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This is an example of a Scam Email I actually recieved that was
allegedly from a reputable company, Wells Fargo Online.
The scammer was trying to get me to send my confidential information via an allegedly secure (https) link. The irony is I do not have an account with Wells Fargo online. So then, this was a fishing expedition to see how many hits from innocent, gullible people they could get. Every hit with good personal data was another account they could rip off. |
| Here is how the mail was titled coming into my Inbox: |
| Sender | Subject | Date | Time
| Wells Fargo
| Confirm your online banking details
| 10/02/08
| 6:49 PM
|
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| Here is the Body Text (content) of the message: |
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"Dear Customer
We value your relationship with Wells Fargo Online to serve you better, we are installing the Best Banking software and would require you Update Your Online Banking Records. This is being done to secure your accounts and to protect your personal information from being compromised. We at Wells Fargo Online are committed in making sure that your online transactions are secure. Click on the link below to Update your Account Records tps://www.Online Banking Log-In/rdcLogin/?RXZlbnQzIERlYzA3 Once your information has been updated and confirmed your online service would continue as usual and would not be interrupted Sincerely, Wells Fargo Online Online Customer Service" |
| Notice the web address link.
There is a subtile flaw in it. It SHOULD START WITH HTTPS for a secure webpage like a Bank would use. It is disguised to fool the inexperienced person into thinking it is a good link and legit. |
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"http://www.golazzo.ro/shoutbox/an/index.htm" Notice that THIS address, which is where the link buried in the "official message" allegedly from Wells Fargo takes you is a bogus fraudulent link in ROMANIA! Yes, that's right, the .ro in the address above is ROMANIA. If you were to follow the link and give out your personal data you would be ripped off of whatever funds and/or open to buy (Debit overdraft protection)you have set up for your account. Just think, if you had $25,000.00 in the bank and an overdraft line of $5,000.00, if you followed the link in the message and gave them what they want, you would be scammed out of your cash and your overdraft protection (-$5000.00 in the hole now, a $30,000 loss) in a matter of MINUTES! DO NOT SEND SENSITIVE INFORMATION VIA EMAIL. DO NOT RESPOND TO EMAIL MESSAGES AND FOLLOW LINKS LIKE THIS. IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO VERIFY MESSAGES SUCH AS THIS WITH THE BANK, GET ONLINE TO THE OFFICIAL BANK WEBSITE, GET AN OFFICIAL CONTACT NUMBER. THEN CALL THE BANK DIRECTLY AND VERIFY WITH AN OFFICIAL OF THE BANK THEY (THE BANK) NEED AN UPDATE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I RECOMMEND YOU GO TO YOUR BANK OR CALL THEM DIRECT TO VERIFY REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION SUCH AS THIS. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER RESPOND TO MESSAGES SUCH AS THIS, FOLLOW LINKS IN MESSAGES SUCH AS THIS, OR CALL PHONE NUMBERS IN A MESSAGE SUCH AS THIS! NEVER CALL PHONE NUMBERS ON THE SCAM PAGE THE LINK IN THE MESSAGE SENDS YOU TO! GET A LEGIT, VALID DIRECT NUMBER FROM A PHONE BOOK, WHITE PAGES ONLINE, OR THE BANKS OFFICIAL WEBSITE! THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RULES SUCH AS THIS ARE 1) BEING RIPPED OFF AND 2) POSSIBLE IDENTITY THEFT! THERE IS TOO MUCH AT STAKE TO DO ANY LESS! |