Hacker allegedly taps into customer records of local financial institution

Friday, April 25, 2008
By Nick Schneider, Assistant Editor

After gaining the customer data, the hackers reportedly began sending out e-mails to names within the database with a link that forwards them to a "bank-looking website." Once at the bogus site, they are requested to divulge personal information such as bank account numbers and other personal identification numbers.

"You never give out personal information. If you are dealing with a financial institution or a credit card company you need to call them and don't use the Internet to do it. Call and talk with a natural person," Tharp said.

The town marshal, who said he did not want to specify which financial institution was involved in the scheme, advised that if anyone has followed the instruction on a suspicious e-mail they should contact law authorities or the proper business officials.

His best advice to anyone who gets a questionable e-mail from a financial institution is to "use common sense" and don't answer the e-mail.

"Your banks or your financial institutions are not going to contact you through e-mail wanting personal information. They already have the information," he said. "If the bank does have a problem, the bank will contact the customer."

Tharp added, "Most of us bank locally, so (if you are not sure) just go to your bank. Just use common sense because there are all kinds of people out there trying to get your personal information. One little slip up can wreck your credit."

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I'm pretty sure it was Farmers and Mechanics. I received one of the bogus emails and I haven't had an account with them for years.

-- Posted by Cher on Mon, Apr 28, 2008, at 3:27 PM

my wife got one of these emails to an email account that she did not have on file with online banking, so i don't think anyone "hacked" any database at the bank. it was a phishing expedition...

-- Posted by corbinsa on Mon, Apr 28, 2008, at 4:43 AM

I received a spam email from Farmers & Mechanics. I was smart enough to know this was spam, only because I do not have any accounts there personally, (I believe my name is on one of my grandmothers accounts) so I knew better than to click on it.

-- Posted by gcreader on Sun, Apr 27, 2008, at 1:06 PM

I thought the law was if any breech of private information occurs, all customers must be notified. Besides, if the hackers were able to get inside the bank's computer system, why would they need to send out emails? Looks like they would already have access to sensitive information.

-- Posted by mcrich on Sun, Apr 27, 2008, at 9:12 AM

It happens to many banks. Here in Hamilton County (north of Indy) - it has happen with 2 major banks. The one that looked like my bank almost fooled me - except my bank does not have my email addy. Do not trust any incoming email that requires you to login and give private info.

-- Posted by gary g on Sun, Apr 27, 2008, at 9:06 AM

Do we not have a right to know which financial institutions security was compromised? Anytime this happens it appears the main concern is only to save face.

-- Posted by dorindaJ on Sat, Apr 26, 2008, at 10:41 AM

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