Tags: | scam emails | phishing |
2007-09-28 14:29
One of the More Clever Phishing Scam Emails I've Seen
I get a boat load of spam email every day, and unfortunately I still manually delete most of it (although I might switch to Thunderbird sometime soon). A good percentage of the spam I get consists of phishing attempts and scams, including nigerian scams and lottery scams. If the phishing attempt isn't one I've seen before, I usually spend a few minutes and find out who to forward the email to in order to report the scam, in hopes that the banks and other services that are being targetted by these criminals take proper precautions. I don't know if it actually helps, but I like to think that I am making a little bit of a difference. Today I received one of the most clever phishing scam emails I've seen it a long time - it is from "Administration of Citizen Bank" and the subject reads, "Protect your Citizen Bank online account". This is the email contents:
"Caution: we continue to be informed that customers and non-customers are receiving fraudulent phishing emails requesting confidential information and credentials. As a reminder, the bank will NOT send customers unsecured email or other correspondence requesting that they confirm or provide Customer ID's User ID's, card numbers, social security number or PINs and passwords. As always, if you receive any unsolicited e-mails, phone calls, faxes or other suspicious attempts to gain personal or confidential information, please e-mail us at fraudprevention@cfgcustomers.com or call Cash Management Client Services at 1-877-550-5933, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. For Additional information please see the events page For security measures, we need to confirm your challenge questions :
[URL removed to protect the naive]
Sincerely,
Citizens Bank Online Billing Services Team"
It's obvious to me that this is a scam email because I am not a customer at Citizens Bank, but I imagine it will successfully dupe more than a handfull of actual Citizens Bank customers, and the irony is, they will be thinking they are actually protecting their account from phishing scams! I am happy to report though, that when I visit the URL given at the end of the email, Firefox is kind enough to tell me that the page is "Suspected Web Forgery". The unfortunate souls are the ones using Internet Explorer who won't get this forewarning. So, what is the best scam email you've ever received? A really creative Nigerian scam, or a phishing scam that beats this one in creativity or irony? Tell me about it.
- Kevin
Kevin (at) Upcsite (dot) Net
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Comments:
The Million Dollar Wiki scam sounds like a pretty good one to me. :)
Posted by: Steve | 2007-09-28 23:39:18
I too got the citizen's bank email and thought it was pretty clever. Mine was a bit different than yours and I also sent it along to the fraud team at C.B. Now the phishers are warning people about phishing in their fraud emails...interesting.
Posted by: Charles | 2007-10-06 18:35:17
I just went there and typed in garbage responses, including references to "phishing scum". If enough people started doing that it would make the phishers' lives a misery.
Posted by: Andy | 2007-10-15 19:43:49
I really should not comment on your blog since I am unfortunately, a computer idiot. However, I have a TV for sale on facebook and today received an e-mail that was while obviously sent by a "phisher", was also most humorous...here it is if it fits...
Hi,
I am buying ur item on behalf of my client.just let me know the exact price for this item in your reply.my client will send you Cashier Check as a mode of payment. i agreed to pay the amount you want as your last final asking price.ALSO LET ME KNOW THE FINAL PRICE YOU ANT FOR THIS ITEM.and any additional fee for only handlin.The item is going to Cotonue in Benin and there will be know problem about the pick up to cotonue.i do have a shipping company that will handle the shipping and they will come and pick the item at your address without any lost of
item during the shipping. Here will go my client will include the shipping fees in the check payment.i don"t really know the exact amount that will be. bcos it will be issue by my client who is also owning me some money.so once you receive the check payment. You must deduct your item fees and western union the balance money for shipping arrangment the sameday you get the check.So all the address you need for the shipment and to western union the balance money will come with the payment. I want you to go and end the auction for me if you agree to sale the item for me once you get this message.to assure you that i am really interested in this item.i will add extra $10.00 in your payment if you end the auction for me asap today. and email me your address and the full name you want to appear on the check also ur mobile# asap today.note to reply me back in this email (cojofacedalot4@yahoo.com) Anyway Bellow are the questions i have for you.
1)Is the item in Perfect condition?
2)Is any western union location where you to send the balance money arround you around you?
3)Can you get the check cash at your bank the same day you receive the check payment and get everything done?
4)Can you make it posible to let the shipping company come for the pick up and complete the transaction the day you receive the
check?
5)Can you promise me that you will deduct your item fees and send back the remaining money once you have receive the check?
If yes too all my questions.kindly send me ur full name and address also ur mobile# asap today so that the check can be send asap to this
email -- (cojofacedalot4@yahoo.com) go and close the advite and email me to my yahoo id asap today.
Posted by: Kathy | 2007-11-12 16:54:15
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