Phishing, Vishing, Smishing, and Pharming
These terms all refer to attempts to fraudulently obtain sensitive information. If you receive an email, text message, phone call, or even have a pop up window on your computer or mobile device asking for personal or private information, it is almost always fraudulent. Many attempts are also made using standard mail received by the postal service. If you are not familiar with the sender, company, or many times it just sounds too good to be true, disregard/delete it.
Also, be very careful with email or text messages containing links. DO NOT follow or click any links unless you are certain that they are legitimate. Embedded links are one of the most popular malware distribution methods. Many forms of malware target the user's keystrokes in an attempt to get financial information. Diamond Bank will never send an email or text message asking for sensitive information.
Contact your local branch if you have any questions.
Card Skimming
Another form of fraud is the use of card skimmers. These electronic devices can copy the track information from your card when it is swiped. The track information can then be written to another card for fraudulent transaction use. Look closely at the card reader any time you get ready to swipe your card. If it looks like another device is affixed over the card reader, or it just doesn't look right, do not swipe your card! A card skimmer may be affixed to the opening of the card reader. Unfortunately, many large merchants do not verify identification for credit transactions, so it is now more important than ever to guard your card!
Also, be careful any time you enter your PIN number. If there is not a shield over the keypad, use your other hand to shield the keypad while entering your PIN. If a criminal is able to obtain both your card number as well as the PIN, fraudulent transactions can be performed very easily. There are also small hand-held card skimmers which are commonly used at retail locations where you give your card to an employee to pay for your items. Once they are out of sight with your card, it can be swiped through the small skimmer to obtain the track information, then your card is swiped to also pay for your items. Your card information can then be copied for fraudulent transaction use. Be very careful when handing your card to somebody else to be swiped. Restaurants are the most common place for this form of card skimmer to be used.
If you feel your card or account information has been compromised, immediately contact your local Diamond Bank branch or call 877-213-2265. For deactivating a lost, stolen, or compromised debit card after business hours, please call 866-546-8273.
How Diamond Bank is Protecting You
Diamond Bank recently issued new Debit Cards that contain an EMV chip to all of our customers. This technology provides much greater payment security when using your Diamond Bank Debit Card. Chip card transactions are much more difficult to fraud, therefore increasing the security of your debit card transactions. A nationwide migration to EMV is in progress, and many merchants are now equipped to perform chip card transactions.
Within the next few years, almost all merchants in the United States will be capable of processing these transactions. If a merchant is not able to process chip card transactions, you can still swipe your card just as before, but the transaction will not be secured with EMV technology.
As always, be careful in handling any payment cards. If you have any questions about your Diamond Bank Debit Card, please contact your local branch.