Bank customers who use the internet to conduct their finances have been warned about bogus e-mails that ask for personal security details.
Thousands of e-mails are sent out everyday which look like official bank or building society e-mails. The most popular ones are allegedly from Barclays bank and ask for customers to disclose their passwords onto the bogus system. The purpose is to update the system.
This type of e-mail is called ‘phishing’ and the information sent back by innocent customers goes straight to thieves. They then empty bank accounts of their contents.
A spokesperson from Barclays bank said any message stating to be from them should be deleted straight away.
"We never contact our customers by e-mail, so anything that says it is from us, is fake. If you do receive these fake e-mails it does not mean you security has been compromised, because criminals can only access your information if you enter your details."
She added that under the Banking Code, Barclays bank would cover losses incurred in this way.
According to APACS the banking industry body, internet scams are becoming more popular especially after chip-and-pin was introduced.
Chip-and-pin technology initially cut fraud by 13 per cent in the first six months of this year. However as chip-and-pin does not apply to internet transactions, fraudsters only need the information contained on the card to be able to complete transactions.
Bank customers are being reminded by APACS that banks do not ask for security details by e-mail. If you are ever asked for such information in this way you know there is something wrong.
Bogus emails catching out bank customers
Financial Services > e-banking > Banking news
Bogus emails catching out bank customers
Wed, 30 Nov 2005
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