BankersOnline Security Spotlight

A Happy and Prosperous New Year to you from all of us at BankersOnline! In this first edition of Security Spotlight for 2009, we report on an astounding number of robberies. One that didn't get away was the "Empty Pockets Bandit," who was caught red-handed - literally! Check out our CrimeDex story where we report on a counterfeit international money order scam. As more people are affected by the ailing economy, you need to keep increased vigilance for scammers, counterfeiters and especially for robbers
Dye Pack Explodes! Caught Red-Handed!
There are a shocking 102 robbery suspects posted right now on BOL's Robbery page. California has the most posts this time. After two unsuccessful attempts to rob two different banks, the "Empty Pockets Bandit" finally walked away with an undisclosed amount of cash after robbing a Bank of America branch in Laguna Niguel, California. He showed a gun after handing a demand note to the teller, then fled with the cash. A red dye pack that was included with the cash exploded when he got outside. Authorities believe an accomplice on a cell phone may have tipped the suspect off during the first two attempts, which could explain why he ran off without the cash both times.

Texas comes in a close second with a total of 13 suspects posted. Houston had a rash of team robberies, one at Southern Pacific Credit Union. Three men entered the bank and one man guarded the door while the gunman and another suspect jumped over the counter and demanded money. The tellers complied and the gunman stuffed the money in his pockets; then all three suspects fled the scene. In another team robbery, two robbers entered Compass Bank and one of them approached a teller with a note that threatened a gun and demanded money while the accomplice stood back a few steps to observe. After the teller turned over some cash, the team fled the bank on foot.


Check our Bank Robbery page for photos and information on all the latest robbery suspects and don't forget to order your "No Hats" signage as featured in the NBC Nightly News report on bank robberies.Protect your institution by posting simple signage prohibiting hats, hoods and sunglasses. The effectiveness of this simple sign on your door is unsurpassed. Order NOW in the Banker Store.



It's time to Update! The 2009 ID Checking Guide will be available in February.


ORDER NOW
Pre-Order Edition 2009 now.
Quantity discounts available.
Get the Newest 8th INTERNATIONAL EDITION.Four different institutions warn of mystery shopping scams this month. Suffolk County National Bank and Black Hills Community Bank both reported counterfeit official checks in connection with a mystery shopping scam with a phone number originating from Canada. The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been selected to represent the company as a mystery shopper. The letter explains that the enclosed check is to be used to make purchases and to transfer money through a nationally known wire service. BankChampaign reported a similar scam involving fictitious cashier's checks. First National Bank of Lipan reported counterfeit cashier's checks being presented in connection with an internet based mystery shopping scam and overpayment scam. Items presented to date have been made payable in large dollar amounts to various equipment and vehicle dealers. Email correspondence may contain a sender email address of lyordwilliams13@aol.co.uk. Recipients are instructed to wire the funds to the United Kingdom.

Go toBOL's Alerts & Counterfeits to read about other alerts.
Don't forget to check out our new BOL Browser Toolbar with itsAlerts & Counterfeits widget, which will help you quickly browse and access an extended database of A&C activity. This tool allows you to search for alerts by keyword, state, type of alert or by date.


Mom's sentence is in. Diedre Blackburn planned and carried out bank robberies near Austin, TX with her 16 year old son. Read the Bank Security Blog for the details.


Security and IT may be different departments, but Security has to touch every other department in one or more ways. In the BOL Geek Blog the Dec. 2, 2008 post has attributes that speak to a lo-jack for bank property like laptops and cameras. Since Security is the liaison with law enforcement, you should understand the capabilities of devices that can not only tell you where they are, but take pictures of the thieves who stole bank property.

Available in the Banker Store ...



Compact Locking Cash Drawer




BVL Vol. 28: FACTA: Responding to Identity Theft


Card Fraud: Traditional to Cyber