FDIC And FBI Investigating Fraudulent Emails
At approximately 12:00 p.m. (EST) on January 23, 2004, FDIC Consumer
Call Centers in Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington, D.C., began
receiving a large number of complaints by consumers who received an
email that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The email
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 email 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
email and should NOT under any circumstances provide any personal
information through this media.
The FDIC and the FBI are attempting to identify the source of the emails
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 alert(a)fdic.gov.
Media Contacts:
FDIC: David Barr, 202-898-6992
FBI: Paul Bresson, 202-324-3691