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Financial Services Law Insights and Observations

FBI warns of increased mobile banking cyber threats

Federal Issues Privacy/Cyber Risk & Data Security Covid-19 Mobile Banking FBI

Federal Issues

On June 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a Public Service Announcement (PSA) cautioning mobile banking application users to remain vigilant of cyber activity. Specifically, the PSA indicated, with a more than 50 percent increase in mobile web application usage since the start of the year, that cyber actors may attempt to steal login credentials through the introduction of trojans embedded in other software and the deployment of fake banking applications, designed to trick consumers into entering their credentials. The PSA provides three recommendations for all mobile banking application users and organization: (i) use strong passwords (at least eight characters); (ii) use multifactor authentication and not share multifactor PINs; and (iii) contact the financial institution if a banking application appears suspicious. Finally, the PSA reminds consumers that financial institutions will not ask for login credentials over the phone.