There is an increasing number of e-mail phishing scams going around at the moment. One e-mail scam in particular which I have come across quite a few times recently is from someone claiming to be Santander Online Banking.
It was relatively easy for me to pick up on the fact that it was a scam as I don’t even have an account with Santander. I have included the content of the e-mail below. Another aspect you should not be fooled by is the from e-mail address, even though the e-mail states that the e-mail is from ‘notice@santander.co.uk’ it is easy for someone with the know how to appear to be someone else through e-mail.
One more thing that makes it blatantly obvious that it is a phishing scam is the attached file called form.html (I would advise not opening this – may have viruses etc.). The attachment asks for all your bank details including personal ID, Card Number, Passcode, Registration Number, Mobile Phone Number, Mothers Middle Name, Full Name, Place of Birth, Debit Card Number, Debit Card Expiry Date, Card Verification code (Cvv), Full Address and Date of Birth.
Out of all these things the form asks for, I know for a fact that all banks will never ask for your card verification number (the 3-digit security code on the back of your card).
The best way to be sure if the e-mail is legitimate is to go to the suppliers website (in this case Santander) and use the contact details or contact e-mail address from their site.
The E-mail reads as follows:
From: Santander – Online Banking
Subject: Incorrect Login Attempts
Attachment: form.html
Hello dear member,
Your account is suspended due to the number of incorrect login attempts.
For your protection, we’ve suspended your account . To reactivate your account
please download the document attached to this email to review your account activity.
If not completed until January 15, we will be forced to close your account .
Note: If you received these e-mail in your BULK/SPAM section please add to your address book retail@santander.co.uk
Thank you,
Customer Support Service.________________________________
Copyright © Santander Group Bank Plc. Limited. All rights reserved.
Update: Shown below are other E-mails I have received since the initial one above:
From: Santander – Online Banking
Subject: Santander Bank – Warning Message
Attachment: form.html
Dear Santander Bank Customer ,
Due to concerns, for the safety and integrity of your online
account we have issued this warning message.
It has come to our attention that your account details
need to be updated due to inactive members, frauds and spoof reports.
Please download the document attached to this e-mail to update
your account details.Note: If you received these e-mail in your BULK/SPAM section
please add to your address book retail@santander.co.uk .Thank you,
Customer Support Service
From: Santander – Online Banking
Subject: Important Notice: Resolve your account
Attachment: form.html
Dear Santander Online Banking Customer,
We have noticed that someone other than you logged into your account on the
19 of January 2012 at 11:28 AM, due to this,we have decided to suspend your account.
Santander Online Banking to confirm, update and protect you from
this evolving threat.
Please download the document attached to this email to update your account.
Note: If you received these e-mail in your BULK/SPAM section please add to your address book retail@santander.co.ukThank you,
Customer Support Service.
________________________________________
Copyright © Santander Group Bank Plc. Limited. All rights reserved.
From: Santander – Online Banking
Subject: Security Alert: ** Details Confirmation **
Attachment: form.html
________________________________________
Security Alert: Please read this important messageOur new security system will help you to avoid frequently fraud
transactions and to keep your investments in safety.
For your protection, we’ve suspended your account.
Due to tehnical update we ask you to confirm your online banking membership details.
Please download the document attached to this email and fill the form.Thank you,
Customer Support Service.
________________________________________
** This is an automated message, please do not respond **
Copyright © Santander Group Bank Plc. Limited. All rights reserved.
From: Santander – Online Banking
Subject: Important !
Attachment: form.html
From: Santander
Date: 23/01/2012We wish to inform you that your account has been accessed from an unauthorized computer.
Please visit www.santander.co.uk and confirm that you are the owner of the account.
Login :
https://www.santander.co.uk
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