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Hackers Cash $9M in Forged Checks with New Online Scam
High-tech criminals have apparently adopted a decidedly low-tech methodology in the latest banking scam. Hackers are forging and cashing checks in order to slip past their victims' defenses. Rather than snagging passwords and initiating electronic transfers, these scammers are hacking into sites that store images of checks for banks, check cashing outlets and other businesses. From these images, hackers are able to harvest routing and account numbers, as well as the account holder's signature. Then, with some commercially available software and a consumer-grade printer, they are able to create fake checks that are often only identified as such after they've cleared and the crooks have made off with the money.The scam was discovered by SecureWorks, which is now working in close conjunction with the FBI to identify and hopefully apprehend the thieves, who have cashed $9 million in fake checks across 1,200 different accounts. It's believed the responsible group is based in Russia, which could make charging and arresting suspects difficult. With pen-and-ink checks becoming increasingly unnecessary in our digital world, this is just another reason to forgo traditional paper checks in favor of more secure e-checks. [From: Boston Globe]
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Comments
12
Subscribe to commentsjudiandstevegJul 28th 2010 10:41PM
that's quite a bit, wonder if they are greedy, or if they could spare a couple hundred.
SteveJul 28th 2010 10:45PM
Never threaten. Either act or don't, but never signal your next move. You are nothing but a blow hard otherwise.
MarkJul 28th 2010 11:02PM
They put a condom on it?
hostedJul 29th 2010 12:32AM
You're kidding me - "holds you hostage 'till you send them money..." That's the biggest load of crap I ever read lol. No trojan could possibly 'hold you hostage' especially in a sense to demand a ransom for your computer's release. There are plenty of bank stealing trojans that record/dig up your financials if that's what you're referring to.
ex: Zeus, SpyEye, etc.
sothbdrJul 29th 2010 2:15PM
Fry the lazy lowlifes beyond recognition. That's despicable and we can thank the INTERNET and its piss poor planning for all of this, whatever the excuse is..
kaviengJul 31st 2010 1:33AM
These are a variation to the theme "marketing and capitalism". In aggressive marketing the credit card companies apply the same principles. They do not let you see the fine print or hire sophisticated legal devices to bypass their legal and moral obligations to you whilst they bleed your accounts, wages and your ability to earn a decent living when you resist their 'scams'. But because they have a lobby, have lawyers and fancy names like they do they are called legitimate.
Th meltdown of the US banking, financial and housing (mortgage) sector owes its origins to this trick. You will never stop motivated people from places like Russia and China cheating you.
Radio free America was bombarding them with propaganda of how things were easy, free and ripe for the picking when they were communists. Now they are no longer communists they find that mirage and propaganda a fraud and are determined to have the good life like Ddick Cheney out of Katrina relief money and Goldmans out of your mortgages.
SteveJul 29th 2010 6:37AM
I COULDN'T AGREE MORE... Banks are already thieving the hell out of you with ridiculous fees and low savings rates..... "paperless" is ALL ABOUT saving money for them. If you get scammed by one of these criminals, all they'll have to say is "sorry". Then somehow YOU'LL still be responsible for covering the losses that their hacked systems caused.
danzillo4Jul 29th 2010 6:45AM
One such scammer is the father of the guy who is marrying Chelsea Saturday! I think he did about 7 yrs Federal time! So the greed knows no boundaries..Pops was a frequent guest of the Clintons at the white house....no doubt he will attend the wedding as well....
AngelaJul 29th 2010 9:54AM
In my next life, I'm going to be a lying, conniving, theiving, scamming heathen. Tying to do the right thing with selflessness, and getting back on the right track when I stumble, ain't gettin' me nowhere.
jcolexxxxxJul 29th 2010 12:10PM
my bank account was compromised twice on the internet . my bank investigated and both times refunded the money that was ripped off
ccJul 29th 2010 10:22PM
How are they doing this? Don't you need an ID to cash a check?
MarkJul 30th 2010 2:22PM
Not necessarily... around eight months ago, I paid a guy to have my driveway resealed.. he took a check, went to the bank, and had no ID... didn't even sign his name on the check... believe it or not, all that was on the cancelled check was his thumbprint! And he cashed it at MY bank! (Bank of America for anyone who wants to heed this warning!).. Needless to say, I switched banks the next day.