FDIC Email Scam

E-mail Claiming to Be From the FDIC – January 21, 2011 (last updated)

On January 12, 2011 in a Special Alert (SA-10-2011) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) advised that it has received numerous reports from consumers who received an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC.  The e-mail informs the recipient that “in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, federal, state and local governments…” the FDIC has withdrawn deposit insurance from the recipient’s account “due to account activity that violates the Patriot Act.”  It further states deposit insurance will remain suspended until identity and account information can be verified using a system called “IDVerify.”  If consumers go to the link provided in the e-mail, it is suspected they will be asked for personal or confidential information, or malicious software may be loaded onto the recipient’s computer.

This e-mail is fraudulent and was not sent by the FDIC.  It is an attempt to obtain personal information from consumers.  Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the link provided within the body of the e-mail and should NOT under any circumstances provide any personal information through this media.

The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the message and disrupt the transmission.  Until this is achieved, consumers are asked to report any similar attempts to obtain this information to the FDIC by sending information to alert@fdic.gov

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2011/sa11010.html

E-mail Claiming to Be From the FDIC – April 30, 2010

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports of a fraudulent e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC.

The subject line of the e-mails state: “Just for your time.” The e-mail tells recipients that, “The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Online department kindly asks you to take part in our quick and easy 5 questions survey.” It attempts to entice recipients to take the “survey” by telling them “In return we will credit $50.00 to your account – Just for your time!” The e-mail then directs recipients to click on a link to take the survey (a fraudulent link is provided).

This e-mail and associated Web site are fraudulent. Recipients should consider the intent of this e-mail as an attempt to collect personal or confidential information, or to load malicious software onto end users’ computers.

The FDIC does not issue unsolicited e-mails to consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT follow the link in the fraudulent e-mail.