Area residents are being advised to not respond to an online survey allegedly sent from a Coffeyville bank.

Mike Ewy, president of Coffeyville State Bank, said scammers have perfected an e-mail whereby the bank allegedly promises to credit CSB account holders with $99 should the account holder complete an online survey. The email even gives the bank’s exact address and a website address, which, if clicked, would show a website that looks to be one from Coffeyville State Bank.

“It looks official, but it’s purely a scam called phishing,” said Ewy. “This type of stuff happens everyday to banks across the nation, and whoever is doing it knows how to make it appear legitimate.”

If a person completes the online survey, they will be asked for private bank account information, which, if provided, could lead the scammers to stealing money from the account holder.

“That’s the hook,” said Ewy. “They want bank account information, which they can access if it is provided to them.”

Ewy said banks typically don’t solicit survey information via email. Nor do banks ask for bank account information from their own customers, he said.

“Virtually 99 percent of what we’re seeing on the internet dealing with surveys is either a scam or a hoax,” said Ewy. “We encourage people to not respond to the survey. It has nothing to do with Coffeyville State Bank.”

No persons banking information has been compromised unless someone logs in to answer the fake survey and provides their banking information.  If you or someone you know has provided information, they should contact their financial institution and ask what they need to do, Ewy said.

Phishing scams like this one have become more frequent with the popularity of the internet.  Everyone should examine all of their periodic statements and are encouraged to examine their credit report periodically at www.annualcreditreport.com.

If you have any questions, contact Tom Swanson or Mike Ewy at Community State Bank at 620-251-1313.