Increase in Investment Scam through Email

NBSC warned the users that hackers are widely using user's e-mail accounts in order to obtain information about online investment account, as published in CBC news on February 03, 2012. Moreover it is also observed that this trend is increasing in the US and Canada.
The commissioner Fraudster at the first instance gained access to the e-mail account of a user, by sending fake e-mail with malicious links holding popular bank name. On clicking such link, the user is redirected to the malicious page where they are to fill all the details of bank account, which is used to grab the login credentials for online transaction to make illegal trades.

According to the commissioner, the receipt of reports or mails from unknown addresses indicates spam mails. It also indicates the involvement of hacking activity, as per the commissioner.

In some of the latest events, the perpetrators explored the victim's sent folder for acquiring brokerage account information. E-mails were also sent to the broker requesting them for fund transfer. These e-mails contained attached legal letters of authorization that were downloaded from the broker's website, or forcefully through fake letter of authorization.

On the instant of a long delay by the brokerage, The Financial Regulatory Services (FINRA), accords that the thieves send some follow up e-mails to create hype towards the urgency of the situation, reported Reuters on February 06, 2012.

According to Gerri Walsh, Vice President for investor education at FINRA, there is a pattern involved in manipulating dramatic circumstances. Obvious examples include declaration to be out of the country or at funeral appealing sympathy and creating a sense of urgency to create pressure to the firms into releasing funds before confirming the authenticity of the e-mailed instructions, as published in news by the Reuters on February 06, 2012.

The Commissioner added that people might realize a sudden change in their password and other account settings, or that their e-mail provider had blocked from getting into their account.

Especially, the Commissioner also recommended users that on account of an hacking activity of an e-mail account, or on instant that if the person thinks that their private and financial details has been hacked, the person should immediately contact their investment firm and other financial to inform them about the event. To further protect one's account, one can also change their username, password, and personal identification number for all financial accounts.

Related article: Increasing Security Breaches in Canada Causing Loss of $637,000 a year

» SPAMfighter News - 2/15/2012