Warwickshire News Mine

Some of the latest reports to reach the Service have come from Stephen Wilks, Chair of Cedar Tree Residents Association and Neighbourhood Watch Nuneaton (visit: http://www.cedartreeresidents.co.uk )

Commenting on the scams, Stephen said:

“I regularly receive these scam ‘phishing’ emails. They usually come from banks or building societies that I do not bank with and those are the easiest to spot. However, some of these emails are very cleverly put together, and as such I think it is important to warn computer users about the dangers and how they can protect themselves.”

Mark Ryder, Head of Warwickshire Trading Standards said:

“It is now estimated that one in five PC users receive at least five phishing emails every day, and as people become more aware of how these fraudsters operate, phishing scams are becoming ever more sophisticated.

Millions of phishing emails are being sent every year, and, as it is estimated that 5% of recipients respond to them, this means that a huge number of people worldwide are potential victims.”

Originally, a fraudulent phishing email was little more than a direct request, purporting to come from a bank or building society, for the recipient to provide the sender with their personal and financial information. However, as computer users have become more savvy, so have the fraudsters.

One of the most common ploys used by Internet criminals is to send out emails containing links that direct the user to a copy of the banks homepage on which the user is asked to verify their customer details and divulge confidential pin numbers and passwords.

And now some of the links actually direct the recipient to the genuine web pages of the banks in question. Hidden in the link however is an instruction that creates a pop up box that overlays the genuine web page. The pop up box asks users to enter their bank account, customer PIN’s and passwords. These are then automatically sent to the fraudsters, who use them to transfer money from the recipients account to other accounts from which money is then withdrawn in cash and using money transfer agents sent to the criminal organisers.

Some links have also requested cash point PIN’s and the 3 digit security number of the reverse of debit cards. This has meant that not only are online bank users at risk of fraud, but so is anyone with a debit card as with these details fraudsters can attempt to clone their cards and withdraw cash at cashpoint machines.

The information gained is also used to create new identities through which fraud is also committed.

Any site where you may be required to put in confidential passwords or financial information, including credit card details, may be copied and abused. The websites of banks, building societies, auction sites and other businesses have all been used to perpetrate these crimes. 

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately.

Follow our advice.

Know who you are dealing with - Always access Internet banking by typing the bank’s address into your web browser. Never go to a website from a link in an email and enter personal details. If in doubt, contact the bank separately on an advertised number.

Keep passwords and PIN numbers safe - Always be wary of unsolicited emails or phone calls asking you to disclose any personal details or card numbers. Keep this information secret. Be wary of disclosing any personal information to someone you don’t know. Your bank and the police would NEVER contact you to ask you to disclose PINs or your password information.

Many banks and other financial institutions have their own online additional security measures, for example, asking customers to keep a record of when they log in. Make sure that you are aware of them.

Keep your PC secure - Use up-to-date anti-virus software, security patches and a personal firewall. Be extra careful if using Internet cafes or any PC which is not your own and over which you have no control.

Check your statement - If you notice anything irregular on your account contact your bank immediately.

Link to WCC