Bank of America Cautions Customers about Phishing Mails

On March 26, 2009, Bank of America (US) issued a new fraud alert to inform its customers about two scams targeting them for their personal information.

The subject line of one of the phishing mail is "Security Notification - Your Online Banking is blocked!!" and begins with "Dear Valued Customer". The mail informs the recipient that the Bank is presently updating its online banking services to ensure safe online banking transactions. It also claims that the Bank has observed that the user has not updated his online account. Therefore, the Bank has sent this e-mail to inform him.

The mail also warns the recipients that the failure of updating the details with the Bank will restrict the use of online banking services. Moreover, a link is provided in the e-mail which tells the user to get started. Besides, the mail signs off by thanking the user to make it look more authentic.

Other phishing mails allegedly came from the customer service department of Bank of America tell the users to confirm their account details by visiting the attached link. By clicking on the link, users are taken to a fake website where the user's information is seized by hackers.

For making the users aware about the scam, Bank of America informs that it does not send unsolicited mails asking for private information of accountholders. In addition, the Bank adds that if the users have any problems with their bank accounts, they can call at their helpdesk numbers.

Further, the Bank has posted some clues on its official website so that the user can distinguish between the authentic and fraudulent site. As per them, several spoofed mails carry urgent appeals, wrong spellings and unknown return addresses which are the indications of a phishing mail.

Moreover, the Bank suggests the users to delete the phishing mails immediately in case they have got them. It also asks the users to report a suspicious e-mail that employs the name of Bank of America and forward it at abuse@bankofamerica.com.

Related article: Bank Issues Spam Alerts

» SPAMfighter News - 3/30/2009