Learn About Fraudulent Phone Calls and Text Messages

How this affects you
You should be very careful when and how you share sensitive information over the phone if you suspect that the call may be fraudulent. Please be aware of the following:

• Remember that if Sovereign Bank calls you, we will never ask you to provide your full credit, debit, or ATM card number, your card PIN, the security code on the back of your card, or your online banking login credentials.
• Any concerns that you have about a phone call or text message that appears to come from Sovereign Bank, but that you believe was sent by an imposter, should be reported to 877-SOV-BANK or your local branch.
• If you feel that you may have given sensitive information to an imposter posing as Sovereign Bank, you should call us immediately at 877-SOV-BANK or go to your local branch so that we can protect your account from fraudulent access.
• For more information on this and other scams, visit the Internet Crime Compliant Center at www.ic3.gov or learn more about the increase in vishing attacks at http://www.ic3.gov/media/2008/080117.aspx.

Vishing and SMShing Overview
Vishing is like Phishing with a "V" for Voice. Criminals call victims and fake the caller ID information of a legitimate number or send text messages requesting that the recipients call a fraudulent telephone number and provide personal and account information. The call appears to go to the legitimate company's call center or customer service area, but it is actually directed to imposters posing as the company.

SMShing is a form of phishing that uses mobile phone text messages, also known as Short Message Service (SMS), to lure victims into calling back a fraudulent phone number, visiting fraudulent Websites or downloading malicious content via phone or Web.

Learn what McAfee has to say about Vishing.