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Some crafty criminals are aiming to steal one of the most valuable pieces of your personal property: your banking information.
In a new warning, the Federal Bureau of Investigation warns account holders of a new spam email scheme that involves a type of malware called "Gameover." The scheme involves fake emails from the National Automated Clearing House Association, the Federal Reserve or the FDIC. These messages attempt to trick recipients into clicking on a link to resolve some type of issue with their accounts or a recent ACH transaction. Once you click on the link, Gameover takes over your computer, and thieves can steal usernames, passwords and your money.
The FBI also warns the thieves' hacking capabilities can navigate around common user authentication methods banks use to verify your identity, which is certainly a cause for concern. Those additional authentication steps -- often personal questions, birth dates or other pieces of private information -- are meant to provide some extra security padding.
While phishing scams are nothing new to the world of online banking, this type of warning serves as a reminder of just how susceptible account holders can be to malicious attacks. As more account holders begin to jump on the mobile banking bandwagon, it's important to remember that a smartphone essentially acts as another computer. While this additional connection to the Internet is convenient, it also serves as another outlet where your information can be compromised.
Here are a few crucial steps to take to avoid falling victim to this type of Internet crime.
- Keep your computer and mobile device updated with the newest versions of anti-virus software.
- If you have any doubts about an email sender's authenticity, do not click on any embedded links.
- Remember, banks never request any personal information via email.
- Be vigilant about checking your account balances. The sooner you notice and report any type of fraudulent activity, the more likely you'll be able to be reimbursed for any missing funds.
Have you ever fallen victim to an online banking attack? If so, do you have any tips for other readers to avoid the trap?
most banks will let you choose if a type of activity looks too frequent or different amount but same method they will call you on your phone to ask if this is ok or not.too many people rely on emails when they are usually the basis of the scam.also if ever notified,just call on line banking support and see if this is legit or a fraud.
i had an text message on my cell phone last sun evening, i called my bank and was told it was a scam not to answer , it said my bank account had been delited
One problem with many, many e-mails is the sender doesn't use the BCC feature so e-mail addresses are also included in the e-mail. Then further forwarding in the same way adds even more e-mail addresses to the e-mail. This provides scammers/spammers a rich source to harvest e-mail addresses to bilk the unsuspecting of their hard earned resources. So use the BCC feature. And delete the existing e-mail addresses you get when forwarding an e-mail.
Personas desde Manila estan enviando correos electrnicos donde te informan que tienes dinero a traves de W.Union. Un tal Dr. David todo es un fraude. Atencion autoridades de la ley.
we where robbed by roule in manilla who got access to the automatic payment for our virgin phone , he duplicated our monthly charge and upped the minutes to charge extra . neither our bank ( bank of america ) or virgin would help recover some $300 -400
so be carefull who you allow to charge your bank acount , and dont belive those that say your protected
jorge
Just a note. Bank America has a free service that notifies, by email, for every transaction made against ones (BoA) checking account or visa. It is instant.
I did receive there email and thought it to be very strange that it came to a particular email address of ours as only customers of this email address, so it goes to show you can't trust anyone!
FROM: The Electronic Payments Association [alerts@nacha.org]
SUBJECT: ACH transaction canceled
The ACH transfer (ID: 88229701622843), recently initiated from your bank account (by you or any other person), was rejected by the other financial institution.
Rejected transaction
Transaction ID: 88229701622843
Reason for rejection See details in the report below
Transaction Report report_88229701622843.doc (Microsoft Word Document)
13450 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 100
Herndon, VA 20171
2011 NACHA - The Electronic Payments Association
i WAS SCAMMED NOT TOO LONG AGO WHERE THE SCAMMER POSED AS AA LEGITIMATE COMPANY AND WANTED MY BANKING INFORMATION. THE BEST ADVICE i CAN GIVE AFTER THIS VERY EMBARASSING SITUATION IS NEVER, NEVER GIVE OUT ANY INFORMATION BY EMAIL BECAUSE ALL LEGITIMATE BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WILL NOT REQUEST ANYTHING BY EMAIL. jUST ERASE IT AND IF (PROBABLY) IT OCCURS A SECOND TIME, DO THE SAME THING AND IGNORE IT!!!
All the Banks want to do paperless transactions
To virtually eliminate frauds and scams that use traditional postal or electronic means is by ensuring that each person that knowingly played an active role are get a 80 pound ankle monitoring device that is stamped with a the last known location and their new house arrest location.
Then simply drop them off afterwards with a TV reporter and camera crew on the story which is five miles out in the ocean.
I believe in keeping families together for those whom work together too ; ).