Absa Bank Cautioned Customers Against World-Themed Scam E-mails

Absa Bank has released a warning for its customers about the World-Cup based scam mails appearing to have come from the Bank.

Christo Vrey, Managing Executive of Absa Digital and Self-service Channel, stated that one of the bogus mails claim that the Bank had come up with a beneficial program for the customers to reward them for their continuous and honest support, as per the reports by sowetan on June 2, 2010.

Vrey stated that the mail informed the recipients that their bank accounts would be credited with a certain sum of money during the World Cup under the 'Absa Must Top up Program.'

To claim this offer, the mail adds the Bank has to verify the customer's account and has to deduct a substantial amount from it to assure a share in the program. Besides, the mail goes on to claim that the deducted amount would be given back along with the additional funds due to the customer.

Moreover, the mail asked the targeted customer to click on the attached link to complete the required data. The users, who follow the instructions, are told to fill in a form to submit their bank account user name and password.

Preserving its reputation, Absa clearly stated that it was just a phishing scam and they were not running any such program, as per the reports by iol on June 1, 2010.

In addition, the Bank cautioned its customers that any details revealed on the fake form would be used by cyber criminals to access the real Absa bank accounts. They would use the information for stealing funds from the account and for other bogus activities.

Absa said that any reputed financial institution would not send mails asking users' private details.

Meanwhile, Vrey suggested some precautionary steps to users to avoid such scam mails. The users should always type the web address into their browser and then click on the logon button. Finally, the users should always keep their user number, account number, PIN and passwords safe.

Related article: APACS Reports Phishing On The Rise

» SPAMfighter News - 6/10/2010