About Phishing

Don’t take the bait!

WBZ covers the Melrose Cooperative Bank phishing scams.

Like many business and financial institutions throughout the country, Melrose Cooperative Bank in Melrose, Massachusetts has been recently targeted by “phishing” and “spoofing” scams. Customers and non-customers have alerted us of receiving fraudulent calls and emails appearing to originate from our Bank.

The calls, received mainly late at night, stated there was a problem with our bank cards. An automated message informed the recipient their card accounts had been suspended. Residents said the calls sounded quite official and real. Account numbers, card expiration dates and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) were among the information requested. (Phishing)

Reported fraudulent emails include a survey offering a $150 credit to your account and others seeking to gain MasterCard and online banking information. These fraudulent emails seek to send email recipients to web pages that look identical to the Melrose Cooperative Bank website but are not legitimate. (Spoofing)

Melrose Cooperative Bank is working with local and federal authorities and agencies to stop these bogus calls and bring down these imitation web links. Customers and non-customers who have contacted us directly are to be commended for assisting in stopping these scams.

While there have not been any security breaches at Melrose Cooperative Bank, we urge our customers and neighbors to not respond to these types of communications whether they are represented as coming from us or any other financial institution. No bank, including Melrose Cooperative Bank, will ever ask you to provide personal financial information over the phone or via email or text message. The best way to avoid becoming a phishing scam victim is to protect the confidentiality of your account and PIN information. By providing your PIN you’re inviting access to your account.

If you have any questions about the security of your Melrose Cooperative Bank accounts or about phishing in general, please don’t hesitate contact us directly at (781) 665-2500. You can click on the links below or visit the Federal Deposit Insurance Cooperation’s website at fdic.gov to learn more about protecting yourself and your family members from phishing attacks.

If you would like to report a phishing scam please use this form.

To report a lost or stolen ATM/Debit Card:
After Hours, 24/7, you can report a lost or stolen ATM/Debit Card by calling our Card Services Department at 1-800-754-4128. Also use this number if you have become a victim of a phishing or spoofing scam and have unwittingly provided your account number and PIN.

Tips to safeguarding your identity:
Protect Yourself From Phishers and Pharmers
Identity Theft and Protection: Prevention is the Best Defense