Saturday July 29, 2006
Beware bank queries scam
By ANDREW SAGAYAM
KUALA LUMPUR: The next time you get an e-mail that your bank is upgrading its website and needs details of your accounts, call your bank first to verify.
A syndicate operating an Internet scam called “phishing” has tricked customers into giving details of their bank accounts and then fraudulently withdrawing their money.
Since the scam was first reported last month, 15 victims have lodged reports at the Federal Commercial Crime headquarters. The highest loss suffered was RM18,000.
Federal Commercial Crime chief Comm Datuk Ramli Yusuff said the syndicate had sent out e-mails to victims to update their accounts as soon possible, claiming the bank was upgrading its website.
“After the victims give their personal identification, password, account number and user ID, syndicate members would withdraw cash or use the information to purchase items,” Comm Ramli said.
Police are advising the public to contact their banks first before revealing the details of their account.
“The Internet fraud dubbed “phishing” directs e-mail recipients to a fake website to get their financial details. Such scams have been around for several years.
“We hope that the public will be more alert and help us crack down on these syndicates whose members, we believe, are locals,” said Comm Ramli.
He said due to today's advanced technology, the syndicate did not require assistance from bank insiders.
Recently, it was reported that fraudsters tried to steal bank account details from customers of a California bank by sending account-holders e-mails asking them to telephone the bank.
As opposed to “phishing, the so-called “vishing” relies on Voice over Internet Protocol telephony. Customers who called the telephone number were greeted by a recorded message urging them to enter their account number.
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