Internet users warned about new online scam

A new scam aimed at Internet banking users has appeared over the weekend.

(PRWEB) April 6, 2004 --In a new twist on the phishing scam, crooks have now started sending messages "confirming" bogus bank transfers. A message claiming to come from bank confirms a transfer of several hundred dollars from an account. The aim is for people to log onto their dummy site to dispute the transaction and give out their banking details.

Phishing is the term given to a scam that appeared late last year. False emails claimed to come from banks, online auction sites and Internet payment sites asking users to change their account details. These emails contained links to websites set up by the conmen that would steal the victims bank details and passwords.

It appears the scammers have realised the old phishing scam has failed and are looking at new ways of fooling people to give out their bank account details" said Paul Wallbank, Managing Director of Sydneys PC Rescue.

As with all these messages, we recommend users ignore them. Under no circumstances should you try to respond to the scammers. You should treat any unsolicited message claiming to come from a bank, auction site or payment site with caution."

As these emails started appearing Saturday morning Australian time, its difficult to say if anybody has been caught by this trick. The main concern is people being panicked into thinking their accounts have been hacked. If people are concerned they should contact their bank rather than clicking the links on the email.