Phishing: Don’t Get Hooked!
New ‘Phishing’ scams have been reported to Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service.
The latest falsely claim to come from the Alliance and Leicester, Barclays Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland and invite the recipient to click on a link in the email to verify their account details.
Those that do face the prospect of having their password data, and personal and financial information stolen, and used fraudulently.
It is estimated that at least 20% of email users receive at least five phishing emails every day and some 5% of all recipients respond to them.
Some purport to come from banks or building societies, but any organisation that might hold personal or financial information on an individual, including shops, supermarkets, and auction websites could be copied.
Mark Ryder, Head of Warwickshire Trading Standards Service advises computer users to be cautious.
“However genuine these requests appear to be, they are very likely to be fraudulent and you should delete them immediately, without opening them or clicking on any links they may contain.
If you do believe the organisation in question is trying to contact you, contact them yourself via a telephone number, email address or website you know to be genuine.”
Increasingly, the bogus email will request cash point PIN’s and as well as bank account numbers, and very often the 3 digit security number on the back of your card. With these criminal gangs can charge goods and services they buy over the phone or on the Internet to your cards/account.
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.