Gate City Bank continues to

caution public against phone scam

Fargo, N.D.– March 3, 2014 – Due to additional reports of fraudulent phone calls being made to local phone numbers in an attempt to obtain confidential personal information, Gate City Bank is encouraging the public to beware of phone scams.

Gate City Bank is continuing to receive reports of fraudulent phone calls being made in an attempt to obtain consumers’ confidential debit card information, such as names, card numbers, or passwords. Both Gate City Bank customers and non-customers are being targeted.

The scam has been reported to the North Dakota and Minnesota attorney generals’ offices and the Federal Trade Commission. Gate City Bank is one of multiple bank names being used in this scam.

Gate City Bank Executive Vice President and Director of Operations, Maureen Jelinek explains that the fraudsters are using an auto random dialer which is a computerized system that can dial thousands of phone numbers at one time.

“These fraudsters are persistent and have called the same phone numbers multiple times,” Jelinek said. “They can ‘spoof’ phone numbers which make the phone call appear to come from a legitimate source.”

Gate City Bank has some tips on how people can avoid falling victim to a scam like this one.

Do NOT respond to phone calls, emails, faxes or text messages warning you of dire consequences if you don’t provide sensitive information immediately. For example “your debit card has been blocked”.

Do NOT provide personal information such as account numbers, debit or credit card numbers or passwords in response to an unsolicited phone call, email, fax or text message, no matter how legitimate it seems.

DO contact your bank immediately if you have responded to what you believe may have been a scam.

DO contact your bank at a local phone banking number if you are unsure about the legitimacy of any phone calls.

DO review your account transactions regularly and contact your bank if you find any unauthorized transactions.

DO keep your bank informed of your current home and cell phone numbers in the event the bank needs to verify if suspicious activity has occurred.

Jelinek says that Gate City Bank constantly monitors their customers’ accounts to prevent fraud.

“Gate City Bank has a real-time fraud monitoring system that will identify unusual activity,” Jelinek said. “While Gate City Bank may contact you to review suspicious activity, we will never ask for your full debit card number and will never request your pin number, or the security code on the back of the debit card.”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is encouraging complaints about the phone calls to be reported at 877-382-4357. If sensitive information has been given to the caller, please contact your bank immediately then call the FTC at 877-438-4338. This will help prompt an investigation to identify and shut down the fraudsters.

If a customer has provided their confidential information or have become a victim of fraudulent activity on their Gate City Bank ATM & Check Card, they are protected by Gate City Bank and have zero liability. Customers are urged to contact us immediately if this has occurred.

Mahnomen Public

Library to Temporarily Relocate

The Mahnomen Public Library, a branch of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library, will be moving to a temporary location during an 8 to 10 week asbestos abatement project. 

The Mahnomen Public Library will be closed March 10-17, and will reopen on March 18 at the WETCC Wellstone Building, located at 175 S. First St.; one block west of the current Library location. 

The temporary location will offer a limited collection, but will continue to offer new release books and magazines for all ages, DVDs, and public computer access. Library customers may continue to request materials and pick up requested items. 

Fargo Fire Department Improves ISO Rating

FARGO, N.D. (March 3, 2014) – ISO, a company responsible for assessing a community’s fire risk, has completed its analysis of the structural fire suppression capabilities provided in Fargo and has classified the Fargo Fire Department as an ISO 2 community. This is an improvement from Fargo’s previous rating of 3. The highest rating possible is a 1.

 ISO uses what is called a Public Protection Class (PPC) Survey to determine a community’s rating classification. This plays an important role in the underwriting process at insurance companies. Most U.S. insurers – including the largest – use this information when deciding what types of coverage to offer and prices to charge for personal and commercial property insurance.

 PPC is important to communities and fire departments as well. Communities whose PPC improves may get lower insurance rates. PPC also provides fire departments with a benchmark and is used as a valuable tool when planning and budgeting fire protection improvements. 

Fargo/Moorhead St. Patrick’s Parade

Saturday, March 15th

The annual Fargo/Moorhead St. Patrick’s Parade is slated to start at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15th at Broadway and NP Avenue in downtown Fargo.  Parade marchers and floats line up in the parking lot west of The Old Broadway at noon and will proceed North on Broadway to Sixth Avenue.  Leading the parade will be Military Honor Guards from the VFW and the American Legion followed by the Heather & Thistle Pipes and Drums plus a march contingent of Fargo/Moorhead Firefighters.  Parade officials anticipate that between 75-80 units will participate in the Fargo/Moorhead St. Patrick’s Parade believed to be the only one held in North Dakota. 

 The Lake Agassiz Pacers will precede the Parade up Broadway with a 5K race and 800 meter Fun Run for kids 12 and under.

 For more information on participating in the parade or sponsorships, go to the web site at:  www.fmstpats.com or Facebook at Fargo/Moorhead St Patrick’s Parade.  For phone inquiries call Kim at 701-367-3635.

Tobacco Compliance Check Results

FARGO, N.D. (February 27, 2014) – In an effort to reduce youth tobacco use, Fargo Cass Public Health partners with local law enforcement to perform tobacco compliance checks in Fargo and West Fargo. The checks are conducted quarterly with all licensed tobacco retailers in both cities. Licensed tobacco retailers in Cass County are checked once per year through a similar partnership with the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. Holly Scott, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for Fargo Cass Public Health explains why the checks are conducted, “Tobacco compliance checks are not a sting operation. Rather, they are an opportunity for businesses to make sure they are following the law and not selling any tobacco products to a minor. In Fargo, that also means not selling electronic cigarettes to a minor.”

In January, Fargo City Commissioners updated two tobacco ordinances to include electronic cigarettes. As of January 6, 2014, Fargo businesses that sell electronic cigarettes are prohibited from selling those products, or any of their component parts, to minors.  Chapters 10 and 35 of the Fargo Municipal Code reflect these changes.  The code amendments may be viewed on the City of Fargo website:  www.cityoffargo.com/CityInfo/Departments/Auditor/Ordinances/

 Use of electronic cigarettes is prohibited in all indoor and outdoor spaces where traditional cigarette use is prohibited, according to the statewide smoke-free law, N.D.C.C. 23-12-9 to 23-12-12.

 On Wednesday, February 26, 2014, the Fargo and West Fargo Police Departments, with assistance from Fargo Cass Public Health, conducted tobacco compliance checks. In Fargo, 60 businesses were checked, seven failed.  In West Fargo, 11 businesses were checked, all passed. 

Failed in Fargo:

Mills Gas Mart, 3730 36th St. S. – 1st fail in 12-month period

Stop-n-Go #427, 1401 S. University Dr. – 1st fail in a 12-month period

Walgreen’s #11552, 4201 13th Ave. S. – 1st fail in a 12-month period

M&H, 1602 Main Ave. – 2nd fail in a 12-month period

Stop-n-Go #436, 204 42nd St. S. – 2nd fail in a 12-month period

Fargo South Pointe, 3202 33rd St. S. – 2nd fail in a 12-month period

Hornbacher’s #687, 1532 32nd Ave. S. – 2nd fail in a 12-month period

 Penalties in Fargo are as follows:

The 1st failure in a one year time period – one year probation

The 2nd failure in a one year time period – three day suspension of the tobacco license

The 3rd failure in a one year time period – 10 day suspension of the tobacco license

Public Hearing April 1 to Discuss Proposed Development

FARGO, N.D. (Feb. 26, 2014) – The City of Fargo Planning Department has received an application for a single family housing development on the Cardinal Meunch property in north Fargo. The site is immediately south of the Edgewood Golf Course. The proposed development would include 60 single family housing lots. The developer is Comstock Holding Company, LLC.

 The Fargo Planning Commission will be holding a hearing on the proposed development on Tuesday, April 1, at 5 p.m. at Fargo City Hall, 200 3rd St. N. Information on the applications is available on the homepage of the City of Fargo website, www.cityoffargo.com. Comments on the proposed development can be sent to the Fargo Planning Department at 200 3rd St. N., Fargo or via email at planning@cityoffargo.com. 

 The Fargo Planning Department is working with the Fargo Park District to provide additional access to the property from Golf Course Avenue North. There is access to the property from 35th Ave. N.