Credit, debit card breach hits in Calais

The Secret Service is investigating a rash of fraudulent credit and debit card transactions that began to surface the weekend of October 17 in the Calais area, affecting customers of a number of different financial institutions.
On the morning of October 19, The First bank President and CEO Tony McKim explained, "What we know so far is that over the last two weeks we've been combating a regional data breach involving a merchant and/or their card processor" that has affected his bank's customers in the Calais and Damariscotta regions. He adds, "There is no breach at the bank." He notes that in general data breaches are "becoming more diverse and are becoming harder to pinpoint" but that the Secret Service would develop a better understanding of the breach's regional impact as it continues with its investigation.
Credit and debit card users in the Calais area are being asked by their banks and credit unions to keep careful track of their accounts for possible fraudulent activities and to contact their financial institutions if they have any questions about unusual charges. Residents took to social media platforms the weekend of October 17 to alert others to the news of fraudulent charges.
While Calais Police Chief David Randall says that as of the morning of October 19 only one Calais‑area resident had filed a report with his office for fraudulent use of a card in the State of Illinois, he notes that area banks are aware of the problem, with Down East Credit Union issuing a $500 daily limit on credit and debit card transactions. "It appears to be large scale," he notes of the breach.
Down East Credit Union Executive Vice President and CFO Joseph Moses states in a release that a vast number "of fraudulent credit and debit card transactions have been reported in the Washington County area. This issue is not isolated to Down East Credit Union but rather related to many financial institutions in the area. State authorities are investigating the situation and are in the process of identifying the source of the problem. Fraudulent activity appears to have reached its peak during the end of last week and now seems to be settling."
On its Facebook page, Bangor Savings Bank has alerted customers to the fraudulent activity and notes that it "has been investigating a potential data breach of a regional retailer or card processor. Bangor Savings Bank has a fraud protection system in place, actively reviewing all customer debit card transactions."
The financial institutions have a number of tips to help customers. McKim stresses the importance of keeping contact information up to date with the bank so that it can contact customers quickly, and he suggests customers check bank statements often, either online or by stopping by a branch and checking with a bank representative. A bank or credit union will guide its customer through the process of obtaining a new card and filling out paperwork if they have been the victim of fraudulent account activity.
Moses says, "Management recommends members periodically review their transaction history for unknown transactions." The credit union has an automated 24‑hour service available by phone to immediately block a card. The credit union will reissue a new card, which should be received in approximately seven days. Moses adds advice relevant to any bank customer: "If you receive a call or voice mail from the credit union's risk management center, please return the call immediately."
Information about the breach and steps to take are available at individual financial institutions and on their websites. Visit <www.downeastcu.com>, <www.thefirst.com> or <www.bangor.com>, among others.