Co-operative Bank Latest Target of Phishing Campaign

A new phishing e-mail campaign has attacked Wellington, New Zealand-based Co-operative Bank, published stuff.co.nz, December 15, 2014.

The fraudulent message requests recipients, apparently customers of the bank, to fulfill a validation process so their A/C may continue without getting suspended. Subsequently, the e-mail directs the recipients for following a web-link for accessing the bank's site.

Internet fraudsters keep inventing fresh techniques for deceptively making people divulge their private details, with phishing over e-mail or phone as one such method. So when the details like password, log-in credentials or account number land up with the scammers they can steal the victim's money and/or identity, the bank officers caution.

Anna Aitchison Spokeswoman of Co-operative Bank Communications confirms that cyber-criminals have indeed targeted the bank although there's been no information about any accountholder becoming victimized. Stuff.co.nz published this.

Kirk Hope Chief Executive of New Zealand Bankers' Association says that banks will help innocent people who've been victimized with fraud by compensating their loss. Stuff.co.nz published this.

Martin Cocker Director of NetSafe described phishing scams as a continuing hazard. Stuff.co.nz published this.

Scams usually occurred in particular seasons so Christmas was a most appropriate period for sending people phishing e-mails.

Cocker advised the public to report any scam they encountered to NetSafe or Co-operative Bank.

The Bank's officials urged customers not to reveal personal PIN else username and password for online-banking to anybody. No bank would ever tell its customers to provide such confidential information. Incase anybody made such a request no matter whether he claimed to be the user's bank representative alternatively some retailer the user knew that person would most likely be attempting at defrauding the user similar as within the aforementioned instance.

When any e-mail appears doubtful, its recipient should check it twice prior to giving away personal information.

Meanwhile, it isn't just banks in New Zealand that are encountering phishing scams. During mid-June last year (2013), fraudulent e-mails were spotted that claimed as being from SunTrust a US-based bank telling contact details about the recipients had been made up-to-date while the updated details were provided in a web-link that should be clicked for viewing the same.

» SPAMfighter News - 12/24/2014