Checking Account Fraud - The unauthorized use of a checking, savings or money market account. This generally happens when checks are stolen, copied, altered or counterfeited and used to transfer money, withdraw cash, or pay for merchandise or services that the actual account holder did not authorize.

Account Takeovers - Are when criminals using stolen and counterfeit personal identification take over an account to remove funds before the original owner or bank can detect the unauthorized activity.

Phishing - Phishing is the name given to the practice of sending emails at random purporting to come from a genuine company operating on the Internet (typically a bank), in an attempt to trick individuals into disclosing information at a bogus website operated by fraudsters. Please read this document for more information about phising

Identity Theft - Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number and mother's maiden name, in order to impersonate them. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim's financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, boats, applying for loans, credit cards and social security benefits, renting apartments, and establishing services with utilities and phone companies. Boston Private Bank has developed an Identity Theft Tool Kit, which contains what we believe to be sound guidance from law enforcement officials as to what a person or business should do to mitigate the risk or consequences of identity theft.