** Effective immediately**

Hackers are using the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as an opportunity to steal or ransom data by luring users into clicking on malicious links in emails or social media posts about the virus, or in communications appearing to be from the “home office” while employees are working from home. With the surge in remote work increasing the cyber risk to organizations, as strictly online communication makes it easier for cyber criminals to initiate social engineering schemes, here are some tips to help protect your organization:

We review key points of the FFIEC's "Interagency Statement on Pandemic Planning," which provides guidance on business continuity management plans and identifies specific actions that a financial institution should take to mitigate the effects of a pandemic.

During tax season, you and your bank are more likely to see fraudulent tax refund checks. Be alert for checks that have been altered, counterfeited or stolen. Share these tips with your staff.

With the holiday season in full swing, many companies are hosting events with alcoholic beverages provided. Business owners and managers should recognize that there is a legal liability associated with providing alcohol at these types of events that is not entirely unlike the risks borne by your local tavern owner or caterer.

A PIN bulletin issued by the FBI reports cyber criminals are attempting to use social engineering and other schemes to bypass the multi-factor authentication security protocols commonly used by banks and other businesses. As "multi-factor authentication continues to be a strong and effective security measure,” a most important step to fortify defenses is to educate employees about the pervasive problem of online crime.

Webinar recording: Lisa Micciche and Ann Gardiner of ABA Insurance Services focus on critical best practices that bank staff can take so that they can actively protect their customers’ identities, accounts and funds.

Wire fraud losses continue to grow at astounding rates. It’s imperative that your staff understand the importance of your bank’s written agreements and following instructions and procedures in place. Taking shortcuts may cause claims.

Wire Fraud involving bank customers is exploding! Insurance carriers expect banks to exercise a minimum level of due care to prevent any crime, including wire fraud crime. Front line personnel are in the best position to both spot and prevent wire fraud; therefore, it is critical that banks undertake these best practices.

What do banks need to understand before establishing MRB relationships, including insurance considerations?

Our SafeTalk infographic lays out Wire Transfer Fraud statistics and information such as: What's the Anatomy of Wire Fraud? Where's it being reported? What's the cost? What's a bank's best defense?