Fraudulent E-Mails Claiming to be from the FDIC

 The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has become aware of e-mails appearing to be sent from the FDIC that are asking recipients to download and open a "personal FDIC insurance file" to check their deposit insurance coverage. These e-mails are fraudulent and were not sent by the FDIC. The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission.

Currently, the subject line of the fraudulent e-mails includes the wording "check your Bank Deposit Insurance Coverage." The e-mails state: "You have received this message because you are a holder of a FDIC-insured bank account. Recently FDIC has officially named the bank you have opened your account with as a failed bank, thus, taking control of its assets."

The e-mails ask recipients to "visit the official FDIC website" by clicking on a hyperlink provided, which appears to be related to the FDIC and directs recipients to a fraudulent Web site. The Web site includes hyperlinks that appear to open forms. However, it is believed that clicking on the hyperlinks will cause an unknown executable file to be downloaded. While the FDIC is working with the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) to determine the exact effects of the executable file, recipients should consider the intent of the software as a malicious attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to online banking services or to conduct identity theft. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the Web site or download the executable files provided on the Web site.

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-3054, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

 Beware of Various Frauds Tied to the Economic Slowdown

In addition to mortgage rescue scams (see Foreclosure Rescue and Loan Modification Scammers), consumers should beware of a variety of other frauds tied to current economic difficulties.

Scams tied to the Obama Administration's economic stimulus package.

The Federal Trade Commission has warned about fraudulent Web sites and e-mails asking consumers for bank account, credit card and other personal information, supposedly for help getting money from the stimulus fund or for direct deposits of government payments. Instead, these scammers are collecting information to make unauthorized charges to credit cards or to withdraw money from bank accounts. For more information, go to www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/stimulusscam.shtm.

Bogus "help" with credit and debt problems.

In some cases, con artists "guarantee" loan approvals to people with credit problems, then they disappear after collecting a nonrefundable fee and without delivering any services. Others involve companies that advertise credit counseling or promise to settle debts for less than is owed. They charge high fees and provide little or no assistance.

Con artists preying on people who need jobs.

One common example involves attractive offers to work part-time from home but the end result is that the new "employer" commits identity theft or check fraud. Another involves "mystery shopper" programs for which consumers are supposedly hired to report on their experience doing business at a retailer but instead lose money in a fake check scam.

You can protect yourself from these and other financial scams by being extremely skeptical of unsolicited offers that involve "updating" or "confirming" personal information or requirements that you send a payment or provide bank account information before receiving anything in return.

Also, walk away from any offer from a stranger that would involve a large check to be deposited into your account and instructions to wire any of that money back, perhaps to someone in another country. In this type of scam, victims may end up owing thousands of dollars to the financial institution that wired the money.

For more information, see our tips in the Winter 2008/2009 FDIC Consumer News at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnwin0809/scams.html.

Reprinted with permission from FDIC Consumer News