The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reason to believe that the next terrorist attack may be directed at our wallets, and banks in the Philadelphia area are reacting accordingly.
The FBI advised financial institutions from Virginia to Maine to be wary of potential terrorist attacks, possibly physical, in a warning the agency issued Friday to those institutions on the Eastern coast.
Although the FBI has not released any specific details surrounding the warning, it said that its sources led it to believe that an attack is possible.
Special Agent Joseph Majarowitz of the Philadelphia FBI Field Office, said these warnings are mostly precautionary, but should be taken seriously.
"We have no specific details," Majarowitz said. "But we would rather put this information out to the public."
"Wherever that information came from, there must have been indications that there was a threat," Majarowitz added.
The warning is the latest in a series of alerts that began three months ago from the Department of Justice, the Office of Homeland Security, the Department of the Treasury and the FBI under the Homeland Security Advisory System. The first warning came when the FBI issued a warning of a possible threat to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif.
"We like to err on the side of caution," Majarowitz said. "Plus, I think it serves as an excellent deterrent."
Since the warning was given to banks and other financial institutions along the East coast, there have not been any suspicious activities surrounding those banks.
"There have been no attempted threats which would be out of the ordinary," Majarowitz said.
In Philadelphia, financial giant Mellon will be taking extra precautions for a possible attack.
"We're aware of the warning," Ron Gruendl, a spokesman for Mellon Financial, said. "Mellon's emergency team is alerted to the threat."
According to Gruendl, Mellon has been on heightened alert status since the attacks of Sept. 11.
"We have been on a high status [of alert], and we will continue to be so," Gruendl said. "The proper authorities are monitoring our businesses and all we can do is advise people to be vigilant."
Vigilance is also advised by another Philadelphia financial group -- PNC Bank.
Brian Goerke, spokesman for PNC, said that the institution is taking the threats seriously and will continue to do so.
"We took the threat seriously and we have been in contact with the FBI," Goerke said. "We have a heightened sense of security at all of our branches, but we will maintain business as usual."
Goerke "would advise Americans to be conscious of their surroundings and report any suspicious activities."
While the FBI has issued the warning, it is leaving the specifics of security to the banks themselves.
"Each bank, savings or loan, has their own security," Majarowitz said. "We've let them know, but now we'd like them to take whatever steps that they see fit."
However, while the majority of banks and financial corporations are heightening their security, Penn's Student Federal Credit Union does not see the need for any drastic action.
"I don't think we're under much threat," SFCU Member Services Assistant Director Joseph Devietti said. "We're a small bank, and we're mostly funded by students."
"Don't worry, your money should be safe," the College freshman said to reassure students and costumers.
