Watch out for fake e-mails saying they’re from the FDIC
June 27, 2011
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has received many reports of fraudulent e-mails that say they’re from the FDIC.
The e-mails appear to be sent from various "@fdic.gov" e-mail addresses, such as "[email protected]," "[email protected]," or “[email protected].”
They have subject lines that read: "FDIC: Your Business Account" or "FDIC: About Your Business Account."
The e-mails are addressed to "Business Customer" or "Business Owner" and state, "We have important information about your bank" or "…financial institution." They then ask recipients to "Please click here to find details."
They conclude with, "This includes information on the acquiring bank (if applicable), how your accounts and loans are affected, and how vendors can file claims against the receivership."
These e-mails and the link included are fraudulent and weren’t sent by the FDIC, Sandra L. Thompson, director, Division of Risk Management Supervision said in a statement. The intent of the e-mails is an attempt to collect personal or confidential information, or to load malicious software onto consumers' computers, Thompson said.
She said recipients shouldn’t access the link provided in the e-mails and shouldn’t, under any circumstances, provide any personal financial information.
Consumers should be aware that other subject lines and modifications to the e-mails might occur at a later time. The FDIC doesn’t directly contact consumers in by e-mail nor does the FDIC request personal financial information from consumers, Thompson said.
Comments