I have recently received a convincing scam (well, for an innocent it would be convincing) Where a bank asks me to sign into my business account and do something important and time sensitive. The link takes you to a sign in page... you sign in ( no matter what ID/Pass Word combo you put in ) and the page will then jump you to the bank's legitimate index page. One obvious tip off is that any financial institution, including credit cards, don't link you directly to a sign in page (the other was I had no account at such bank).
Anyway... where does one go to warn/complain of such phishing scams? Is the re a central authority or do you just contact every institution that is being used as a front?
grim
Hi, All.
Unfortunately, Phishing and Malware are a multi-daily occurrence. Most have obvious flaws (like a link to a site with a couple extra phrases and ending in "ru!") so they don't fool for a moment. But occasionally there's one that looks almost perfect, and might trap even the wary on a bad day. This is one of them -- I suspected it from the get-go, but my McAfee Internet Security Suite (which I'm liking a lot more now that I've got a dual-core two GB system, so its memory hogging isn't an issue) tagged it as a "likely phishing site," and in fact the site had apparently been taken down after complaints from someone. But be warned -- at least some of these crooks are getting better at it!
Here's the offending message:
From: "VISA" <security@visa.com>
Subject: Protect Your Credit Card - Activate Now for Verified by Visa
Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2007 20:32:53 -0700
Visa?s multiple layers of security provide cardholders with an extraordinary level of protection so they can feel confident no matter how they use their Visa card. Verified by Visa plays an important role in this strategy in the following ways:
* Improving the security of online payment transactions
* Increasing both cardholder and merchant confidence in Internet purchases
* Reducing disputes and fraudulent activity related to Visa payment cards
Simply activate your existing card with the Verified by Visa service and create your personal password. The service is free to Visa cardholders. You?ll have the added assurance that your Visa card is safer when you shop at participating online stores.
Activate Now for Verified by Visa <<-- legitimate-looking active link to well-disguised phishing site
Avast, mateys -- thar be monsters out there!
-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
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