Phishing E-mails hit Westpac Customers’ Inboxes

Accountholders with Australia-based Westpac Bank have been urged for remaining vigilant of bogus electronic mails posing as the Bank's messages, thus published softpedia.com dated January 11, 2013.

Exhibiting a caption, "Westpac Update Account Information," the fake e-mails tell the Westpac client that the bank has withdrawn his credit card since it detected an error within the information related to it.

The error occurred because the client either altered his billing address; entered incorrect details for the processing of bill-payment; his card date was over; or he didn't make his Westpac profile up-to-date.

The Bank therefore requires that he update his details so he can continue using his credit card. The updating is possible by visiting a given web-link.

But, incase he has already updated the details regarding his billing system in that situation he may ignore the message.

The e-mail then suggests the importance of resolving the problem in 72-hrs for, otherwise the bank will be compelled for terminating his credit card for good. The reason why the requested confirmation is solicited is for making sure his card account doesn't get fraudulently used, the message concludes.

Nevertheless, the e-mail hasn't been sent from Westpac Bank rather it's one phishing scam, crafted for filching information from the bank's accountholders. Web-links embedded on the e-mail lead onto one fake site that appears same as the actual Westpac site. Further, following the web-links produces an online form, which directs users to provide own name and number mentioned on their payment-card, the type and expiration date of the card, his birth date, country, security number, mother's name before marriage, account security hint as well as plentiful other information.

Also suppose anyone submits all the details asked, he'll sure lose them to the e-mail phishers on the other end who'll make use of them for committing ID-theft and/or fraudulent transactions.

Meanwhile, Westpac re-iterated online that it wouldn't ever request its customers to update, confirm alternatively rectify their Internet banking information through an e-mail response.

Significantly though anybody believing he's got the scam e-mail must erase it instantly, while get in touch with the bank straight away through its 132-032 hotline number.

Related article: Phishing Attacks, Growing in Sophistication

» SPAMfighter News - 1/17/2013