The Wells Fargo e-mail tells recipients that their Wells Fargo account information must be updated "as part of our continuing commitment to protect your account and reduce the instances of fraud on our website." The e-mail provides a link to a phony Web site which appears to be Wells Fargo and goes on to assure customers that once the information has been updated, their account will continue to operate as normal.
The Chase Bank e-mail tells recipients the bank will deactivate and delete CHASE online Payments and Transfer services unless they "renew" their account information. The e-mail also provides a link to a phony Web site.
"These are scams," Goddard said. "No financial institution will request personal identifying information by e-mail. I encourage consumers to report these e-mails to my office."
Goddard offers the following tips to consumers:
- Never provide your password or confidential financial information to a link obtained through an unsolicited e-mail. Often these links direct you to fake sites (but appearing highly realistic) designed to steal information.
- Be suspicious of any e-mail that requests personal financial information or directs you to a Web site that does.
- If you want to determine the e-mail's authenticity, call the company directly using its general information number.
- Check your bank, credit and debit card statements regularly to ensure that all transactions are legitimate. If you detect suspicious activity, contact your bank or card issuer immediately.
