Consumer Alerts
Fraudulent E-mails Claiming to be from the FDIC
October 27, 2009 - Emails fraudulently claiming to be from the FDIC are attempting to trick recipients into installing unknown software on personal computers. These emails falsely indicate that recipients should download and open a 'personal FDIC insurance file' to check their depost insurance coverage. The 'insurance file' may actually be a form of spyware or malicious code and may collect personal or confidential information. Financial institutions and consumers are urged not download the executable files or access the web site link provided in the email.
The FDIC does not issue unsolicited e-mails to consumers. Information on cyber-fraud incidents may be electronically forwarded to FDIC's Cyber-Fraud Crimes section at alert@fdic.gov.
Credit Card Interest Rate Reduction Telephone Scam
May 19, 2009 - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is receiving reports of a new telephone scam from a company that refers to itself as "CreditCard Services." The company claims to be affiliated with the FDIC and offers to lower credit card interest rates.
To verify qualification of the lower interest rate, the caller asks for personal or confidential information. This scam is a variation of a telephone scam in which identity thieves try to persuade consumers to provide information such as, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, social security numbers, and PIN numbers, in the attempt to access accounts or to commit identity theft.
The Federal Trade Commission encourages consumers to report telemarketing fraud at FTC.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP. See the following link to the FTC's Web site for more information: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel19.shtm
E-Mails Claiming to Be From the FDIC
March 25, 2009 - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports of a fraudulent e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC.
The subject line of the e-mail states: "Inquiry about your bank account." The e-mail tells recipients that, "due to many fraud and money laundering attempts made by non-US residents the past 2 months using fake information to open US bank accounts, and using them for illegal purposes, we require all FDIC member's banks customers to update some information on their bank accounts as soon as possible in order to confirm their identities."
The e-mail then asks recipients to follow a hyperlink and then to click on their bank’s logo. It then informs recipients that they will be redirected to their bank’s Web site "through a specialized link" and that, once logged in, they will need to "fill some information."
This e-mail is fraudulent. Recipients should consider the intent of this e-mail as an attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to on-line banking services or to conduct identity theft.
To report a fraud, send an e-mail to the FDIC financial crimes unit at alert@fdic.gov or call the FDIC toll-free at 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342).
Fraud Protection
Tips for Consumers |
- Reconcile your statement each month and check for unauthorized transactions.
- Report any suspicious inquiries or unauthorized
account transactions to your bank immediately.
- Never give out your checking account number
unless it is a call you have initiated.
- Reveal checking account information only to
businesses you know to be reputable.
- Shred or tear-up canceled checks and deposit slips before discarding them.
- Notify your bank if you don’t receive your checks in a reasonable amount of time.
- Use dark ink, never light colors or pencil that can be easily erased or covered.
- Don’t leave blank spaces on the payee or amount lines.
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