Business Advisors Release Warning Against Phishing E-mails

A business advisory firm in Preston (UK) has issued a warning to businesses to be extra cautious after scam government e-mails being dispatched to companies came into limelight. The scam makes promise of a tax refund, as reported by thecitizen on October 28, 2008.

Moore and Smalley Chartered Accountants and other business advisors have reported an increase in their number of clients who received such kinds of e-mails that pretend to come from HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) and based on a tax rebate. These e-mails contain HMRC logo along with reference number and have been sent from legitimate e-mail addresses like TaxRefund@hmrc.gov.uk.

However, these e-mails are primarily sent to capture online banking details of as many businesses and individuals as possible and include a link to accomplish the task. Thus, the advisory urges people who have received or may receive e-mails, posing to represent HMRC and asking banking account details, to delete them at once without giving a second thought.

Commenting on the problem, security experts state that these e-mails might look genuine, but they are not. It is obvious that seeing the legitimate logo, a false sense of security emerged but anyone could ask himself which legitimate businesses need private information like bank account details over e-mail because reputed organizations never ask for such things.

However, with fewer businesses and consumer targets, cyber-criminals are looking for new resources and redirecting their efforts to make attacks according to the market. For instance, they are manipulating attacks with changing trend in card market from credit card to debit card.

Moreover, organized cyber-criminal groups have started exploiting the current global financial meltdown by targeting those people whose banks have folded, or attacking those who shop online less, but spend most of their time at home.

People have become very conscious about their finances and economic situation than they used to be during normal time, resulting in securing their network and systems. They are frequently visiting their online banking and brokerage accounts that increases the chances of waking up already implanted malware.

Related article: Businesses Asked To Shoulder Security Of Online Transactions

» SPAMfighter News - 11/18/2008