UPDATE: Wayne Bank issues fraud alert on Visa cards

Scam using e-mail, text and voice phone messaging Honesdale — Bill Davis, president and CEO of Wayne Bank is urging the public to be very cautious in responding to any phone and/or email correspondence regarding your personal, banking information. According to Mr. Davis, “The public is being deceived by a phone scam that asks for account information regarding a person’s Visa card by calling or texting cell phone users, as well as calling the home phone of residents in our local community. Wayne Bank would never request your personal account information (as we readily have this information available) or initiate this type of activity for any reason or for any service we offer.” One e- mail being circulated provides official- looking information about Visa’s commitment to fighting fraud, along with a false “Case ID Number” and a directive for cardholders to verify their identity via the Web in order to continue using online services. This e-mail is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive cardholder information and appears to be very official by stating that it is part of Visa’s multiple layers of security and other fraud monitoring tools as well as stating the account has been compromised and there has been suspicious activity. It even supplies a Case ID Number to validate your identity. This information is being sent at random to Internet users in various locations. It is important that everyone be aware that Wayne Bank would not initiate a call, or email a request to you to fill out a form or activate a link online. Do not engage in any type of communication of this nature. If you get a phone scam call on your home phone, immediately, after hanging-up, Dial *57 which causes the phone company computer system to log the phone call as ‘unlawful’, traces the call, and keeps a record in their system. To issue a complaint, call the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-382-4357. When you speak to an agent, let them know that you performed a *57 after the “scam” phone call. The agent will want to know your phone company, your phone number, and the time of the phone call. • Never provide personal financial information of any kind, including your Social Security number, account numbers or passwords over the phone or the Internet, if you did not initiate the contact. • Never click on the link provided in an e-mail in which you are unfamiliar. In addition to stealing your personal information, the link may contain a virus that can contaminate your computer. • Do not be intimidated by an e-mail or caller who suggests dire consequences if you do not immediately provide or verify financial information. • If you are unsure whether a contact is legitimate, go to the company’s Website by typing in the site address or using a page you have previously book marked, instead of using a link provided by the e-mail. • If you fall victim to identity theft, act immediately to protect yourself. Alert your financial institution. Place fraud alerts on your credit files. Monitor your credit files and account statements closely. • Report suspicious e-mails, text messages, or calls to the Federal Trade Commission through the Internet at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft or by calling 877-382-4357. Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC and operates Community Branches in Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties. For more information on Identity Theft visit waynebank.com .