Summary:
E-mails to financial institution customers that fraudulently
claim to be from the FDIC attempt to obtain highly sensitive personal
information, including bank account information. These e-mails falsely
indicate that FDIC deposit insurance is suspended until the requested customer
information is provided.
FDIC Consumer Call Centers in
Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington, D.C., have begun receiving a large
number of complaints by consumers who received an e-mail that has the
appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The e-mail informs the recipient that
Department of Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge has advised the FDIC to
suspend all deposit insurance on the recipient’s bank account due to suspected
violations of the USA PATRIOT Act. The email further indicates that deposit
insurance will be suspended until personal identity, including bank account
information, can be verified.
This e-mail was not sent by the
FDIC and is a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal information from
consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the link
provided within the body of the e-mail and should NOT under any circumstances
provide any personal information through this media.
The FDIC is attempting to
identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission. Until this is
achieved, consumers are asked to report any similar attempts to obtain this
information to the FDIC by sending information to
