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FDIC Consumer News Spring 2004 News Briefs Reminder: Beware of Fraudulent E-Mail Requests The FDIC continues to warn consumers about fake Web sites and e-mails that attempt to trick consumers into divulging valuable personal information, such as bank account and credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs). In the typical scam, which law enforcement officials call "phishing" schemes, consumers receive an e-mail purportedly from a company or financial institution they may do business with or from a government agency. The thieves ask for personal information that, if provided, can be used to make unauthorized withdrawals from your bank account, pay for online purchases using your credit card, or even sell your personal information to other thieves. Even the FDIC's name has been used fraudulently in these scams.
For more information about how to protect against these types of frauds, see "When Internet Scam Artists Go 'Phishing,' Don't Take the Bait," in the Winter 2003/2004 issue of
FDIC Consumer News, online at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnwin0304/phishing.html.
The brochure, "Putting Your Home on the Loan Line Is Risky Business," warns that borrowing from an unscrupulous lender, especially one that offers a high-cost loan using your home as collateral, could result in the loss of your home as well as your money. The brochure also provides tips for getting the best possible deal and includes information about federal consumer protection laws.
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Last Updated 06/01/2004 | communications@fdic.gov |
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