Fraud Information

ATM Security Tips

The story of the Vancouver woman who survived a terrifying attack at an ATM is a reminder to review some important safety precautions regarding the use of ATM’s and Night Deposit Facilities.

1. Observe your surroundings before approaching an ATM. If you are driving to an ATM, park as close as possible to the terminal. Take in the entire area from the safety of your car before getting out. If you see anyone or anything that appears to be suspicious, leave the area at once.
2. If an ATM is poorly lit or obstructed from view, go to another ATM.
3. When possible, take someone along with you when using an ATM, especially at night.
4. Have your card out and ready to use to minimize your time at the ATM. If the ATM is in use, give the person using the terminal the privacy you expect and allow them to move away before you approach the ATM.
5. Stand so that others behind you can't see your secret code or transaction amount. Once you have completed your transaction, take your money, card and receipt and immediately move away from the terminal.
6. If you see anyone or anything suspicious during your transaction, cancel your transaction and leave immediately. If anyone follows you after making an ATM transaction, go immediately to a crowded, well-lighted area and call the police.
7. Be suspicious if the ATM looks unusual or has any exposed wires. Some thieves place a fake box over the card slot that reads and records account and PIN numbers.

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

While identity theft continues to become more complex, there are simple things you can do to help protect yourself.

Understanding the common scams used to obtain personal information (like account numbers, passwords and Social Security numbers) can help you avoid them.

Common Identify Theft Schemes

• “Phishing:” Scammers pose as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication to try to gain personal information. An email may look as if it’s from Rivermark or another financial institution or payment service (Paypal) and include a link to a fraudulent look-alike web site in an attempt to get you to enter your confidential information.
  
  
• “Smishing:” Using cell phone text messages, scammers deliver a message that prompts your “immediate attention” and directs you to visit a website or call a phone number where you’re asked to enter personal information.
  
  
• “Vishing:” Phone calls designed to gain personal information, particularly using Voice over IP internet-based phone systems that make it possible to spoof a trusted phone number or hide the source of the call.
  
  
• Other: Scammers still use tried and true methods to obtain your information, including dumpster diving, credit/debit card skimming or trying to change the address of billing statements.

Protect Yourself:

• Be wary of any email, telephone call or text message that requests personal financial data. Rivermark will never send you an email or a text message requesting personal information.
• If you get a suspicious call, email or text message, don’t call the number provided. Contact Rivermark directly with the phone number included on your statements.
• Don’t click on any links or provide any information in emails that are suspicious or from an unknown source.
• Don’t trust a link from an e-mail just because the site it sends you to looks legitimate.
• Don’t let an email or caller intimidate you with claims of dire consequences if you don’t immediately provide information.
• Try not to fill out forms contained in emails.
• Use care when clicking on embedded internet links in text messages, particularly in an unexpected text message

Rivermark is committed to keeping you, and your identity, safe. We will never request personal information via an email, text message or phone call.

If You Become a Victim of Identity Theft

If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission recommends you take the following four steps as soon as possible. Keep a record of the details of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports.
2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
4. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Learn more.

For your ongoing protection, we recommend that you carefully review your account information using Online Banking or your statements. Report any fraudulent activity immediately by calling 503.626.6600 or 800.452.8502.

Grandparent Phone Scam

The Oregon Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Hotline has received several recent calls about the “emergency scam,” also known as the “grandparent scam.” The scam targets grandparents with fake stories about family members stranded in Canada in urgent need of money.

The scam usually sounds something like this:
“Hi grandma, it’s me, your favorite grandkid! I am up in Canada right now with my good friend John. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad, but I had an accident. John and I are in a little trouble and need your help. We hit a car and needed to hire an attorney. Can you please wire me $4,700 so I can pay my attorney and come home? Please don’t tell Mom and Dad! I promise to pay you back when I get home!”

Protect yourself by being wary of a caller who:

1. Requests that money be wired in a very short time frame;
2. Claims to be stuck in a foreign country;
3. Insists on secrecy; and/or
4. Gets some personal details wrong.

Before wiring money, independently call and confirm the whereabouts of their family members. Be highly skeptical of any phone request for money wires. Ask personal questions to the callers to confirm their identity, about such things as schools attended, pet names, presents given or received, or names of other family members.

Oregonians who think they have been a victim of the “grandparent scam” should call the Oregon Attorney General Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 (www.doj.state.or.us) and the Federal Trade Commission at 1-800-FTC-HELP (www.ftc.gov).