Dear Valued Customers,
We write to you today with a crucial warning about a rising threat in our community – smishing. As technology continues to advance, so do the tactics employed by cybercriminals aiming to compromise your financial security.
What is Smishing?
Smishing, a portmanteau of “SMS” (short message service) and “phishing,” is a devious social engineering attack that leverages fake mobile text messages to deceive individuals into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or even transferring money to cybercriminals. These deceptive messages often mimic legitimate communications from trusted entities, exploiting the unsuspecting nature of recipients.
Recent Incidents in Our Footprint
We regret to inform you that there has been a significant surge in smishing attacks within our community, affecting many of our valued customers. The fraudulent text messages typically claim to be notifications regarding transactions from major retailers, such as Walmart. The goal is to lure individuals into responding, opening a gateway for cybercriminals to obtain sensitive information.
A sample message has been shared with us, and it is crucial to be vigilant about any similar communications you may receive. The attackers often use scare tactics, claiming potential issues with your account, urging you to click on links, or worse, initiating a conversation via phone calls.
Recognizing the Threat
The fraudulent messages may be followed by phone calls from a number resembling our official 800 number, with the caller identifying themselves as being from CSI. Please note that these calls are not legitimate, as we will never contact you via text message or phone call to request sensitive information, such as card numbers, account numbers, social security numbers, or online banking details.
It is imperative to understand that there has been no data breach at Bank of Hillsboro. The recent surge in smishing attempts is a mass text effort sent to targeted phone numbers near our bank locations in hopes of connecting with Bank of Hillsboro customers. We want to reassure you that your security is our top priority, and we are taking proactive measures to address this issue.
Protecting Yourself
If you receive such a message, we urge you not to respond or provide any personal information. Bank of Hillsboro will never request sensitive information through text messages or unsolicited phone calls. In case you have inadvertently shared information with a potential scammer, please contact us immediately. We will take swift action to safeguard your accounts, such as disabling your card or online banking access.
Additional Security Measures
To further protect our customers, we have implemented a card monitor program that may contact you regarding specific transactions. However, it is important to note that these communications are solely focused on verifying the legitimacy of charges and will never request personal identification.
Stay Informed
We understand that incidents like these can be alarming, and we want to assure you that we are actively working to combat this threat. In the meantime, we will be updating our online banking platform with a warning about the ongoing smishing attacks. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly.
We appreciate your trust in Bank of Hillsboro, and we remain committed to ensuring the security and well-being of our valued customers. Together, we can thwart these cyber threats and continue to build a safer financial community.