Bank of America and Bank of America credit card customers - yet another email fraud attempt. Don't be an identity theft victim!
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive January 2004:
Bank of America and Bank of America credit card customers - yet another email fraud attempt. Don't be an identity theft victim!
I got an email purporting to be from Bank of America, telling me they needed to update my personal information and instructing me to use the link in the email to do so. Being the compulsive creature that I am, I found an email contact link on the Bank of America site (not, of course, through the email link) and copied the email to them. To my pleasant surprise,I received a very courteous response from Bank of America, thanking me for letting them know and telling me they are working with the Secret Service to attempt to track the perpetrator of this fraud.
REMINDER: Financial companies and companies using your financial information almost never contact you by email asking for personal information.
If you get such an email, from Bank of America, Paypal, eBay, Pro-flowers, or whomever, never NEVER NEVER use the link in the email.
If you really think the site named in the email may want updated information go to the company's website through your bookmarks, google, or whatever and contact them to ask if they do need information - or call the company's 800 number. The 800 number will be listed in the website or you can usually get it though the 800 information service, 800-555-1212.
The links in such fraudulent emails will take you to a site which may look legitimate, may look like the company's usual website, but almost always it is a fraud intended to get your personal information - SS number, credit card number, etc. - for the purpose of identity theft and misuse of your information. It is very important to be extremely cautious about such things. Identity theft can, at the very least, cost you a great deal of time and some money to clear your credit record and at worst can result in your being deemed responsible for thousands of dollars in purchases and loans fraudulently charged to you.
And, of course, check your credit card bills very carefully EVERY MONTH - especially in the post holiday season/gift-buying months.
(BTW, this is the first time I've used formatting in a post for size and color - what fun!)
Ginny- Thank you for passing along very valuable information, and protecting us all, as usual. You are so KNOWLEDGABLE about these issues.
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