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FDIC Consumer Alert: Phishing Email Consumer Alert Issued
September 11, 2006
The FDIC has received a report of a new email that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. However, instead of a typical phishing email that might ask the recipient to click on a hyperlink to a spoofed Web site, this email appears to deliver malicious software on to the recipient's computer.
After describing the FDIC and deposit insurance, the email describes "a small client utility" that bank customers are asked to install on home and business computers "which is used to open Online Banking sessions." The email goes on to state that "[t}his utility only starts whenever an online session is opened with a Financial Institution insured by the FDIC, thus it will never interfere with any programs installed on your computer. Please help us combat fraud by installing, ProBank on any computer that is used to open an Online Banking session."
The email also asks institutions to "advertise and market the ProBank's existence to employees, suppliers, third-party service providers and customers." It suggests channels, such as "bank newsletters, memoranda, written policy, and internal and external bank Web sites."
This email is a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal information from consumers and businesses. Consumers and businesses should NOT click the link provided within the body of the email or install any software on their computer which is unfamiliar.
Additionally, financial institutions should not "advertise and market the ProBank's existence" to anyone as the email suggests.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site.
