The FDIC Would Like You To Know That They're Not Emailing You
An email claiming to be from the FDIC is making the rounds on the internet. It supposedly contains a "personal FDIC insurance file" that is really some sort of badness that will ruin your day. Do not click.
The FDIC says:
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.
If your bank really does fail, the FDIC doesn't email you. In fact, they try to keep you out of it as much as possible.
For a look at how the FDIC deals with failed banks, check out this 60 Minutes story.
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Comments:
Actually, the FDIC will email you if a bank fails, but IF AND ONLY IF you sign up for their bank failure press releases: [www.fdic.gov] and click "Subscribe".
The Fed Directly Insuring China also wants you to know that you won the Toyota Sweepstakes in the amount of
£500,000 and a new Toyota. To collect, simply supply all of your personal information and kiss your retirement goodbye.
@Xerloq, we are all made of stars.:
Foiled again.
You beat me to the overseas sweepstakes punch by a few minutes.
I'm going to start sending e-mail to the FDIC. See how they like it.
I am getting between 3-6 of these per day, started over the weekend.
My bank is too big to fail. Hence the government kept them going with billions in TARP funds.
Is there a consumer who REALLY thinks the FDIC would e-mail you if your bank failed? Please tell me no.
@PLATTWORX: I think thousands of consumers would believe it. Lots of people are uninformed, impulsive, and/or stupid.
@PLATTWORX: There are warnings on paint that say "do not consume".
Do not underestimate the power of stupidity.
@PLATTWORX:
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." -- Albert Einstein
What else is the FDIC doing to stop these emails? Are they just telling consumers to protect themselves, or are they going after the criminals who are using the FDIC's identity? This is my complaint about how phishing scams are handled by the government and banks who have had their identities stolen and used for online criminal activity. They warn innocent consumers to protect themselves, but they don't appear to do much in the way of preventing their own identities from being stolen and used for criminal purposes, or tracking down the criminals who do it.
There are more fake FBI emails going around too. The real FBI will send you emails ONLY if you are on their email list for press releases and other updates. If they need to talk to you, they will come and find your ass.
The FDIC is emailing you to let you know that you can claim the full insurance amount (UP TO $2500,000! USD!) for a small processign fee of USD$ 1,000. WE DO NOT VERIFY MONEYS IN ACCOUNT, but pay to you all $250,000 USD! as insured by FDIC.
PLEASE! hurry and sending payment through website to ensure your $250,000 USD!!! isn't given to someone else.
PLEASE HURRY!
Sincerest Kind Regards, Truly,
Prince Banni Bomba, FDIC, Nigeria
$250,000 USD!