More than 100 banks have been closed by the FDIC this year, setting a record in the banking industry. But the closings have spawned a “phishing” scheme, aimed at obtaining your personal banking information and stealing your identity.
Phishers are sending attention-grabbing e-mails that look official; like they are from the financial institution that has now acquired your bank, savings and loan, or mortgage. The e-mail will request your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords or your mother’s maiden name, all in the name of “updating,” “validating,” or “confirming” your account information.
The message may read like this: “We recently purchased ABC Bank. Due to concerns for the safety and integrity of our new online banking customers, we have issued this warning message. Please follow the link below to renew your account information.”
The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning regarding this phishing scheme: don’t reply to the e-mail, pop-up message or even a phone call. Don’t click on the links in an e-mail, even if it looks like it came from your bank. And you shouldn’t cut and paste the address into your browser; it could direct you to a false Web site.
To take a proactive stance against identity theft, call LifeLock today. LifeLock provides broader identity coverage, greater control and early notification. In other words, if your sensitive information is compromised in any way, you’ll be notified immediately, so that you can take action and prevent damage.
But if you are victimized while you are a LifeLock customer, you will have access to LifeLock’s customer representatives 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They’ll help you recover quickly, and can even help replace the contents of your lost or stolen wallet.
Take control of your identity today – call LifeLock.
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