A number of instances of the e-mail scam called "Phishing" have been reported in recent days. Phishing is the practice of sending bogus e-mails which appear to come from major banks or corporations and carry links to bogus replica websites. The object of the scam is to lure consumers into parting with personal information such as bank account or credit card details under the pretence that the consumer is dealing with a reputable company. Account or credit card details are then used fraudulently to buy goods and services in the victim’s name.
One such e-mail currently being sent to consumers appears as though it has been sent by a major UK bank and strongly advises the consumer to complete an Online Banking Customer Form by clicking on the fake link contained in the e-mail. The link directs the consumer to an imitation website (which looks just like the real one). The reader is asked to fill in details to confirm their account details in order to ‘update’ their online banking security details.
IPSO advises consumers to be wary of requests for personal information, particularly payment and account details and reminds consumers that their bank or building society would never initiate contact with them for personal details via email.
According to Una Dillon, Head of IPSO Card Services, "Consumers should never give out personal information via the Internet unless they are 100% confident that they are visiting an authentic website. The best way to ensure this is to avoid following links in e-mails. Online banking users should always type the URL of the website they wish to visit into the navigation bar themselves."
This same advice can be applied to personal information being provided over the phone. If consumers receive an unsolicited /unexpected telephone call from an individual professing to be from a bank or other financial institution, they should always ask for a landline telephone number and check it against the phone book and/or hang up and phone their financial institution directly, using the phone number provided on their payment card or bank statement.
For further information on card fraud and simple, but effective techniques to protect against it, please visit www.SafeCard.ie
