FDIC Warns of Bogus E-Mail

At the end of last week, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued a consumer alert warning of a bogus e-mail purporting to be from the FDIC. The e-mail offers recipients $50 for participating in a survey, and asks them to click on a link to a web site. The FDIC alert states that the probable reason for this e-mail is either to collect sensitive information from respondents, or to download malicious software onto the computers of respondents.

The FDIC alert reminds consumers that the FDIC does not send out unsolicited e-mails to consumers. Although the survey approach is new, this is not the first time bogus e-mails claiming to be from the FDIC have been sent out. Another common approach to obtaining sensitive information is to send e-mails claiming to be from your bank. These may even have links to very realistic-looking web sites that are really just fronts for collecting private information.

MoneyRates.com reminds you of a few common-sense pointers:

• Attempts to collect sensitive information may come by e-mail or telephone, but the same rule applies: unless the caller or the e-mail address is well known to you, don't accept it as genuine unless it is verified by a contact you make via a publicly-listed number for the institution.
• Certain information should rarely be given out in response to incoming queries. This includes your social security number and account numbers for savings accounts, money market accounts, CDs, or checking accounts.
• Never get flustered into giving a quick response. Legitimate organizations will give you time, allow you to call back if you prefer, and give you a reasonable explanation for why the information is needed.

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