Washington – The Department of Justice, the FBI and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) remind the public there is a potential for disaster fraud in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Suspected fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts associated with the recent series of tornadoes in the Midwest and South should be reported to the NCDF hotline at 866-720-5721. The hotline is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the purpose of reporting suspected scams being perpetrated by criminals in the aftermath of disasters.

NCDF was originally established in 2005 by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute and deter fraud associated with federal disaster relief programs following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud related to any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies – including the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General and the FBI – participate in the NCDF, allowing the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.

In the wake of natural disasters, many individuals feel moved to contribute to victim assistance programs and organizations across the country. The Department of Justice and the FBI remind the public to apply a critical eye and do due diligence before giving to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of hurricane victims. Solicitations can originate as emails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings, telephone calls and similar methods.

Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including the following:

• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming emails, including by clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.
• Be cautious of individuals representing themselves as victims or officials asking for donations via email or social networking sites.
• Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.
• Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the existence and legitimacy of non-profit organizations by using Internet-based resources.
• Be cautious of emails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because those files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• To ensure that contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make donations directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
• Do not be pressured into making contributions; reputable charities do not use coercive tactics.
• Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
• Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by debit or credit card, or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.
• Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services.
• Most legitimate charities maintain websites ending in .org rather than .com.

In addition to raising public awareness, the NCDF is the intake center for all disaster relief fraud. Therefore, if you observe that someone has submitted a fraudulent claim for disaster relief, or observe any other suspected fraudulent activities pertaining to the receipt of government funds as part of disaster relief or clean up, please contact the NCDF.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud by a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of hurricane victims, or if you discover fraudulent disaster relief claims submitted by a person or organization, contact the NCDF by phone at (866) 720-5721, fax at (225) 334-4707 or email at http://www.ic3.gov/egress.aspx?u=mailto%3adisaster%40leo.gov&h=4140F8F901080C7FDA8B1827AF951ECF5CBC7A242D8A1F59BF37755CB664DBB0.

You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov/.

Links to third party sites are provided for your convenience. Bank of Ann Arbor does not endorse or control content on these sites.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has recently received reports regarding a scam that baits individuals into intimate online conversations and then extorting them for financial gain. The scam was initiated after the victims met someone online, such as on a dating site, and were asked to connect via a specific online social network. Shortly after, the conversations became sexual in nature. Later, victims received text messages, either containing their names, asking if it was them or containing a statement that indicated their names were posted on a particular website. The victims were provided a link to a page on the website that claimed they were a “cheater.” Photos of the victims and their telephone numbers were also posted. There was an option to view and buy the posted conversations for $9. Victims were also given the option to have their names and conversations removed for $99. Some were even told that once the payment was made, the information would be removed within an hour and the website would not allow anyone to post anything pertaining to the victims’ names again. However, reports do not indicate that the information was ever removed. 

Anticipation is building for the opening of our Saline office on Michigan Avenue.  Saline Patch ran this story, Bank of Ann Arbor Set to Open Saline Office, as remodeling of the office is in full swing.  We're looking to have the office ready for business by the end of the year. Stay tuned for updates.

(Note: links to third party sites are provided for convenience only; Bank of Ann Arbor does not control or endorse content.) 

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has been made aware of various malware attacking Android operating systems for mobile devices. Some of the latest known versions of this type of malware are Loozfon and FinFisher. Loozfon is an information-stealing piece of malware. Criminals use different variants to lure the victims. One version is a work-at-home opportunity that promises a profitable payday just for sending out e-mail. A link within these advertisements leads to a website that is designed to push Loozfon on the user’s device. The malicious application steals contact details from the user’s address book and the infected device’s phone number.

FinFisher is a spyware capable of taking over the components of a mobile device. When installed the mobile device can be remotely controlled and monitored no matter where the Target is located. FinFisher can be easily transmitted to a smartphone when the user visits a specific web link or opens a text message masquerading as a system update.

Loozfon and FinFisher are just two examples of malware used by criminals to lure users into compromising their devices.

Safety tips to protect your mobile device:

• When purchasing a smartphone, know the features of the device, including the default settings. Turn off features of the device not needed to minimize the attack surface of the device.
• Depending on the type of phone, the operating system may have encryption available. This can be used to protect the user’s personal data in the case of loss or theft.
• With the growth of the application market for mobile devices, users should look at the reviews of the developer/company who published the application.
• Review and understand the permissions you are giving when you download applications.
• Passcode protect your mobile device. This is the first layer of physical security to protect the contents of the device. In conjunction with the passcode, enable the screen lock feature after a few minutes of inactivity.
• Obtain malware protection for your mobile device. Look for applications that specialize in antivirus or file integrity that helps protect your device from rogue applications and malware.
• Be aware of applications that enable geo-location. The application will track the user’s location anywhere. This application can be used for marketing, but can also be used by malicious actors, raising concerns of assisting a possible stalker and/or burglaries.
• Jailbreak or rooting is used to remove certain restrictions imposed by the device manufacturer or cell phone carrier. This allows the user nearly unregulated control over what programs can be installed and how the device can be used. However, this procedure often involves exploiting significant security vulnerabilities and increases the attack surface of the device. Anytime an application or service runs in “unrestricted” or “system” level within an operation system, it allows any compromise to take full control of the device.
• Do not allow your device to connect to unknown wireless networks. These networks could be rogue access points that capture information passed between your device and a legitimate server.
• If you decide to sell your device or trade it in, make sure you wipe the device (reset it to factory default) to avoid leaving personal data on the device.
• Smartphones require updates to run applications and firmware. If users neglect this, it increases the risk of having their device hacked or compromised.
• Avoid clicking on or otherwise downloading software or links from unknown sources.
• Use the same precautions on your mobile phone as you would on your computer when using the Internet.

Bank of Ann Arbor joins the Ypsilanti community in remembering Peter B. Fletcher who passed away this weekend.  "We lost a great man, who was instrumental in the growth and development of Bank of Ann Arbor," said Tim Marshall, President and CEO.  "Peter served admirably as director of the Bank from our founding in 1996 to March 2012, when he retired to Director Emeritus status.  He will be missed."

AnnArbor.com shared this rememberance of his life.

(Note: links to third party sites are provided for convenience only. Bank of Ann Arbor does not control or endorse their content.)

The Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force maintains a wide list of resources and information dedicated to helping find and report suspected cases of financial fraud. 

What is the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force?

President Obama established the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force in November 2009 to hold accountable those who helped bring about the last financial crisis as well as those who would attempt to take advantage of the efforts at economic recovery.

The task force is improving efforts across the government and with state and local partners to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, recover proceeds for victims and address financial discrimination in the lending and financial markets.

With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 US Attorneys Offices and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. 

Visit www.stopfraud.gov to learn how to protect yourself and to report fraudulent activities.

(Note: link is to third party site not controlled or monitor by Bank of Ann Arbor.)

Bank of Ann Arbor is helping to spread the word about an important way you can fight back against cancer. Enroll in the American Cancer Society’s new research study called the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). By joining CPS-3, you can help researchers better understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer, which will ultimately save lives. 

Who can join the study?

The study is open to anyone who:

• Is willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which involves completing periodic follow-up surveys at home

• Is between 30 and 65 years old 

• Has never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer)

How can you participate?

Enrollment is being held at locations across Ann Arbor beginning in late October. To view enrollment times and schedule your appointment, go to: www.cancer.org/annarborcps3. (Note this link is to an third party site; Bank of Ann Arbor does not control or monitor its content.)

As part of enrollment, you will be asked to:

• Read and sign an informed consent form

• Complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on lifestyle, behavioral and other factors related to your health. 

• Have your waist circumference measured 

• Give a small blood sample (similar to a doctor’s visit – 7 teaspoons total). The blood sample will be drawn by a trained, certified phlebotomist.

Upon completion of these two steps, we will send periodic follow-up surveys to update your information and annual newsletters with study updates and results.

You might call Theo Katzman the hardest working man in the music business.  If you look at his facebook or twitter feed, every few days, he’s either entertaining crowds with his original music, sitting in with another musician or band, or recording a track somewhere for someone.  This U of M School of Music alum spent his college days gigging with the local pop band My Dear Disco, teaching music, giving songwriting workshops, and eventually recording his own critically acclaimed solo album. He has recently moved back to his native New York to pursue his music career from Brooklyn, where he’s been keeping busy selling out venues between stints on tour nationwide.

To top it all off, he can also play practically any instrument you put in front of him including drums, guitar and bass, and often writes and performs all of his own parts in the studio.  This approach allows him the freedom to explore the depths of his creativity and songwriting, while crafting lean songs with tight arrangements, and well placed, thoughtful parts.  When performed live, either solo or with a band, these songs are delivered with an energy and enthusiasm that woos audiences and takes the music to the next level.

His sound is often described as Indie Soul, although he balks a bit at any specific label.  His music does indeed encompass a range of influences from folk, to soul, blues, rock and more, but “indie” is the genre that Katzman is most comfortable with as it allows him the greatest flexibility to explore his sound without feeling confined.  To listen to his music, one can easily hear the influence of his idols like Feist, Wilco, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell expertly blended with the vibe of R&B greats like Al Green, Otis Redding, and D’Angelo.

His debut album, “Romance Without Finance” displays his mastery of songwriting and his power to evoke emotion with well-crafted lyrics, sweetly sung vocal melodies, and toe-tapping grooves.  Join us on Thursday for the last Sonic Lunch of the season as we welcome back one of our favorite past performers to his former hometown.

This Thursday at Sonic Lunch, we’ll be gettin’ down and dirty with the original kings of crabgrass, Black Jake & the Carnies!  This band of vagabonds made their debut performance on Halloween night in 2002, and it’s not hard to see why.  These guys look like they’re from another time and place, despite the fact that they hail from Ypsilanti.  Part circus act, part punk band, part ragtime, and 100% wildly rolicking fun, they blend an interesting collection of old-timey instruments into an uptempo sound, creating what they’ve dubbed “crabgrass,” which isn’t quite alternative bluegrass on speed, but isn’t too far off either.  The unique blend of banjo, washboard, train whistle, jug and all manner of odd percussion toys, make the Carnies something closer to a manic jug and string band from the previous century that you’ve got to see to beleive.

While the band’s music, a combination of Jake’s smartly penned originals along with the odd ’80s pop cover, certainly stands on its own, Black Jake & the Carnies’ stage performances have been making a name for the band for the last 10 years.  You can never quite tell what they’re going to bring with them to get people jumping and dancing and having a good time, but let’s just say it’s wise to be prepared for lots of audience-participation, some pretty outrageous costumes, and enough raw energy to jump-start a Volkswagen. Jake’s banjo is even adorned with colored blinking lights. Yes, this is a band that knows how to have a good time and has fun doing so.

Black Jake and the Carnies have spent the last year feverishly touring in support of their 2011 release, Sundry Mahems, which is the band’s highly acclaimed second album.  Join us for a performance you won’t soon forget, by a band that will leave you hootin’ and hollerin’ for weeks to come.

Like a mix tape made by a well-traveled friend, The Ragbirds music is diverse and foreign, yet somehow familiar.  The voice at the front of The Ragbirds carries the freshness of the journey itself, and the lyrics point out the scenery like a friendly tour guide.The 2012 release of The Ragbirds fourth studio effort, Travelin’ Machine, is a new milestone for the band.  It’s the soundtrack of the observant road-warrior, with layers of world grooves that stir the listener to move. The songs strike a balance between home and adventure, drawing upon elements of Pop, Gypsy, Afro-Cuban, Celtic, Middle Eastern and African sounds, with a little Cajun spice.  Join us for The Ragbirds Thursday, August 16 from Noon to 1:30p in downtown Ann Arbor's Liberty Plaza.  Visit soniclunch.com for more information and the week's lunch partner.