Explore the latest news and trends  

Sign up for our weekly security newsletter


Be the first to receive important updates on security





Send

Heritage Bank Customers Target of New E-mail Scam

The Heritage Bank of Hinesville (Georgia, USA) is cautioning customers of phishing e-mails that purport to be from Heritage Bank.

These e-mails targeted at the Heritage Bank's customers began to appear in the inboxes of local residents earlier during the 2nd week of January 2009. They (e-mails) claim that since the bank is conducting its annual update of online banking system, recipients need to click on the link provided in the e-mails and update their information.

The news report further reveal that a typical Heritage spoofed e-mail says that during the bank's regular verification and update of its customers' 'Internet Banking Accounts', the bank could not verify current details of the recipient. Since the recipient's details are either incomplete or changed, his access to the bank's services has been restricted. The e-mail also says that the bank is requesting the recipient to update his information.

Further, when several accountholders at the Heritage Bank received the e-mail, they decided to call the bank. But bank authorities have said that the e-mails are not from the institution and they are investigating the incident.

Bank officials also stated that the new scam artists were actually shameless, as they are exploiting people's concern about the ongoing economic crisis to illicitly make money.

Meanwhile, the Bank's President/CEO, James M. Floyd Jr. said that the Heritage Bank never writes e-mails to its customers requesting them for personal information. Therefore, any such solicitation must be viewed as suspicious and recipients must not click on any given link to respond the message. The official also informed that the bank is working with its IT experts to bring out the details of the case, as reported by coastalcourier on January 16, 2009.

Security experts said that the scammers have reworked on their favorite schemes so that they may exploit the consumers during the ongoing economic slowdown. Evidently, the fraudsters are contacting people via e-mail to unlawfully obtain their confidential information. Thus, the security experts suggest that to avoid such scams, customers must directly call their financial institution or contact the institution's website.

» SPAMfighter News - 2/2/2009

3 simple steps to update drivers on your Windows PCSlow PC? Optimize your Slow PC with SLOW-PCfighter!Email Cluttered with Spam? Free Spam Filter!

Dear Reader

We are happy to see you are reading our IT Security News.

We do believe, that the foundation for a good work environment starts with fast, secure and high performing computers. If you agree, then you should take a look at our Business Solutions to Spam Filter & Antivirus for even the latest version of Exchange Servers - your colleagues will appreciate it!

Go back to previous page
Next