Sept. 10, 2004

The FDIC is receiving complaints from consumers who received an email that has the appearance of being sent form the FDIC.  The fraudulent e-mail requests that recipients update account info due to inactive accounts, frauds and spoof reports, and that failure to do so will result in closure of the recipient's bank account.  The link contained within the email serves as a gateway to the fraud web site.  The fraudulent web site, which is designed to look like a page from the FDIC's authentic web site, asks respondents to provide sensitive information, such as bank or credit card account numbers, as well as personal identification and Social Security numbers.

This alert is intended to warn consumers that the fraudulent e-mail, which could also possibly contain a computer virus, was not sent by the FDIC  Financial institutions and consumers are being warned NOT to access the link or submit personal information.  Additionally, as a reminder to all consumers, the FDIC strongly recommends that individuals safeguards personal info and refrain from responding to any unsolicited requests for personal information.

For your reference FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's web site at www.fdic.gov .

Michael J. Zamorski
Director