OCC Data Breach Raises Phishing Threat: Stay Alert to Protect Sensitive Information

OCC Data Breach Raises Phishing Threat: Stay Alert to Protect Sensitive Information

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Treasury, plays a vital role in overseeing national banks, including Citizens, as well as federal savings associations. The OCC ensures these institutions operate safely, comply with banking regulations, and provide fair and equal access to financial services.

Earlier this year, the OCC experienced a significant data breach, resulting in unauthorized access to approximately 150,000 emails containing sensitive information. This breach has sparked concern across the financial industry, including at Citizens.

In response, Citizens’ Enterprise Technology & Security team swiftly initiated a comprehensive review to assess any potential impact. Our top priority remains the protection of customer and employee data.

Increased Risk of Phishing Attacks

In the wake of the OCC breach, the risk of phishing attacks has increased. Cybercriminals may exploit this incident to send fake emails that appear to be from the OCC. These messages often include harmful links or malicious attachments designed to compromise sensitive information.

Here are key indicators to watch for:

• Phishing Lures: Attackers may falsely claim Citizens’ data was compromised and urge recipients to click suspicious links or download unsafe files.
• Legitimate Appearance: These emails might use authentic-looking logos, language, and formatting to mimic official OCC communications.
• Use of Leaked Information: If compromised emails are leaked, attackers could reference past conversations to gain trust—for example, replying to a familiar message with an attachment that actually contains a phishing link.
• Targeted Messaging: Since the breach has been publicized, all employees are potential targets. Be particularly cautious of any emails referencing the OCC or requesting confidential information.

What You Can Do

Remain vigilant. If you receive an email that seems suspicious—even if it looks official—do not click any links or download attachments. Instead, report it immediately using the “Report Phishing” button in Outlook.

By staying alert and taking proactive steps, we can protect ourselves, our colleagues, and our customers from cybersecurity threats.