BBB Cautions about Phishing E-mails Supposedly from American Express

BBB issued an alert to everyone for remaining vigilant of a phishing e-mail that masquerading as American Express is extraordinarily sophisticated and currently circulating online, published krmg.com dated March 16, 2012.

It maybe noted that American Express, which's headquartered in the USA, is a financial services company operating across multiple countries.

The fake e-mail with the subject line "Thanks for Updating Your E-mail" is cleverly crafted so it nearly looks like a real e-mail with the color scheme and logo of American Express.

It (e-mail), referring to the recipient as Cardholder, tells him that the company altered his e-mail id within its records to [EMAIL], which in case is right, liberates the recipient for ignoring the message. But, suppose the altered id isn't right or the user didn't ask for the change then he requires following a given web-link, alternatively accessing online.americanexpress.com, the e-mail suggests.

Meanwhile, the e-mail tries to appear lawful and genuine so it adds to the main message that the recipient's Cardmember Information can be found within the top right-hand area which will prove that the e-mail has been sent through the American Express customer-server. And if the user wants additional info regarding e-mail security alternatively notify any dubiously-crafted e-mail then he should visit americanexpress.com/phishing. Finally, the e-mail urges the recipient against answering the message rather contact the company safely by clicking the given web-link of customer-service.

Here BBB notes that each web-link embedded on the e-mail actually leads onto an intermediate site carrying a malware installer that infects the computer of the URL user.

However, the above spam mails can be prevented from disseminating malicious software if, states BBB, users follow its few simple security suggestions. These are not answering the uncalled for e-mails nor following the web-links inside them for, opening the e-mails alternatively following their web-links can result in malware being discreetly downloaded onto the computer.

Besides, anyone, who has fallen prey to the above fake e-mail, must inform his area police as also formally complain to the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Bureau of Investigation in addition to reporting the dubious e-mail to his ISP, BBB recommends.

Related article: BBA Outlines Steps To Ward Off Online Fraud

» SPAMfighter News - 3/24/2012