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Do not answer to emails asking you to update Bank Account data

PHISHING is on the rise in India. A large number of bank account holders continue to lose money due to phishing attacks. According to IBM-X Force Trend and Risk Report 2010, which is based on the study of global networks, India tops the list when it comes to origins of phishing emails and has a global share of 15.5 per cent.


Although, the number of phishing emails originating in India is high, phishing URLs are mostly hosted in other countries. Banks and financial institutions are the main targets of fraudsters.

There have been phishing attempts at top private and government banks. A large section of customers of these banks got emails asking them to update their account details. Several customers of these banks responded to the mails and lost money. If you lose your money due to phishing, banks are not liable to pay back your money.

If a fraud has occurred because a customer compromised his password and personal details, a bank will not bear the loss of the customer. It is the job of the customer to protect his bank details.

How can you recognise a phishing mail? You would see a message in your inbox from your bank with which you have an internet-enabled account asking you to update your account with your personal information, passwords, usernames /login ID, ATM PINS and credit card details on the pretext of upgradation of server of the bank. You will be asked to click on a link. By clicking, you would be linked to a website that is identical to your bank. If you are smart enough, you would realise that this is a trap to get your vital information to make fraudulent transactions.

A few months ago, fraudsters in garb as officials of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) send emails to people asking them for their account details. The fraud came to light after people reported that they have received an email from the address update @rbi.org.in, which was suspicious.

The Cyber Emergency Response Team of India blocked the fake RBI website, while the RBI on its website alerted people not to fall prey to the phishing scam and alert the police and their bank if they have shared their bank details.


Simple steps to avoid falling prey to these scams: Most phishing emails come with a warning that if you don't give your personal information, your account will be deactivated. Always be suspicious of mails that ask for your personal information.

Do not click on the link provided in the email. If you closely observe, the link would be a fake URL with a fake email address for instance ICICI.bank@gmail.com, which is not the correct address of ICICI Bank, or sbicustomerservice @hotmail.com.

Do not give any confidential information such as password, customer identification number, credit/debit card number, personal identification number, date of birth to any email request, even if the request is from government authorities like the income tax department or any card association company such as Visa or MasterCard.

Do not open unexpected email attachments or instant message download links.

Always check the web address carefully before sharing any information.

For logging in, always type the website address of the bank on your web browser.

Ensure that you have installed the latest anti-virus or anti-spyware or personal firewall or security patches on your computer or high end mobile phones.

Do not access net banking or make payments using your credit/debit card from shared or unprotected computers in public places.

Do not call and leave any personal or account details on any telephone system, voice message, email or an SMS.

Do not transfer funds to or share your account details with unknown people.

If you smell something fishy, call the bank and the police.
 

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