PNC Bank has issued an urgent alert to its customers in the United States about a growing scam known as the "CEO fraud." This type of fraud involves impersonating senior executives to deceive employees and obtain fraudulent money transfers.
Be alert to this dangerous fraud: PNC Bank takes it seriously
CEO fraud is a form of impersonation in which scammers pose as the chief executive officer or another senior official of a company. They use emails or phone calls to request that authorized employees make urgent money transfers or provide confidential information.
These messages usually convey a sense of urgency and confidentiality to prevent the employee from verifying the authenticity of the request. This type of fraud can affect companies of any size and sector.
Scammers thoroughly research the company's structure and communication habits so their messages appear legitimate. If an employee falls for the scam, the company can suffer significant financial losses and damage to its reputation.
When to be suspicious? PNC Bank provides the keys
We must be alert to emails or calls that request urgent or confidential transfers. Or those that come from email addresses that are similar but not identical to official ones.
We will also watch for those that contain spelling or grammatical errors. Employees must avoid being prevented from consulting with other employees or superiors. If you receive a suspicious request, verify its authenticity by contacting the supposed sender through another means.
Special tips from PNC Bank to protect yourself
PNC Bank recommends that its customers and employees establish internal protocols to verify transfer requests, especially unusual or urgent ones. They should also use multi-factor authentication on email accounts and financial systems.
It is vital to train employees on how to identify and respond to impersonation attempts and set up security alerts on accounts to monitor suspicious activities. In addition, immediately report any fraud attempt to PNC's Abuse Division by sending an email to abuse@pnc.com.
CEO fraud is a real and growing threat that requires constant vigilance. PNC Bank urges all its customers in the United States to stay alert and take preventive measures to protect themselves. Remember: if something seems suspicious, verify before acting.