Online Scams Plague Manitowoc’s First National Bank

Though April Fools' Day tricks targeted at buddies and family can be easily condoned, but each year multitude of persons finds out the difficult way that not all tricks are pleasant. For cyber-criminals, each day is April Fools' Day and their preferred trick is phishing.

Today the Manitowoc Police Department got word from Manitowoc's First National Bank that many of their clients were getting e-mail messages from scammers seeking confidential account details.

First National Bank's officers alleged that the e-mails were being conveyed from a site in Vietnam and China, as stated by Lt. Paul Schermetzler.

The message asks the target for confidential details, assuring them that they will get $50 for taking part in the survey, stated Schermetzler, in Htrnews' 13th April 2007 release.

This phishing scam entails deluding the net users into disclosing confidential details like fiscal information, credit card details, account identifications, key and social security details. Cyber-criminals take the help of emails or real-time instant messages (IMs) that seem to be lawful and contain links to a fake site.

After you are snared, phishers can manipulate your confidential data to carry out identity theft, misuse your credit cards, exhaust your bank balance, peruse your electronic messages, and shut you out of your Internet account by altering your access code.

The First National Bank along with the Manitowoc Police Department is informing people that bank functionaries will never request clients for their private account details online or telephonically. They often reiterate that if you are doubtful don't login. Instead, open another window and visit the chief site address and maneuver from there.

Don't ever divulge your banking details over the net except on a secured site, and your bank's authorized Internet site. "Be careful and sensible while conducting online dealings", Schermetzler reported in Htrnews' April 13, 2007's copy.

FNB warns clients to confirm the Internet address as phishing sites frequently have an incorrectly spelt name of a firm. The bank also states that phishing may conduct you to a lawful site, but then again make use of a pop-up window to get hold of your banking details.

Related article: Online Card Fraud Shows Greater Tendency Than Chip and Pin

» SPAMfighter News - 4/21/2007