Security Tips

Queenstown Bank of Maryland prides itself on securing our customers information. The following security tips will help you safeguard your information.

Recent and Popular Scams 

  • Secret Shopper Scam
  • Debit Card Scam
  • Phishing Scam
  • Ebay Scams
  • Survey Scam
  • Foreign Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam
  • Tax Bonus Scam

General Banking Security Tips 

Identity Theft 

Recent and Popular Scams

Secret Shopper Scam

This is real fraud that typically costs its victims between $500 and $6,000! Consumers are being warned about a new scam involving phony advertisements for employment as a secret shopper, mystery shopper, or investigative shopper. These tips about mystery shopper jobs could save you money and heartache later on.

The scam might work this way: People respond to an ad looking for a mystery shopper or a secret shopper. When they contact the company about the position, they are told they can earn money by purchasing items at different stores or dining at different restaurants. The company then sends an employment packet. The packet includes business evaluation forms, a training assignment, and a cashier's check, often ranging between $500 and $6,000. The training assignment is to cash the check, pose as a customer, and wire the money to a foreign address. Most often it's Canada. The scam is that the check is fake. The check bounces after the person wires the money, leaving the person liable for the fake check. People who apply for the secret shopper or mystery shopper jobs are told by the company that they have only 48 hours to complete the assignment or they will lose the job. This creates a sense of urgency.

Local police say, "Consumers need to know that a legitimate company will never send you a cashier's check out of the blue or require you to send money to someone you have never met. The scam artists use realistic looking documents, the 'secret' nature of the job, and the 48-hour deadline to pressure consumers into cashing the check and wiring the money quickly before the bank or the consumer can determine it was a fake check. By then, it's too late." Fake cashiers check scams come in many forms. Generally,

  • Do not depend on the funds from a cashier's check from a source you do not know.
  • There is usually no legitimate reason for someone who is giving you money to ask for money to be wired back or wired to a third party. Don't do it.
  • Do not rely on the fact that the check was accepted for deposit by their financial institution as evidence of the check's authenticity. It can take up to a week or much longer for a financial institution to determine whether a check is good, especially if the check is from an institution located outside the United States.

Consumers are responsible for the deposited fake check, even if it was a cashier's check. When the check bounces, the bank deducts from the consumer's account the amount that was credited with the fake check--often with charges added. The bank will not take the loss.

Debit Card Scam

A new card network is offering consumers the opportunity to use any card with a magnetic strip, as a debit card.
To apply for this service, you must provide them with the following information;

  • Name
  • Address
  • Account number of card
  • Bank Routing Number
  • Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Please always keep in mind when applying for any service, no one should ever ask for your PIN, nor should you ever give out your PIN to anyone.

Phishing Scam

What is Phishing?

There's a new type of Internet piracy called "phishing." It's pronounced "fishing" and that's exactly what these thieves are doing: "fishing" for your personal information. What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards.

In the worst case, you could find yourself a victim of identity theft. With the sensitive information obtained from a successful phishing scam, these thieves can take out loans or obtain credit cards and even driver's licenses in your name. They can do damage to your financial history and personal reputation that can take years to unravel. But if you understand how phishing works and how to protect yourself, you can help stop this crime.

Tips to Avoid Phishing

  • Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for your personal financial information.
  • Do not use the links in an e-mail to get to any web page, if you suspect the message might not be authentic.
  • Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that ask for personal financial information.
  • Always ensure that you're using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser.
  • Regularly check your bank, credit and debit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate.

(If you have given out your bank account information, report the theft of this information to the bank as quickly as possible.)

EBay Scams

When shopping on EBay or any other online auctions, be careful if you receive a check for more than the bid. They may request you return the difference by money order or wire. This is probably a fraudulent scheme and the check will be returned as counterfeit and unpaid. 

When bidding on EBay, all correspondence must be received through their EBay account.

EBay is a secured website and does not accept responsibility for any sales not through their account.

If you receive checks payable to you, with instructions to keep part of the money for your trouble and send the difference back in a money order or wire, chances are great that it is a scam.

Survey Scam

Most Financial Institutions do not give out money or prizes for completing surveys. If you should receive this request, either by mail or e-mail, please phone your financial institution to verify its validity.

Foreign Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam

Beware of telephone calls from people stating that you have won a rather large sweepstakes. The sweepstakes rules require $900 in cash before they will issue the check. Refuse to give them the money. Please be conscious of this scam and never give money or your account number for anyone to deposit your "sweepstakes" winnings or for any other reason.

Tax Bonus Scam

Another scam to be aware of is an e-mail from someone claiming to be from the IRS and offering you a "tax bonus" for submitting your taxes on time. They may request your account number and information to deposit the "bonus". Please be aware that the IRS does not offer a "tax bonus".

General Banking Security Tips

ATM's

While ATM's have added some convenience to our lives, a few risks have also popped up. ATM's give criminals another opportunity to get at your money, and you should take steps to reduce your risk. Most of us can stay out of trouble with simple common sense, but you should periodically review some proven tactics. Follow these simple tips, and you'll improve your odds against the scamsters.

  • Look over the machine before inserting your card. If you see something that looks unfamiliar on the machine, it could be part of an ATM scam. Card skimmers (external readers) and hidden cameras can be used to compromise a bank account. Bottom line: if it looks funny, look for another ATM machine. Remember, skimmers can also be placed on gas station pumps or anywhere else you slide a card.
  • Skimmers may be installed on ATM machines, and sometimes you can’t even notice them. A small device goes over the normal card reading slot and reads your card's magnetic stripe.
  • Use secure ATM machines, ones that are equipped with video surveillance or inside of a bank lobby. They're less likely to be tampered with. Thieves have to take more risk installing skimmers where there are security cameras.
  • We've all heard the stories about carjacking. Think how much more attractive you are as a target with cash-in-hand. When your car is stopped and you're picking up cash, just take the half-second required to lock your car doors and keep crooks out.
  • Have someone accompany you to the ATM if possible.
  • Fill out banking forms ahead of time.
  • Spend a minimum amount of time at the ATM.
  • As you approach the ATM, be aware of your surroundings. If you notice something or someone suspicious, go to another ATM or come back later.
  • Do not use an ATM that appears unusual looking or offers options with which you are not familiar or comfortable.
  • Make sure the lighting around the ATM is adequate, if not, go to another ATM and notify the financial institution.
  • Make sure your cars passenger windows are up and all doors are locked when using drive-up ATM's.
  • Be wary of people trying to "help" you with your ATM transaction.
  • Do not allow people to look over your shoulder as you enter your pin code. Cover the ATM keypad as you're entering your PIN -- just in case there's a hidden camera around. And be cautious of people around you with cell phones since many of them are now equipped with camera/video capabilities.  
  • Do not re-enter your pin if the ATM "eats" your card - contact a bank official immediately.
  • DO NOT write your pin number on the back of your card.
  • Do not display cash, pocket it and count it later in your car or at home.
  • Immediately report all lost or stolen cards to your bank.
  • Never share your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or give it out over the telephone even if the caller identifies himself or herself as your banker or a police officer.
  • Closely monitor your bank statements, as well as your balance and immediately report any problems to your bank.

Parking Lot

  • Be alert to your surroundings and other people around you.
  • Never display cash in a financial institution parking lot, if possible not even a "bank bag".
  • When you conduct banking business during the evening hours, if it is dark, have someone accompany you.
  • Park as near as possible to your destination, such as the branch entrance, ATM or night depository.
  • Establish your banking relationship with a financial institution that provides an obviously safe and secure environment, including the parking lot.

Tips for Safeguarding Your Information

  • Do not give your social security number or other personal credit information about yourself to anyone who calls you.
  • Tear up or shred receipts, bank statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.
  • Do not mail bills from your mailbox with the flag up. Take them to a US Postal drop box or your local Post Office.
  • Retrieve mail promptly from your mailbox.
  • Sign up for direct deposit whenever possible.
  • Notice when monthly bills come in the mail. If they are delayed, contact merchant or credit card company for the reason of delay or the date of the mailing.
  • Review your monthly accounts regularly for any unauthorized charges.
  • If your account activity looks suspicious or important mail is delayed, check with the merchant or biller immediately.
  • If fraud is detected, contact credit bureaus and take advantage of all recourse and protection periods.
  • Should you need to contact any of the three Credit Reporting Agencies the numbers and websites are as follows:
  • Check your credit report at least once a year to look for suspicious activity.
  • Sign up for online banking and review your statements on a regular basis.
  • Use hard to guess unique passwords and change them regularly.
  • Do not write down your pin number or password. If you cannot remember it and must write it, disguise it as a sentence or a telephone number.
  • Write down the contents of your wallet in case of theft.
  • Report loss of credit and debit cards or driver's license immediately.
  • Report loss of your checkbook immediately to your financial institution.
  • Do not discard a computer without deleting all your files first.
  • Choose to do business with companies you know are reputable, particularly online. When making an online purchase, look in the lower right hand corner of your browser window. If you see the icon of a lock, that means you are dealing with a secure site.
  • Beware of e-mail attachments. Especially if they are from someone you don't know and even if they are from someone you do know.

Identity Theft

You Can Fight Identity Theft

Here's how:

  • Never provide personal financial information, 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 you believe is fraudulent. It 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 believe the contact is legitimate, go to the company Web site by typing in the site address directly or using a page you have previously book marked, instead of a link provided in the e-mail.
  • If you fall victim to an attack; 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 or calls to the Federal Trade Commission through the Internet at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/, or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.

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