Board of Equalization and American Savings Bank Cautions of Phishing Attacks

Recently, American Savings Bank stated that they got to know about two e-mail phishing attempts. The first attempt happened on September 27, 2010 and the second attempt occurred on 7th October 2010, as reported by 'Hawaii News Now' on 8th Oct. 2010.

According to the experts, in both the phishing attempts, the e-mail pretends as if it has come from the bank and directs the users to a non-ASB website. This phishing e-mail asks the receiver to take action against the prevention of suspension of their access to online banking.

ASB cautioned and in co-ordination with federal authorities worked to shut down the fake website. Besides, ASB cautioned users and said that if they receive an e-mail that pretends to be from ASB, do not open any link or attachment enclosed in that e-mail or do not furnish any private information, as reported by 'Hawaii News Now' on 8th Oct. 2010.

To be safeguarded from these phishing e-mails, the bank recommends customers to check their credit report on a regular basis to ensure that it is correct and displays only customer authorized activity.

Similarly, Board of Equalization (BEO) highlighted that taxpayers are being attacked by cybercriminals with the help of an Internet "phishing" e-mail scheme that pretends to be come from a tax agency and says that the taxpayers' federal Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments didn't transfer, as reported by "Central Valley Business Times" on 12th Oct. 2010.

Commenting on the issue, BOE said that these phishing e-mails directed the taxpayers to another website for extra information. However, the e-mail doesn't come from a tax agency like, California BOE.

Besides, BOE recommended that taxpayers shouldn't open the enclosed links or reply to the sender because it might be a phishing trick and taxpayers must regularly check their bank accounts to validate account status and whether EFT payments have transferred or not as BOE does not frequently send e-mail notices about EFT payment rejections.

BOE further stated that according to the present normal protocol, when EFT payments are rejected, BOE either calls the taxpayer or sends a bill via mail.

Related article: Brit Computer Users Third-Most Targeted by Cyber Criminals, Says Report

» SPAMfighter News - 10/18/2010