The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has been notified that individuals have received e-mails and correspondence that appear to the reader to be from the FDIC-OIG. The fraudulent e-mails and correspondence request that the recipients apply for the issuance of clearance documents and insurance coverage to facilitate the release of funds. The fraudulent e-mails and correspondence are designed to look like a page from the FDIC-OIG's authentic Web page.

The use of this type of e-mail scam, seeking to obtain sensitive information from individuals, is referred to as "phishing." The FDIC provides information on its Web site that explains more about phishing and other types of fraudulent activity targeting consumers at http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/alerts/index.html. The information on this site also provides consumers with tips on protecting personal information from these types of scams.

This alert is intended to warn consumers that the fraudulent e-mail and correspondence was not sent by the FDIC-OIG. Individuals are warned NOT to respond to the fraudulent e-mails or submit personal information as advised by the e-mail. Additionally, as a reminder to all consumers, the FDIC strongly recommends that individuals safeguard personal information and refrain from responding to any unsolicited request for personal information.

Examples of the fraudulent e-mails and correspondence are provided below:

Example 1         Example 2

If you have received an e-mail or correspondence similar to the ones shown above, please contact the FDIC-OIG Hotline at ighotline@fdic.gov

Patricia M. Black
Deputy Inspector General
Office of Inspector General