Hawaii National Bank Warning Customers of ‘New’ Phishing E-mail Scam

As per the latest news reports, Hawaii National Bank has issued a warning to its customers about a phishing scam that involves sending of e-mails bearing the Bank's name. The warning also aims at reminding people that they should avoid clicking on any link provided in fake messages.

Unlike a typical phishing e-mail that presents itself to individuals as an official message from their banks or other financial institutions, with logos and slogans, and describes the situation which requires immediate attention or warning of account termination if they do not provide account information, the method of phishing in the latest case is slightly different. It includes names of some specific Bank officials to make the spoofed e-mails seem more authentic to the recipients.

As far as access to e-mail addresses is concerned, security experts said that phishers have made their list through a number of methods, including mining the Internet to search e-mail addresses on newsgroups, blogs, forums and contest entries. These e-mails are sent randomly without knowing whether the recipient has account with the Bank or not.

Meanwhile, the reports coming in from the Bank have disclosed that it is trying to shut down fraudulent websites from where these e-mails are originating in coordination with Internet security experts and law enforcement agencies.

Moreover, Hawaii National Bank said in a statement that it does not send e-mails requesting for personal information from customers, as reported by honoluluadvertiser on November 19, 2008.

The Bank further asked its customers to immediately inform their respective branch if they receive such e-mails and post alert on their credit files. Also, e-mail recipients should closely check their account statements when they get feeling that they are becoming victim of phishing.

The recipients of alleged e-mails are directed to forward them to abuse.hnb@hnbhawaii.com or call at (808) 528-7824. Those customers who think they disclosed their information by mistake should get in touch with Hawaii National Bank on its helpline numbers so that the staff could help recipients what they should do to safeguard their bank details.

Related article: Hi-Tech Security Systems To Counter Sophisticated Hacking

» SPAMfighter News - 12/4/2008