Security Tips

Due to the ever increasing fraud/scams involving funds transfers, please review the important information below before requesting a wire transfer.

Fraudsters know people are most vulnerable when they are desperate or scared, and they may use crisis and pressure tactics to prey on their victims.

If you received an email from your boss, co-worker, friend, etc., asking you to wire funds, make sure to speak to that person to confirm the request and verify the wire instructions with the legitimate beneficiary by phone to ensure no email was hacked.

Some examples of recent scams are:

If you answer YES to any of the questions below, it is possible that you have been misguided and are being taken advantage of financially. We recommend that you speak with one of our bank managers or officers before proceeding with your wire transfer request.

Scams are constantly changing! Take time to carefully think about the purpose of your wire transfer to protect yourself from becoming a victim to fraud.

The Dime Bank wants to help you keep your information safe. Protecting your personal information is a shared responsibility

Verify it's The Dime Bank. Fraudsters pose as credible companies "phishing" for your information. The Dime Bank will never call to ask for your online login information. If you are unsure, get the individual's name and hang up and call your local branch.

Do not open suspicious texts or emails or click on links within them. Fraudsters impersonate companies to get consumers to click links and provide personal information. Clicking on links can also infect your device with malware.

A password is the first line of defense against cybercriminals. We recommend creating a complex password that is difficult for others to guess but easy for you to remember. Use a different password for each site.

Monitor your accounts regularly, respond to fraud alerts, and report unauthorized transactions promptly.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that prevents access to computer files, systems, or networks and demands a ransom payment for their return.

The simplest way would be to avoid internet connectivity. LOL. Right! As that is not practical in our connected world today, what else can you do?

Auto-install updates. One of the most important controls to protect against ransomware is updating your devices and apps, including browsers (ie: Internet Explorer, Chrome, Edge, etc).

Most software companies regularly release updates for security loopholes. Computers and laptops are configured to scan, patch, and update automatically. Unfortunately, not applying the updates leaves you open to attack. Many ransomware and other malware attacks take advantage of out-of-date software.

One of the most common ways that computers are infected with ransomware is through social engineering. Remember to exercise common sense with suspicious email, websites, and other scams. If it seems suspect, it probably is.

Be unpredictable. There are two common password attacks, brute force and dictionary attacks. Both  involve trying a sequence of numbers and/or common words like 123456, hence, trying to crack a password using “brute force” or common “dictionary” words. To minimize this type of exposure, don’t make your passwords predictable.

Be creative. Related to being unpredictable, consider creating a phrase and use the first or second letter of each word, or substitute a special character for letters and/or numbers. You can use a password generator which provides creative and secure password options.

Be long. The longer the password, the more possible combination, and permutations of the password there are, and thereby the safer they generally are. However, don’t forget the first two tips, because long common words and sequences of numbers are still easier to crack!

Be selfish. Believe it or not, one of the more common reasons passwords are compromised is because people share their credentials. Quite simply – never, ever share your password(s)!

Be mindful. Think before you click. Phishing is where you receive an email or text message asking for you to confirm your details or take some other action where you need to enter your personal credentials. These types of acts are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can look very legitimate, like an email from someone you know. As a good rule of thumb, unless you make a request, don’t ever enter your credentials. Or, if you have any doubts, contact the organization requesting the information directly.

Be unique. You should use different passwords for different logins – yes, a different password for every login. Having a unique password for all your accounts helps prevent that if or when one is compromised the others remain protected. Pro tip: If you can’t remember all your passwords, consider using a secure password manager.

Use the built-in firewall on your computer.

Turn on automatic updates for ALL software you use, including your internet browser(s).

Use antivirus and anti-malware software  and keep it current.

Create a long phrase for your password instead of a short password.

Don’t open suspicious attachments or click unusual links in email, tweets, posts, online ads, messages, or attachments. 

Browse safely.  Don’t visit illicit sites.  They may contain malware or a download that contains malware. 

Refrain from streaming or downloading movies, music, books, or applications that are not from a trusted source.  Pirated material may include malware.

Avoid malware and viruses by only using external devices you own or receive from a trusted source.  

• .exe files can also be disguised in .zip folders - if you receive an email with a .zip, and open the folder to find an .exe, you shouldn't run the file.
• Be careful, some attachments might show the icon for a document, PowerPoint, etc., but they still have the .exe extension.
• Just because a file isn't an .exe, doesn't mean it's not malicious - there have been instances of macro-viruses that hide themselves inside of Office Documents.

If someone says you can only pay by wiring money, putting money on a gift card, or loading money on a cash reload card - it is a scam! Whether someone tells you to pay to claim a prize, deal with tax issues from the (so-called) IRS, says your accounts have been compromised, or asks you to help someone out of trouble, nobody legitimate is ever going to say you have to pay by wiring them money or by putting it on an untraceable gift card of any type. If you comply with their request, you stand to lose a lot of money.

If you receive a phone call, text, email, or letter with this type of request, it is a scam. If someone tells you they are from The Dime Bank and you are unsure, ask for their name and phone number, hang up, and call us immediately at 570-253-1970 or toll free at 1-888-4MY-DIME (1-888-469-3463). If the call was truly from The Dime Bank, you will reach us by calling us back on our published phone numbers.

Please help us safeguard your information. We’re here to help you in any way we can.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning that as tech support fraud evolves, the number of people falling victim to the crime is on the rise, and so are financial losses. Investigators are seeing an emerging trend in which tech support scammers are convincing victims that their financial accounts have been compromised and their funds need to be moved so the fraudsters can gain control over the victims’ computers and finances.

In tech support scams, fraudsters pose as customer or tech support representatives from reputable well-known tech companies. They may call, email, or text their targets and offer to resolve such issues as a compromised email or bank account, a computer virus, or a software license renewal. Once they convince victims that their financial accounts have been compromised and their funds need to be moved, they gain control over the victims’ computers and ultimately their finances.

Victims are often directed to wire or transfer their funds out of brokerage or bank accounts to the fraudsters accounts. Scammers are also asking victims to install free, remote desktop software on their computers to allow them to monitor, manipulate, and perform actions within the victims’ computers such as opening virtual currency accounts to facilitate the liquidation of their genuine bank accounts.

• Legitimate customer, security, or tech support companies will not initiate unsolicited contact with individuals.
• Ensure computer anti-virus, security and malware protection is up to date and settings are enabled to reduce pop-ups.
• Be cautious of customer support numbers obtained via online searching. Phone numbers listed in a “sponsored” results section are likely boosted as a search of Search Engine Advertising.
• If a pop-up or error message appears with a phone number, don’t call the number. Error and warning messages never include phone numbers.
• Resist the pressure to act quickly. Criminals will urge the victim to act fast to protect their device or account.
• Do not give unknown, unverified persons remote access to devices or accounts.
• Do not download or visit a website that an unknown person may direct you to.
• Do not trust caller ID readings as criminals often spoof names and numbers to appear legitimate. Let unknown numbers go to voice mail and do not call unknown numbers back.
• Never trust any company-tech or otherwise-requesting personal or financial information.