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We have recently received reports of individuals receiving a "vishing” phone call or text message that appears to be from Old Point National Bank. A recorded message is being used to convince individuals to either call a toll free number or press 1 and provide sensitive banking information such as your card number and pin number. DO NOT respond to this type of call. This is an attempted fraud.
Please be aware that just because your CALLER ID may show the bank’s telephone number, the call is not necessarily from the bank. Phone numbers, like websites may be "spoofed” (designed to look like something they really are not.)
If Old Point originates a call to you, then you should only be asked to provide enough information to verify your identity to us. We will never ask you for your complete account number or social security number, or for your PIN, via an email or an unsolicited call. If you have ANY concerns about the validity of any call supposedly being made from Old Point, please call us directly by calling your local branch or our main number, 757-728-1200. |
What is Vishing?
Using automated calling systems, criminals call random phone numbers in an area and threaten account deactivation or refer to another urgent security situation. You may be asked for your account number, Visa Check card number or other personal information, which can then be used to perpetrate fraud.
REMEMBER
If Old Point is calling YOU, we should already have that information, and would not ask you to provide it. If you have any doubts about a phone call you receive, hang up and call a number that is listed for the bank in the phone book or on bank communication. That way you are calling a number that you are sure is legitimate.
Protect yourself against "phishing” and "vishing”
Financial Institutions, Federal Agencies, retailers and credit card companies have seen their Web sites copied by criminals intent on tricking individuals into providing personal financial information by responding to an official-looking, but entirely fictitious e-mail.
Exercise some simple precautions:
- Never respond to an unsolicited e-mail or telephone call that asks for detailed personal financial information.
- Report any suspicious e-mails or phone calls you receive to the proper authorities. At a minimum, verify the legitimacy of the e-mail by contacting the company using a different contact resource. Avoid using phone numbers or e-mail links provided in the suspect e-mail.
- Use the Internet Crime Complaint Center as a resource if you think you have received a phishing e-mail or have been directed to a suspect Web site. Their e-mail address is www.ifccfbi.gov.
- Resist the urge to immediately respond to a suspicious e-mail or phone call despite urgent or exaggerated claims.
- Read the text of the e-mail several times and ask yourself why the personal information is being requested.