Hancock Bank Customer Service Phishing Alert!
2011/03/25
Hancock Bank has sent out two phishing alert messages over the last couple of weeks. Although these messages were only sent to Hancock Bank customers it’s a good idea to understand that scammers are out there trying to obtain your banking information so they can steal your money. Never give your information online or on the phone to anyone you are not completely sure is working on behalf of you and your bank. The two alerts are below…
Hancock Bank takes every reasonable precaution to protect our e-Banking users against online fraud, and to inform them of any fraudulent communications. Recently, Hancock Bank has been alerted to a phishing attempt.
Please be aware if you have received an email addressed to Dear Valued Customer or Dear Hancock Customer that these emails are fraudulent! The e-mails may also reference irregular activity and security server upgrades. DO NOT open the email or click on any links within the email and delete the email from your inbox. Contact customer service with additional questions. Thank you!
Vishing (Voice Phishing) is the criminal practice of using social engineering over the telephone system to gain access to private personal and financial information from the public for the purpose of financial reward. Customer service has received several calls from customers advising of unsolicited calls indicating their card may have been compromised and asking to verify non-public personal information. Please DO NOT verify ANY personal information to these types of telephone requests.
The two known scenarios are outlined below: One scenario: A call was placed to a customer saying they were Hancock Bank Security and asked them for all of their card information. Second scenario: A call from Great Southern Bank (automated) was received by a customer saying their card had been frozen due to fraud and is instructed to “push 1” to re-activate their card. Although associates from Electronic Banking Services do call customers to verify debit card purchases (calling to confirm a purchase on this date at this location in the amount of “x” dollars), we DO NOT ask customers to provide their non-public personal information.
Please contact customer service with additional questions at the numbers below: Alabama: 1-866-744-8801 Florida: 1-800-726-0920 Louisiana: 1-800-256-4636 Mississippi: 1-800-448-8812 Thank you!


