1st Source Bank reports security breach

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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1st Source Bank reports security breach

(WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

SOUTH BEND — 1st Source Bank is sending out letters reminding their customers to check their recent bank account activity. The bank says someone hacked into a computer containing debit card information earlier this month.

1st Source Bank says it doesn't know how many accounts the hacker got information on. But the bank doesn't think any money or personnel information was taken.

Many customers are still taking a closer look at their debit card activity.

"My main worry is that my money is going to be gone tomorrow when I got to my account," said Jeremy Reinke, a 1st Source Bank customer.

"Is my money still in my account, and can they correct this so it doesn't happen again?" asked Chris Stump, another customer who hadn't heard about the May 12 security breach. "I guess in some ways I would have liked to know by now."

1st Source Bank says it immediately reported the incident.

"We are working with law enforcement to find these bad guys, and we didn't want to tip them off," said James Seitz, senior vice president of consumer and electronic banking at 1st Source Bank.

The bank is now sending letters explaining what happened.

"The server that holds our debit card information they were in there and they transferred information out. But we can't really tell if it was 10, 20, or 30 percent of our card holders," said Seitz.

1st Source Bank says a special forensics team is going to take a look at the system.

New debit cards will be sent to all their customers even though the bank insists no personal information was taken.

"Our number one priority is our customers. We shut everything down right away and hired the best people we could get our hands on to see what happened here and to make sure it doesn't happen again," said Seitz.

But many customers still keep a closer eye on their accounts.

"We would pay a little more attention at least until they can figure it out," said Reinke.

1st Source Bank says customers should expect to receive a letter in the mail any day.

The debit cards shouldn't arrive until the second week in June, and current ones can be used until then.

The bank says you should take a look at your statements and report any fraudulent activity.

1st Source says its security meets or exceeds banking standards, but it plans to add more safeguards.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 10:07 PM Bankingqueen wrote ...

So yeah people give this a rest.The bank is going to help you in any way and you're obviously not liable for anything you didn't do.This just shows how important it is to keep track of your account like you should be doing.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 8:58 PM anonymous wrote ...

First of all some people need to realize...if you don't have the money, don't spend it and you won't get overdraft fees!!! 99% of the time it is your own fault so stop blaming the banks!! 1st Source did an awesome job when this breach occured. They locked everything down so quickly and they are being upfront with their customers which most banks probably wouldn't (and haven't) done! I am a proud customer and will continue banking there!

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 5:05 PM AMANDA wrote ...

My husband and I are very careful with mail, bills, and anything regarding our personal information. Account numbers may change, but I can't ever change my Social Security Number. I appreciate the bank's offer to let us participate in a 12 month credit/fraud bureau, but what happens if someone uses my number after that? And it will be all at my expense...

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 9:28 AM Rossie wrote ...

Duke Jones says that "you will not be responsible for any fraudulent activity related to the security breach as long as we are notified promptly". What about the longer term, specifically as it relates to Social Security numbers. According to the professionals and based upon past experience, the hackers were targeting debit and credit information and not personal identity information. As far as I am concerned, they cannot be certain of this. Does 1st Source have any longer term liability here?

Monday, Jun 2 at 5:53 PM Rossell4u wrote ...

Fraud is now apart of the world we live in. Hacking can happen to ANYONE, be it a small business, a national company or a government agency. If no personal information was accessed, then most companies just sweep it under the rug and pretend like it never happened. I appreciate that 1st Source took accountability and notified me about the situation. Even though my personal information (SSN) was more than likely not compromised, I can monitor my credit report just to make sure.

Monday, Jun 2 at 1:57 PM TheTruth wrote ...

What planet are you complainers living on? Its not a week that goes by where info is either stolen, hacked into,someone left a laptop somewhere, etc... It happens..they did what any other company, bank, corp would do. Reported it, than told us about it..Your online, so do some research at how many other companies have had this happen...good grief. Oh by the way, I am a customer, and I did get my letter Saturday.

Monday, Jun 2 at 8:52 AM j w laporte wrote ...

We had a situation similar happen in which our debit card info was compromised through Certegy the major debit, credit, and check pocessing company for retailers. We noticed small charges that we did not make, these were test amounts to see if they would be reported or if the card would be cancelled before making larger purchases. I monitor my account daily and caught them right away before larger amounts were taken. 1st source was very helpful in getting the card cancelled and my money back

Sunday, Jun 1 at 8:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Dr Mike: Are you going to leave every bank when it experiences an issue like this? If you are, good luck. Nearly every bank has experience this type of security breach. And it's just not banks. Credit card companies and stories experience the same security issue. I feel sorry for you. Eventually you'll have no banking option other than your mattress.

Sunday, Jun 1 at 3:31 PM dr.mike wrote ...

I'm so sick of 1st Source, I have not gotten anything about what has happened until NOW! I am so leaving 1st Source .. I am sick of all of these small banks not having the resources to protect their customers. This isn't the first time they have had issues with protecting their customers. GOODBYE 1st Source Bank!

Saturday, May 31 at 11:11 PM bank customer in Michigan wrote ...

I didn't receive a notice either. I heard it at the grocery store from the cashier. That makes me upset. I have had other banks that have taken money from my accounts. 1st Source has always been an honest and helpful bank to me in the past. So I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that their silence was to catch the crooks.

Saturday, May 31 at 4:41 PM Anonymous wrote ...

How can the CIA pay for clandestine operations? By staging crimes here and there. A little bit here, a little bit there, and they've got millions, and identity thieves and computer hackers get the blame. This isn't the job of an ordinary hacker. Ordinary hackers are found by now.

Saturday, May 31 at 4:16 PM Think twice wrote ...

This can happen to ANY bank not just 1st source! They stopped the hackers immediately! Also, it does not matter if someone steals your card out of your mailbox because they will not have the pin number. Only the card numbers are changing, NOT the pin.

Saturday, May 31 at 1:31 PM Get Real wrote ...

If you read the letter correctly, it states NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO OUR ACCOUNTS! So if you are overdrawn, that is probably your own fault, or your number was stolen otherwise. The letter sent out also reads 1st source is monitoring it every hour! Get a life people!

Saturday, May 31 at 12:37 PM Interesting wrote ...

I wonder if this has anything to do with them erroneously reporting me late on a mortgage loan when I have copies of canceled checks from them proving otherwise.

Saturday, May 31 at 12:17 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Duh...They didn't want to tip off the criminals that is why they are just now saying something. They wanted to start the investigation process without giving them a chance to cover something out. I am a customer and am glad they were on top of it.

Saturday, May 31 at 11:15 AM Bank Customer wrote ...

I agree with the earlier comment that 'there are no perfect unhackable systems". I am sure First Source is doing everything possible to prevent such activities. There have been many other companies/banks with security breaches including our own government. Whenever you have any online or electronic accounts, you always need to take extra precautions. Remember that Identity Theft is fast becoming the #1 crime in the country.

Saturday, May 31 at 10:56 AM Anonymous wrote ...

If memory serves me, National City experienced a similiar problem and it took about 2 weeks to notify their customers and another 2 weeks to send the cards out. If you people are that concerned, then stop using banks all together. No bank, no system is perfect.

Saturday, May 31 at 10:17 AM Haters wrote ...

It's funny that people are condeming 1st Source. Customers were a first priority as was finding the hackers. Get a grip folks... this happens at most banks.. and those banks rarely report it to their customers. At least 1st Source is being open and honest about the situation.

Saturday, May 31 at 10:03 AM Bankcustomer wrote ...

1st source did everything they could to help the customer. I heard another man is having these same problems at another bank, and that bank will not help him get his money back! 1st source is dedicated to the customer and I am very proud to have 1st source Bank! Thank you for your honesty and help 1st source! We are behind you all the way!

Saturday, May 31 at 9:10 AM Greg Patrick wrote ...

There are laws/rules banks have to follow. That why it is sometime not released until later. My bank told me this when they had a problem. Visa or Mastercard sometimes does not report problems to banks right away.

Saturday, May 31 at 8:47 AM Happy Customer wrote ...

Yeah 1st source has its down points, but I will say this they have never locked me out of my own account, wrongly accused me of overdrafting when their computers had a glitch, or accused me of harrassing the teller like some other banks in the area ( 5th 3RD)

Saturday, May 31 at 8:30 AM One more thing.... wrote ...

They didn't notify me when the information was taken, only when they were ready to collect overdraft fees.... Nice....

Saturday, May 31 at 8:22 AM Beware!!! wrote ...

Starting May 15th, my bank account started to get drained from Atlanta Georgia. $2,000 later, I have bounced checks and overdraft fees and no money. I found out yesterday when I received a overdraft notice. It would have been nice to know back on May 12th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT!!!

Saturday, May 31 at 4:17 AM ex-custumer wrote ...

typical 1st source...all about their own $$$.Never the custumer's...

Saturday, May 31 at 3:15 AM Julie wrote ...

I too am a 1st Source customer for over 10 years and I was never notified of this incident and it took place on May 12? Customers were NOT their first priority... damage control was. I'm very angry and I will find another banking institution that is more qualified to keep security tight.

Saturday, May 31 at 12:09 AM jen wrote ...

Hey - thanks for announcing when the new cards will be in the mail. I wonder how many will be stolen out of mailboxes.

Saturday, May 31 at 12:01 AM shak wrote ...

that is one reason why we left this bank, many moons ago,,nothing like finding out this info via of computer,,,how low can they go

Friday, May 30 at 11:36 PM been in banking wrote ...

There are no perfect unhackable systems. After working for 4 yrs in banking, I have confidence in 1st Source and in the way they have handled this situation. This just encourages us to do what we should be doing in the first place, paying attention to our account activity. Thanks for your customer service, 1st Source.

Friday, May 30 at 9:32 PM BankFan wrote ...

Thank goodness we have such a great local bank that is being as upfront about this situation.

Friday, May 30 at 9:18 PM a 1st source customer wrote ...

I can't believe this happened on May 12th and as a customer I haven't heard about this until I just read this article. You would think that 1st Source would have contacted their customers first with what happened. I am very upset about this.

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