The Scheme

When a criminal can obtain your personal information or login data, they can sign up for credit cards, transfer money and complete other transactions to steal money, all while posing as you. Online, this type of fraud is often achieved via phishing scams, malware forcefully installed on your computer and phony websites made to look legitimate so they can steal your log-in credentials.

The Impact

Of the businesses that detected a fraud attempt in 2012, 71% reported that the scheme was an online account takeover with a fraudulent money transfer. (RSA-2013 Fifth Annual Online Fraud Benchmark Report) 

Implement common-sense prevention strategies such as:

• Keep fundamental computer security features up-to-date, including operating systems, firewalls and antivirus software
• Never download or install files from unknown resources
  
• Don't click on web ads or pop-ups
  
• Access the bank's website by typing or bookmarking www.nbarizona.com instead of clicking unexpected links
  
• Look for the "s" in https://www.nbarizona.com" when you arrive at the NB|AZ website
  
• Don't respond to unsolicited emails, open their links or view their attachments
  
• Be aware of inappropriate web surfing activity on computers you use to access online banking. (That is how a lot of malware is loaded onto your systems.)

The Scheme

As technology progresses, fraudsters enjoy easier access to equipment for producing fake checks. Such "bad checks" often accompany lottery scams, check overpayment scams, internet auction scams and secret shoppers scams. Check washing involves erasing details from a legitimate check. Once cleared of its details, criminals can use a washed check to make fraudulent withdrawals and other types of theft. These checks are most frequently stolen out of mailboxes when someone sends a bill payment.

The Impact

In 2013, 82% of organizations experienced actual or attempted check fraud. (2014 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey)  For businesses that experienced attempted or actual payment fraud in 2012, 43% cited credit cards as the method used. (2014 AFP Payments Fraud Survey)

Implement common-sense prevention strategies such as:

• Mail all bill payment checks directly from the post office
• Use a special "check writing" pen, available at most office supply stores
  
• Order checks with chemically-sensitive paper
  
• Pay your bills online
  
• Check your bank account daily to see what checks have cleared
  
• Recognize signs of bad checks, including: no perforations, missing check number, mismatching fonts, handwritten additions, missing address and stains or discoloration
  
• Be wary of a low check number (101-400 on personal checks or 1001-1500 for business checks); 90% of bad checks are written from accounts that are less than a year old.
• Use Positive Pay services available form NB|AZ

The Scheme

Criminals have advanced methods for stealing credit card data virtually. Once they have the information, they proceed to spend your money through either withdrawals or purchases. Credit card theft is one the most prevalent methods of fraud and can usually be attributed to a fake website where you attempt to make a transaction or phishing.

The Impact

65% of organizations detected transactions executed with their stolen credit cards in 2013. (RSA-2013 Fifth Annual Online Fraud Benchmark Report)  For businesses that experienced attempted or actual payment fraud in 2012, 43% cited credit cards as the method used. (2014 AFP Payments Fraud Survey)

Implement common-sense prevention strategies such as:

• Only make purchases from trusted, secure websites
  
• Set up purchase alerts for your credit card
  
• Review account activity frequently
  
• Set usage restrictions for transaction type and amount
  
• Never send financial information via regular email (it's insecure and easily compromised)