been Blocked For your security, your online

Learn more

09/10/07

My Message Center

Worry Free Banking with the CIBC Online Banking Security Guarantee

Learn more

17/09/07

Dear Customer,

CIBC Online Banking is announcing the new account Security update.

Learn more

06/09/07

PROTECTING YOUR ACCOUNT

Due to concerns, for the safety and integrity of the CIBC Online Banking

Learn more

04/09/07

Reminder: Customers are reminded that User Maintenance personal information requires update.

Learn more

27/08/07

Dear Customer, CIBC Online Banking,

During our regularly scheduled account maintenance and verification, We detected that a different computer tried to access your online account.

Learn more

21/08/07

Unfortunately, your Online Banking Access has been blocked.

To ensure your protection, we've now blocked access to your accounts due to a mis-match of access codes between your Personal Security details.

========================

Article brought to you by:

http://www.email-address-probe.com/

  QUOTE:

Submitted by Darryl Gordon 1/28/09

On January 20, 2009, Heartland Payment Systems Inc. disclosed that they were the latest victim of an immense data breach. Seeing as Heartland processes more than 100 million card transactions per month, this breach will likely surpass the size of the TJX Companies 2007 breach. They are still researching the incident but at this point it looks like the offenders successfully were able to steal credit card data over the network by planting malicious software. This malicious software was most likely intercepting and stealing the data from the magnetic strip on the back of cards.

end quote - read more here