Special Alerts

October 13, 2009:

Please be aware of an ongoing scam in west Kentucky involving fraudulent text messages. A text is sent to a mobile phone customer with a message similar to the following - "Your debit card has been deactivated, call XXX-XXX-XXXX to reactivate." When the number is called, the caller is asked to provide their debit or ATM card information, including card number, PIN, expiration date and three-digit security code on the back of the card. Once the scammers get this information, they can use it to make counterfeit cards.

Don't be a victim of this scam! DO NOT RESPOND to these text messages. If you receive one of these messages, contact your nearest First Kentucky Bank office or the bank that issued your card.

October 27, 2009:

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has become aware of e-mails appearing to be sent from the FDIC that are asking recipients to download and open a "personal FDIC insurance file" to check their deposit insurance coverage. These e-mails are fraudulent and were not sent by the FDIC. The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission.

Currently, the subject line of the fraudulent e-mails includes the wording "check your Bank Deposit Insurance Coverage." The e-mails state: "You have received this message because you are a holder of a FDIC-insured bank account. Recently FDIC has officially named the bank you have opened your account with as a failed bank, thus, taking control of its assets."

The e-mails ask recipients to "visit the official FDIC website" by clicking on a hyperlink provided, which appears to be related to the FDIC and directs recipients to a fraudulent Web site. The Web site includes hyperlinks that appear to open forms. However, it is believed that clicking on the hyperlinks will cause an unknown executable file to be downloaded. While the FDIC is working with the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) to determine the exact effects of the executable file, recipients should consider the intent of the software as a malicious attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to online banking services or to conduct identity theft. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the Web site or download the executable files provided on the Web site.

November 2, 2009:

ICBA Offers Tips to Help Consumers Manage Checking Accounts Wisely and Guard Against Overdraft Fees

Washington, D.C. (November 2, 2009)—Many of our nation’s more than 8,000 community banks offer overdraft services to their customers who would otherwise inadvertently overdraw their accounts and thus become subject to fees and complications. To ensure that consumers have the information they need, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today issued the following tips to help consumers manage their accounts wisely so they can avoid overdraft fees.