BBB Warns About Phishing Attacks Against Local Banks

The BBB (Better Business Bureau) in Southeast Texas is warning all consumers and businesses in the region about a phishing scam spoofing local banks to lure recipients into revealing their bank account as well as other confidential information.

The BBB disclosed that Orange Savings Bank has been attacked again following which the agency has been receiving lots of complaints. It says that people holding an account with Orange Savings Bank are getting e-mails, computerized phone calls and text messages asking for their personal details.

Security specialists have stated that the hoax e-mail encourages consumers not to get in touch with Orange Savings Bank.

Meanwhile, according to Jay Sheppard, Dispute Resolution Director, BBB, anyone receiving a phone call that gives a contact number should not respond to it. When the community answers these calls, the scammers find reason to keep targeting the area. Therefore, by not answering, a clear message is given that the fraudsters must give up and go away as people are not falling to their tricks, as reported by KBMTNews on October 1, 2008.

Furthermore, BBB suggests that consumers must not share their personal information with any stranger. If an inbound e-mail seems doubtful, then the user must call his bank or the organization spoofed, over phone at the number given in the billing statement, or through the e-mail address that is actual provided by the legitimate company, as reported by KBMTNews on October 1, 2008.

Besides, the BBB advises that if anyone suspects that an unfamiliar source has "phished" his private information, then he should presume that he either is or soon would be a victim of ID theft, and so he should immediately act in self defense.

The agency further urges users to report any phishing fraud to it through its ID theft Website designed to give assistance to victims. Alternatively, victims could report by calling at phone numbers the BBB provides.

Meanwhile, BBB has notified Orange Savings Bank about the new phishing scam and the bank is doing its best to warn its customers about not handing over personal information.

Related article: BBA Outlines Steps To Ward Off Online Fraud

» SPAMfighter News - 10/8/2008