The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received complaints from consumers who received an e-mail that appears to have been sent by the FDIC. The fraudulent e-mail indicates that the FDIC has collaborated with credit card providers to provide a new service for those who wish to secure their credit cards against fraud and to be part of a secure online transaction network. The e-mail claims that, by accessing the embedded link, the recipient can get a free trial membership that provides coupons for discounts at some of the more popular online retail outlets.

The e-mail was not sent by the FDIC and may be a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal information from consumers or to implant a computer virus onto the recipient's computer. Financial institutions and consumers should not access the link or attached files provided in the body of the e-mail and should not, under any circumstances, provide any personal information to unknown sources.

Consumers can contact the FDIC toll free at 877-275-3342, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., ET. The FDIC's Web site is www.fdic.gov.

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Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's 9,182 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing the risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars - insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web at www.fdic.gov and can also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or (703) 562-2200).