Sunday, November 01, 2009
Are you securing what thieves want to steal?
FirstMerit Bank has branches in Elyria, Streetsboro, and Westlake, Ohio. Each of these has suffered from a theft recently, but not of cash, but trash. Banks commonly have large bins that hold "trash" which contains confidential customer information. This trash is locked in the bins until it can be shredded. These bins weigh 500 pounds each but were stored outside the branches.
FirstMerit is now attempting to identify which customers had information in those bins so they can implement a data breach procedure.
FirstMerit Bank has branches in Elyria, Streetsboro, and Westlake, Ohio. Each of these has suffered from a theft recently, but not of cash, but trash. Banks commonly have large bins that hold "trash" which contains confidential customer information. This trash is locked in the bins until it can be shredded. These bins weigh 500 pounds each but were stored outside the branches.
FirstMerit is now attempting to identify which customers had information in those bins so they can implement a data breach procedure.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Amber Alerts for Bank Robbers
The post office has pictures of the "10 Most Wanted" and you may receive security alerts that have information from regulatory agencies and industry companies of people wanted for bad checks and the like. BOL even has many of these on our Alerts and Counterfeits page, and you can subscribe to receive notices from BOL CrimeDex and access their database. Recently, the FBI went to a new level so to speak, to help catch a bank robber.
Chad Schaffer had his bank robbing photo cast up on electronic billboards. He was the suspect in 14 bank robberies from six states including Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee. The FBI was seeking information on Schaffer for months. They teamed up with electronic billboard companies and within 24 hours of having his picture up in eight states, the FBI had what they needed. They were flooded with calls and tips and now have his name, description, information about his vehicle and where he is from. They know of his criminal record, including bank robbery, and law enforcement is on the lookout.
Much like an AMBER Alert, the FBI says a public service network of 1,000 electronic billboards in 40 states organized by major billboard companies and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America has led directly to the capture of 20 felons and fugitives and aided in arresting many others since it was created 18 months ago.
Schaffer was captured by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Sept. 13, 2009. A former state trooper recognized him from news media report. Schaffer had been on both the evening news and was profiled on the TV show, "America's Most Wanted" after being identified from the billboards.
The post office has pictures of the "10 Most Wanted" and you may receive security alerts that have information from regulatory agencies and industry companies of people wanted for bad checks and the like. BOL even has many of these on our Alerts and Counterfeits page, and you can subscribe to receive notices from BOL CrimeDex and access their database. Recently, the FBI went to a new level so to speak, to help catch a bank robber.
Chad Schaffer had his bank robbing photo cast up on electronic billboards. He was the suspect in 14 bank robberies from six states including Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee. The FBI was seeking information on Schaffer for months. They teamed up with electronic billboard companies and within 24 hours of having his picture up in eight states, the FBI had what they needed. They were flooded with calls and tips and now have his name, description, information about his vehicle and where he is from. They know of his criminal record, including bank robbery, and law enforcement is on the lookout.
Much like an AMBER Alert, the FBI says a public service network of 1,000 electronic billboards in 40 states organized by major billboard companies and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America has led directly to the capture of 20 felons and fugitives and aided in arresting many others since it was created 18 months ago.
Schaffer was captured by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Sept. 13, 2009. A former state trooper recognized him from news media report. Schaffer had been on both the evening news and was profiled on the TV show, "America's Most Wanted" after being identified from the billboards.
Security and the ADA
Does your bank employ the use of thumbprints from non-customers to deter fraudulent check cashing? Many banks do and there have been great success stories of lowered losses as a result of such a program. But here is one story that doesn't ring of success. While I am all for policies and procedures being followed, there is always room for common sense to avoid public relations nightmares like this.
Steve Valdez spoke on NBC, Fox and CBS news shows as well as Chicago radio. His wife banks at Bank of America. He has an account with a credit union. She wrote him a check which he went into a branch of Bank of America to cash. The teller looked at the photo ID provided, he offered two, but told him a thumbprint was needed. She confirmed this with the manager so they refused the check. The problem is, Steve Valdez was born without arms and uses prostetics. He couldn't provide a thumbprint under any circumstance.
Anne Pace who is a spokeswoman for the bank said that two photo IDs should have been sufficient. A bank regional vice president personally called Valdez to apologize. And while he said he didn't want the media attention, he did want the bank to better meet the needs of the disabled.
If you use thumb-printing in your bank, what would happen at your branches? Would two photo IDs be sufficient and would your staff know this could over-ride the required thumbprint, or at least in the case of someone not able to provide it?
Does your bank employ the use of thumbprints from non-customers to deter fraudulent check cashing? Many banks do and there have been great success stories of lowered losses as a result of such a program. But here is one story that doesn't ring of success. While I am all for policies and procedures being followed, there is always room for common sense to avoid public relations nightmares like this.
Steve Valdez spoke on NBC, Fox and CBS news shows as well as Chicago radio. His wife banks at Bank of America. He has an account with a credit union. She wrote him a check which he went into a branch of Bank of America to cash. The teller looked at the photo ID provided, he offered two, but told him a thumbprint was needed. She confirmed this with the manager so they refused the check. The problem is, Steve Valdez was born without arms and uses prostetics. He couldn't provide a thumbprint under any circumstance.
Anne Pace who is a spokeswoman for the bank said that two photo IDs should have been sufficient. A bank regional vice president personally called Valdez to apologize. And while he said he didn't want the media attention, he did want the bank to better meet the needs of the disabled.
If you use thumb-printing in your bank, what would happen at your branches? Would two photo IDs be sufficient and would your staff know this could over-ride the required thumbprint, or at least in the case of someone not able to provide it?
Friday, August 28, 2009
What is in your wallet?
I saw on an episode of NCIS, Abby commented that most U.S. $20 currency has traces of cocaine on them. When one is used as a tube to snort the stuff, it then comes in contact with other bills, gets into an ATM and leaves trace amounts on other bills and on the roller wheels and other parts of the ATM, contaminating other bills it didn't actually come in contact with. But that was Hollywood writing, right? Not really.
Yuegang Zuo, a University of Massachusetts professor, headed up a recent study where researchers looked at 234 U.S. bills and found that 90 percent had at least small traces of at least one illegal drug. Bills from larger cities, such as Baltimore, Boston and Detroit, were among those with the highest average cocaine levels, while the lowest levels were found in Salt Lake City. Maybe those writers in Hollywood know a bit more about what they write than I gave them credit for!
I saw on an episode of NCIS, Abby commented that most U.S. $20 currency has traces of cocaine on them. When one is used as a tube to snort the stuff, it then comes in contact with other bills, gets into an ATM and leaves trace amounts on other bills and on the roller wheels and other parts of the ATM, contaminating other bills it didn't actually come in contact with. But that was Hollywood writing, right? Not really.
Yuegang Zuo, a University of Massachusetts professor, headed up a recent study where researchers looked at 234 U.S. bills and found that 90 percent had at least small traces of at least one illegal drug. Bills from larger cities, such as Baltimore, Boston and Detroit, were among those with the highest average cocaine levels, while the lowest levels were found in Salt Lake City. Maybe those writers in Hollywood know a bit more about what they write than I gave them credit for!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Limping Bandit
Cecil Stephen Haire, 51, of Douglas, Ga., has had a limp since he was a child with polio. Many handicapped people seem almost invisible because so many people want to look the other way or not stare. That was in Haire's favor until recently.
Haire would enter a bank and even wait in line for a teller. He would then show a gun and demand money. He would also threaten to shoot them if they gave him a dye pack or tracking device. This also deterred most from setting an alarm immediately or attempting to follow him to get his direction. Haire would limp out of the bank. He wasn't running to get away. He could turn a few corners and just blend in.
Haire is distinguished now, by his limp. As he was making a recent getaway from a Charleston, S.C. bank a witness did record his Georgia license plate number as he left. Now he is charged with robbing 12 South Carolina banks, five in Florida, and three each in Alabama and Georgia. In 1986 Haire was sentenced to 20 years for armed robbery. He served only seven of those 20.
Cecil Stephen Haire, 51, of Douglas, Ga., has had a limp since he was a child with polio. Many handicapped people seem almost invisible because so many people want to look the other way or not stare. That was in Haire's favor until recently.
Haire would enter a bank and even wait in line for a teller. He would then show a gun and demand money. He would also threaten to shoot them if they gave him a dye pack or tracking device. This also deterred most from setting an alarm immediately or attempting to follow him to get his direction. Haire would limp out of the bank. He wasn't running to get away. He could turn a few corners and just blend in.
Haire is distinguished now, by his limp. As he was making a recent getaway from a Charleston, S.C. bank a witness did record his Georgia license plate number as he left. Now he is charged with robbing 12 South Carolina banks, five in Florida, and three each in Alabama and Georgia. In 1986 Haire was sentenced to 20 years for armed robbery. He served only seven of those 20.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
In Dedham, MA, Delroy G. Henry pushed his way into the Citizens Bank as it opened. He showed what appeared to be a pistol and wanted the employees to gather in a corner. As he was looking for the vault, the branch manager sent a text message to the Norwood branch manager and said what was happening. That triggered a call to the police who happened to be at a construction site 300 feet away.
Henry was exiting the bank a few minutes later and found about a dozen local and state police officers waiting for him.
Maybe cell phones, used responsibly, have a good place in the bank and need to be handy.
And in Peabody, MA, an FBI investigation resulted in Jeffrey Gautreaux being indicted on 17 counts of bank fraud, one count of access device fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Gautreaux, a Bank of America teller, sold confidential customer information to others who used the information and stole from the customer accounts. The balance information he could provide allowed "cherry picking" for maximum gain. Gautreaux was employed there from November 2004 to February 2006. He was selling this information and it was being accessed for about a year starting in July 2005.
Accounts that were affected were based in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. Unauthorized amounts taken from accounts ranged from $2,800 to $38,100. Gautreaux's share was $270,000. Gautreaux could serve up to 30 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine on each count of bank fraud. He could also serve 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for the access device fraud charge and two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.
Some of this information may serve as good examples in your next security seminar.
Henry was exiting the bank a few minutes later and found about a dozen local and state police officers waiting for him.
Maybe cell phones, used responsibly, have a good place in the bank and need to be handy.
And in Peabody, MA, an FBI investigation resulted in Jeffrey Gautreaux being indicted on 17 counts of bank fraud, one count of access device fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Gautreaux, a Bank of America teller, sold confidential customer information to others who used the information and stole from the customer accounts. The balance information he could provide allowed "cherry picking" for maximum gain. Gautreaux was employed there from November 2004 to February 2006. He was selling this information and it was being accessed for about a year starting in July 2005.
Accounts that were affected were based in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. Unauthorized amounts taken from accounts ranged from $2,800 to $38,100. Gautreaux's share was $270,000. Gautreaux could serve up to 30 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine on each count of bank fraud. He could also serve 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for the access device fraud charge and two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.
Some of this information may serve as good examples in your next security seminar.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Let's see, 1 + 1 = Dumb
Joseph Wade Northington, 27, of Roanoke, VA went to North Augusta, S.C. last January. When he returned to Virginia he was visiting a friend. The friend recognized Northington as the man he saw in the media, as a suspect in a bank robbery in North Augusta. The authorities were notified.
Northington had a scar on his face and this was a match for the suspect. But what nailed him was MySpace. Northington updated his MySpace page to say "One in the head still ain't dead!!!!!! On tha run for robbin a bank Love all of yall."
He has plead guilty and is now facing a fine of $250,000 and prison for seven years to life.
In Phoenix, AZ Jonathan Hock, 20, has been arrested for sexual assault. The victim was his girlfriend of two weeks. She told police she had passed out and wasn't aware she had been assaulted, until friends of hers said they saw it on the internet. Hock had planted a webcam in her bedroom and drank with her until she passed out. He streamed the video of the rape to the web, and provided commentary about it. When the prosecutor says "film at 11" he means it and Hock will have a difficult time explaining this. The video has been taken down.
And last, remember years ago when email and voice mail users were cautioned not to provide a message of "I'm on a week of vacation and out of town" because it was like painting a target on their property? Israel and Noell Hyman were on their way out of town. Being Twitter posters, they posted messages like "preparing to head out of town," "another 10 hours of driving ahead," and "made it to Kansas City." Isreal now believes these messages were used as clearance for the burglars who stole his video editing equipment from their home in Mesa, AZ.
While many people do think about their email auto-response messages, voice mail messages and not allowing newspapers or mail to build up while they are out of town, they are not considering the affects of social networking.
Technology has to be used wisely. In the first two parts of this post, this was a great result. In the third part, users need to think outside of the box and consider what their messages may say to a thief.
Joseph Wade Northington, 27, of Roanoke, VA went to North Augusta, S.C. last January. When he returned to Virginia he was visiting a friend. The friend recognized Northington as the man he saw in the media, as a suspect in a bank robbery in North Augusta. The authorities were notified.
Northington had a scar on his face and this was a match for the suspect. But what nailed him was MySpace. Northington updated his MySpace page to say "One in the head still ain't dead!!!!!! On tha run for robbin a bank Love all of yall."
He has plead guilty and is now facing a fine of $250,000 and prison for seven years to life.
In Phoenix, AZ Jonathan Hock, 20, has been arrested for sexual assault. The victim was his girlfriend of two weeks. She told police she had passed out and wasn't aware she had been assaulted, until friends of hers said they saw it on the internet. Hock had planted a webcam in her bedroom and drank with her until she passed out. He streamed the video of the rape to the web, and provided commentary about it. When the prosecutor says "film at 11" he means it and Hock will have a difficult time explaining this. The video has been taken down.
And last, remember years ago when email and voice mail users were cautioned not to provide a message of "I'm on a week of vacation and out of town" because it was like painting a target on their property? Israel and Noell Hyman were on their way out of town. Being Twitter posters, they posted messages like "preparing to head out of town," "another 10 hours of driving ahead," and "made it to Kansas City." Isreal now believes these messages were used as clearance for the burglars who stole his video editing equipment from their home in Mesa, AZ.
While many people do think about their email auto-response messages, voice mail messages and not allowing newspapers or mail to build up while they are out of town, they are not considering the affects of social networking.
Technology has to be used wisely. In the first two parts of this post, this was a great result. In the third part, users need to think outside of the box and consider what their messages may say to a thief.
Friday, June 05, 2009
P Poor Prior Planning
In Daytona Beach, FL Tuesday, police arrested two bank robbers who went into he Riverside National Bank and demanded money from a teller. Randall Fredric Walker 38, and Jason Warren Dietrich 35, began their getaway in a Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle however, ran out of gas. The two robbers then fled on foot. Police found the vehicle, which was registered to Dietrich and that lead them to both robbers.
I suppose if they're not smart enough to have gas in the getaway car, we can understand why they'd think robbing a bank was a good idea.
In Daytona Beach, FL Tuesday, police arrested two bank robbers who went into he Riverside National Bank and demanded money from a teller. Randall Fredric Walker 38, and Jason Warren Dietrich 35, began their getaway in a Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle however, ran out of gas. The two robbers then fled on foot. Police found the vehicle, which was registered to Dietrich and that lead them to both robbers.
I suppose if they're not smart enough to have gas in the getaway car, we can understand why they'd think robbing a bank was a good idea.
