Rebranding of Clarien Bank Leads to Phishing Scam Campaign

Bernews reported on 25th April, 2014 stating that scammers started phishing attempts without wasting any time to take advantage of unsuspicious consumers within few days of rebranding of Capital G Bank to Clarien Bank, based in Bermuda.

A phishing email impersonating the Clarien Bank sent out by criminals' with address of emails concluding in "videotron.ca" was identified on 25th April, 2014.

The email told the recipient (referring to the Bank's client) that he was being informed by the Bank that it (Bank) was suspending all his accounts and transactions on its previous server as it was proceeding to migrate to a new Clarien server.

This migration is described as a safety measure. The email requires the recipient's immediate action and asks him to click on a link.

The email provided a link with a logo of Clarien Bank which when clicked directs customer to a fake website.

However, the website was quickly identified as a scam and shut down.

The Bank announced on its official website that customers are reminded to be aware of such fraudulent websites and/or emails which falsely represent Clarien.

The Bank adds that these sites or messages are called "phishing" and these are designed to steal your identity and fraudulently transfer money from your bank accounts online.

Moreover, like Clarien Bank, Beneficial Bank based at Gloucester Township, New Jersey also became victim of a phishing scam. Banks officials directed residents, who have received such emails seeking personal account information, to contact the bank immediately because bank suspects these emails as fraudulent activity.

Here are some tips from the Bank to avoid becoming victim of this fraudulent activity: Firstly, remember that the Bank never asks for account information online from its customers. Secondly, if one gets an email with a request to verify their Clarien account information then one should not respond to such emails.

The Bank will never ask its customers to follow links. The Bank suggests that messages appear to be from Clarien having links of other sites are most likely fraudulent messages as in the above case and never click on any such links and close the message at once.

» SPAMfighter News - 5/5/2014