Phishers Use Fake UTI Logo

Phishing activity is high with fraudsters aiming an increasing number of brands by using more sophisticated techniques in attempts to swindle online banking customers. The recent addition to such banks is 'UTI Bank'.

Lately, phishers have been increasing their activities in the Indian banking scene. 'State Bank of India' and 'ICICI Bank' are some of the banks, which have already suffered some bouts of phishing. Now crafty spoof e-mails using the UTI Bank logo are up and on.

The e-mail informs customers that their UTI Bank accounts will stand suspended if they don't re-update their account information. It entices customers to click on a link and key-in the account details. The e-mail warns that the suspension period will be 24 hours, after which the account will exist no more if update is not complete.

When the e-mail recipient clicks on the link, the person is taken to a 'geocities' page. 'Geocities' creates free web pages from Yahoo quite similar to 'Google pages'. This particular geocities page contains a replica of the UTI logo page. This page is actually a fake page and in no way associates with UTI Bank. Although the link name is 'UTIbank.co.in', it doesn't lead to the legitimate UTI Bank site, instead it takes the reader to the geocities pages.

The e-mail text announces UTI's Internet banking's 'New Security Upgrade'. It says the bank has upgraded its new SSL servers to provide customers with improved banking service. Owing to this, the e-mail requests the customer's account information.

The e-mail also cautions not to respond if recipient gets any e-mail appearing to be from UTI Bank informing about changes made in his/ her personal info, account details or user id and password of the Internet banking facility.

UTI Bank holds a policy neither to seek nor send such information via e-mail. For those who have disclosed their passwords should change them immediately.

Cases as above show how phishing is taking its toll. A March 2006 survey by 'Pew Internet Life' estimates that of 1,371 Internet users, 63% respondents said they had low confidence in e-mails. In June, the number came down to 52%.

Related article: Phishers Expand Their Sphere of Attacks

» SPAMfighter News - 12/15/2006