Phishing Scam Against Standard Chartered Bank Customers

Websense Security Labs Network has found that a new phishing scam is targeting customers of Standard Chartered Bank.

The scam involves a fraudulent e-mail that informs recipients that their protected mailbox has a new e-mail, and tries to trick them to visit a spurious website that asks them to enter their login details. The phishing e-mail is crafted to appear like a message from the customer service of Standard Chartered.

Furthermore, the fake e-mail, which copies the bank's corporate logo, notifies recipients that since a software upgrade is in process at the bank; therefore, they need to visit a link and verify their banking particulars. When users click on the link, a form is displayed that resembles one from the bank and requests them to supply their account and credit card number along with their PIN.

Citing this incident, security experts said financial institutions are being increasingly involved in organized e-crime, more importantly with bank security becoming more and more efficient at identifying and preventing fake transfers as well as in foiling money transfers from hijacked accounts.

Moreover, security specialists added that the attack of hoax electronic mails increased the overall volume of phishing attacks in the recent months.

There had been a similar phishing attack against Standard Chartered in 2006 although the targets were its Hong Kong customers. In the current incident, the template for phishing too has been altered. Moreover, given the present unfavorable economic situation, cyber criminals have got rich environment which lures citizens to get involved in illegal activities.

Nevertheless, bank authorities have reminded and warned customers that the institution wouldn't ever request for accountholders' banking details over e-mail. They also said that if customers have any doubt, they must get in touch with the bank personally or call at its official phone numbers.

Moreover, in similar news, Mountain West Bank had also alerted citizens in March 2009 of a particular phishing campaign, stating that scammers used the bank's reputation as lure to obtain PIN codes and account information from its customers.

» SPAMfighter News - 10-04-2009

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