Hawaii National Bank Target of Phishing Scam

Hawaii National Bank issued a warning on May 16, 2008 asking its customers to look out for an Internet e-mail scam that seeks users' private information. The Honolulu-based bank is the most recent financial institution that has given warning to its customers about a phishing scam. Besides, the bank said that it never sends an e-mail requesting for passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers.

Phishing is a technique in which users of Internet receive false e-mails that ask for personal information. These e-mails, which purport to be from authentic sources, usually ask the recipient falsely to upgrade his account details.

In the latest scam, some Hawaii Bank customers received an e-mail telling them that it was necessary for the bank to upgrade the customers' account particulars, therefore, they should provide the details of their bank account number, password and debit card number. At the same time, the e-mail also warned that failure to provide the information would lead to shut down of the recipient's account.

However, Hawaii National Bank assured that the safety of its customers' details was the greatest priority for it. While the bank was taking the issue seriously, it said that it doesn't ask customers to confirm their account details over e-mail.

Meanwhile, the bank has suggested that no one should reply to the e-mails or provide personal information. It also said that the bank was coordinating with the security investigators to determine the source of the phony e-mails and to shut it down.

While e-mail scams appear to be constantly changing, the recent trick makes it more difficult to trace its con artist. The e-mail is an advanced form of phishing e-mail designed to appear as though it is from the Hawaii National Bank. Such phishing e-mails usually deliver password-stealing trojans that are loaded onto the potential victim's computer. Other times, the attack is through a phishing Website or through spear phishing Websites that are highly targeted.

Further, phishing scams have rapidly increased these days especially on banks and other financial institutions. At the same time, a large, vigorous and strongly financed underground economy has developed where the stolen information is bought and sold.

Related article: Hi-Tech Security Systems To Counter Sophisticated Hacking

» SPAMfighter News - 5/23/2008