Monday, November 21, 2016



Complete DHS Report for November 21, 2016

Daily Report                                            

Top Stories

• The FBI is searching November 18 for a man dubbed the “Spelling Bee Bandit” who allegedly robbed 4 Massachusetts banks since October 31. – Boston Herald See item 4 below in the Financial Services Sector

• A Romanian national pleaded guilty November 17 for his role in a roughly $5 million ATM skimming operation where he and 15 co-conspirators installed card-reading devices on ATMs in New Jersey, New York, and other States. – Newark Star-Ledger See item 5 below in the Financial Services Sector

• Georgia officials declared a Level 2 drought response in 52 counties November 17, as over 22 percent of the State is under an exceptional drought and more than 52 percent is in an extreme drought. – WSB 2 Atlanta

13. November 18, WSB 2 Atlanta – (Georgia) Level 2 drought response issued for parts of north Georgia. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division declared a Level 2 drought response in 52 counties November 17, as over 22 percent of the State is under an exceptional drought and more than 52 percent is in an extreme drought. Officials reported that a Level 1 response is in effect for 58 additional counties. Source: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/governor-declares-level-2-drought-response-in-georgia/468102657

• The former treasurer of the Dewey Fire Company in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, was charged November 16 after she allegedly embezzled over $395,000 from the department by using company debit and credit cards for personal use. – Allentown Morning Call

18. November 16, Allentown Morning Call – (Pennsylvania) Hellertown woman charged with stealing $390K from Dewey Fire Company. The former treasurer of the Dewey Fire Company in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, was charged November 16 after she allegedly embezzled over $395,000 from the department by using company debit and credit cards for personal use. Source: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-hellertown-dewey-fire-company-treasurer-stole-20161116-story.html

Financial Services Sector
4. November 18, Boston Herald – (Massachusetts) FBI on the lookout for ‘Spelling Bee Bandit.’ The FBI is searching November 18 for a man dubbed the “Spelling Bee Bandit” who is suspected of robbing a TD Bank branch in Peabody, Massachusetts, November 13 and 3 other banks in Massachusetts since October 31. Source: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2016/11/fbi_on_the_lookout_for_spelling_bee_bandit

5. November 18, Newark Star-Ledger – (National) Romanian man admits to role in $5M ATM skimming operation. A Romanian national pleaded guilty November 17 for his participation in a large-scale ATM skimming operation where he and 15 co-conspirators installed card-reading devices on ATMs in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and other States, affecting thousands of customers and defrauding multiple financial institutions of at least $5 million. The skimming operation’s leader and co-conspirator were previously convicted for their roles in the scheme. Source: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/romanian_man_pleads_to_role_in_massive_atm_skimmin.html

Information Technology Sector

19. November 17, SecurityWeek – (International) iOS lockscreen bypass gives access to contacts, photos. Security researchers discovered a vulnerability in Apple’s mobile operating system (iOS) that could allow an attacker with physical access to a device that has Siri enabled on the lockscreen to bypass the phone’s lockscreen and access photos and contact information on a victim’s iPhone or iPad. The researchers reported the flaw affects iOS versions 8.0 – 10.2 and can be avoided by disabling Siri on the lockscreen.

Communications Sector

Nothing to report