The FDIC put out an alert October 27, 2009 about a rescent email scam. Bogus e-mails fradulently claiming to be from the FDIC are attempting to trick recipients into installing unknown software on their personal computers. The email does not ask the recipient to input any account numbers or specific information, but these eamils falsely indicate that recipients should download and open a "personal FDIC insurance file" to check their deposit insurance coverage. The "insurance file" appears to be a form of spyware intended to collect personal, confidential information as the user later logs into their actual banking web site, or enters credit card numbers for web purchases, etc.
Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity should be sent to:
FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section
550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-3054
Washington, D.C. 20429
or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov
The full article may be accessed at:
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2009/sa09183.html
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These types of scans seem to be growing (I have no idea if they really are or if they are just more salient, so I notice them more). \
ReplyDeletePart of the problem is the speed with which we respond to electronic requests and the ubiquity of EFTs. So when you get a request, it may look like it is from a legitimate source and you respond quickly and ... then your radar clicks in too late.
I wonder if there is an increase in the number of customer requested account changes because of scammers' ever increasing sophistication.
Yes, the battle to fight fraud continually becomes more difficult. But, as the electronic environment grows, I think customer knowledge and awareness grows too.
ReplyDeleteIf only the bad gus would use their brains for good . . .
We would probably have a cure for cancer and aids, in addition to world peace.