Friday 30 January 2009

Account Locked!

Confused - you will be.  "Dear Abbey Customers Upgrade" - er, what's that supposed to mean?

Who cares, it's all rubbish.  Don't click on any links in a bank email, even if it is your bank.  Delete the email and don't reply.  If you want to go to your bank's website, enter the address directly into your browser.

Dear Abbey Customers Upgrade

Due to concerns, for the safety and integrity of the Abbey
account we have issued this warning message.

It has come to our attention that your Abbey account information needs to be
updated as part of our continuing commitment to protect your account in this year 2007 and to
reduce the instance of fraud on our website. If you could please take 5-10 minutes
out of your online experience and update your personal records you will not run into
any future problems with the online service.

Once you have updated your account records your Abbey account
service will not be interrupted and will continue as normal.

To update your Abbey records click on the following link:
https://myonlineaccounts2.abbeynational.co.uk/CentralLogonWeb/Logon?action=prepare

http://www.aboutabbey.com/

Thank You.

Accounts Management As outlined in our User Agreement, Abbey will
periodically send you information about site changes and enhancements.

Visit our Privacy Policy and User   

Alliance & Leicester Business Banking On-line Important Information Id: 359

It's been a while since a scammer used the old chestnut of a "scheduled" software upgrade.  This is another scammer who tells you to delete the email if you are not a client of the A&L.  My advise?  Delete the email even if you are a client of the A&L. 

Never click on a link in a bank email.  Always enter the address of your bank directly into your browser.

Dear Alliance & Leicester Commercial client!


Our Maintenance Department is carrying out a scheduled Online software upgrade.
By following the link below you will open the form of the client login details update:
 
    http://ww6.mybusinessbank.co.uk/cs70_banking/logon/sconfirm?query=30oszdrlytnsczrzraDnzekcyzOkhOvp
 
These directives are to be e-mailed and followed by all Alliance & Leicester Commercial clients.
We apologize for the any troubles caused, and is very thankful for your help.
If you are not client of the Alliance & Leicester Business please delete this e-mail!
--- This is robot generated e-mail please do not reply ---

Thursday 29 January 2009

Please Respond

Poor Lady Dianne - if you've been following this blog, you'll realise she is a victim of those heartless doctors who tell wealthy widows that they have a "cancerous condition" and "limited days to live".  Lady Dianne doesn't seem too keen on her late hubbies relatives does she?  They're "bourgeois", so she'd rather give her money to me.

Let me think - do I believe her?   Errrrrrr , mmmmm, aaaaah .....  No, I don't.

Neither should you.  She's a scammer.  She wants to get her hands on your money, not give you money.  Delete the email and don't reply

52 Robson Street,
Manchester M41 7TE,
England.

Here writes Lady Dianne Gregson, suffering from cancerous ailment. I was
married to Sir Richard Gregson, an Englishman who is dead. When my late
husband was alive he deposited securities of his stocks worth
£3,000,000.00 GBP (Three Million Great British Pounds Sterling), which
were derived from his investment in the capital market with his bank here
in the UK.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the
cancerous problem I am suffering from. I have decided to donate this money
to you and want you to use this gift which comes from my husband's effort
to fund the upkeep of orphans,destitute, the down-trodden, physically
challenged children and persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped
financially.

I took this decision because we do not have any child and my husband
relatives are bourgeois and they are very wealthy individuals. I do not
want my husband's hard earned money to be misused or invested into ill
perceived ventures hence the reason for taking this bold decision.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank
in UK where values of the stocks are deposited. I will also issue you a
Letter of Authority that will empower you as the original beneficiary of
this fund, but I need you to assure me that you will act just as I have
stated  herein.

You can contact me via email:ladyg.dianne@gmail.com

Hope to hear from you soon.

Lady Dianne Gregson

Wednesday 28 January 2009

NICE TO MEET YOU!

A reader submitted this - from the US.  I can't think of a witty comment.  What a relief, I hear you cry.  So I'll just say - it's a scam.  There is no money.  Delete it and don't reply.

Dear Friend,
 
I am Mr. Tara Herman, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of Mr. Kerr who died in an auto accident with his entire family before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank so that the proceeds of this account valued at 9 Million Pounds(£9,000,000)can be paid to you for I could not contact any of his relatives and because we found your contact details in his portfolio during investigation. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. You will get 40% of the total sum, Best regards and get back to me using my private Tel: +44 704 574 0951
 
Yours faithfully.
Mr. Tara Herman

Charity Foundation Award!!! $1,000,000

For some unknown reason, the UK Charity Foundation has, apparently, decided to give away $1m to a random person.  There is no such thing as the UK Charity Foundation, and if there was they would be giving money to registered, reputable UK charities, not to you or me or any mug with an email address.

The scammer just wants to get his/her hands on your money by charging you advance fees. Delete the email and don't reply.

If you are sinking under a sea of spam should try Master Your Inbox. A good solution for home or small and medium business owners. A complete management system that allows you to master all the features of Outlook, OE or Windows Mail and take control of your inbox. 

UK CHARITY FOUNDATION AWARD PROMOTION
 
Suite 154, Clarendon Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD61JF, London United Kingdom.
 
Dear Winner,
 
We happily announce to you that you have won our International Charity Award of US$1,000,000 (One Million US Dollars) during the 2009 Global Internet Summit titled "Discovering Greatness", held in the London, United Kingdom. All 30 winning Addresses were randomly selected from a batch of 50,000,000 international Emails. Your Email address emerged alongside 29 others as a category 2 winner in this year's Annual UK CHARITY FOUNDATION PROMOTION LOTTERY draw. No tickets were sold.
 
Consequently, you have therefore been approved for a total pay out of US$1,000,000 only. The following particulars are attached to your lotto payment order:
 
(i) Winning Serial Number: 900-102-447
 
(ii) Email Ticket Number: UK754/22/76
 
(iii)Lotto Code Number: TL09622UK
 
(iv)File Ref Number: ICA/11-GIS/2009UK
 
Please contact the under listed claims Agent as soon as possible for the immediate release of your winnings:
 
Claims Agent:
 
Mr. James Philips
 
Email: cfapromo.jamesphilips@gmail.com
 
 N.B: Steps to claiming your prize;
 
1. Contact your claims Agent immediately you receive this notification to begin the claims process.
 
2. You are required to send your full name(s) as it should appear on the Certificate of Winning that would be issued to you, and fill the below Non-Private Information when contacting the Agent.
 
 
1. FULL NAME(S): _______________________________
 
2. ADDRESS: _______________________________
 
3. SEX: ________________________________________
 
4. AGE: _______________________________________
 
5. OCCUPATION: _______________________________
 
6. COMPANY: _____________
 
7. POSITION HELD: ____________
 
8. WINNING E-MAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________
 
9. TELEPHONE NUMBER: ________________________
 
File Ref Number: ________________________
 
3. Also quote your File reference Number as given above while contacting the Agent. This is very important and compulsory on first correspondence with your claims Agent.
 
On behalf of the entire UK CHARITY FOUNDATION stakeholders, I say congratulations!!!
 
Sincerely,
 
Linda Robinson.
 
Promotion Manager.
 

Monday 26 January 2009

A Bunch of Banks

There are so many fake bank emails that it's a wonder that anyone ever clicks on a link.  Someone must though, to make it worth the scammers' while sending them.  Don't be that victim.  Delete all bank emails and never click on any links.

Dear Lloyds TSB user,

You have 1 new ALERT message
Please login to your Lloyds TSB Banking
and visit the Message Center section in order to read the message.

To Login, please click the link below:

Go Lloyds TSB Banking Online


Dear Member,

Abbey National PLC. have change the online system security in the last 2 days and your savings was deactivated for security reasons.
We suggest to check your balance as soon possible, in case, if your savings have been affected please contact us:
  • Telephone: 08459 724 724
    7am-11pm Mon-Sat,
    9am-9pm Sun .
Click ENTER to your balance:
  • ENTER
    Thank you,
    Abbey National PLC.
    e-banking service
    26 jan 2009

  • Attn: Your name here

    Another reader has joined the war on scammers.  Here is her first offering.  She's the "beneficiary" of 250k Euros.  Not.  It's all a scam of course.  There is no money, and the scammers just want my reader (or you, or anyone else who received the email) to send them money for fees.

    Just delete the email and don't reply.  You haven't won anything.

    TRANSFER   DEPARTMENT

      

     HEAD OFFICE.                                                                                             SUB - HEAD QUARTERS.

    CALLE SAN ELIAS                                                                                        VIA MONTE ROSA 29,     

    NO 40 BLOCK 8,                                                                                              28100, NOVARA ITALY.

    29480 MADRID SPAIN.

    TEL: +34-911-013-057/634-124-298

    FAX:+34-911-013-058/646-273-840                           

    ATTN: Mrs. Blog Reader's Name                                         

    REF: EUXX/74-Npl0109872009.

    Serial No.: MUOTI/82536

    FILE: JP-S3-LG-9B.                                                

     

    NOTIFICATION:

    This is to notify you, that  after  careful  verification, you  are  the  true  beneficiary, to the REFERENCE Nº: EUXX/74-Npl0109872009, FILE Nº: JP-S3-LG-9B. Which was credited the total sum of Two Hundred And Fifty Thousand Euros Only. (250,000.00 Euros)  

     

    As your authorized agent, we have filed an application on your behalf, for the release of your total winning funds of Two Hundred And Fifty Thousand Euros Only (250,000.00 Euros)  to the bank here in Spain, BANCO BBVA  MADRID for the commencement of the transfer of your claims.

    HERE IS DETAILS OF OUR PAYING BANK BELOW FOR YOU TO CONTACT :

     

    BANK NAME: BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA [BBVA BANK]

    HEAD OF OPERATIONS:  DON. FRANCO PEREZ

    DIRECT PHONE:  +34-634-132-997  FAX: +34-911-988-565

          

    We have also got your total funds, insured in your name with your personal identification data you forwarded to our office, on a weekly-extended insurance premium program. Under this insurance bond policy, no one or any co-operate organization can lay  any claims to your funds, except you  Mrs. Sally Mohmed Ahmed EL Shaer or your next of KIN, in case  of  any  unforeseen  circumstance.

     

    As your agent and sole representative in Spain, we advice you keep this notification personal, to avoid impersonation, as there have been cases like that recently.  Be in close contact with us for any enquiries, as we expect your mail soonest.  Once again congratulations!!!

     

    Sincerely,

     

    Dr. Simon Perez.

    Foreign Operation Manager .

    Claims Agencia.

    For Nokia Promotions Spain.


    Atm Card Award Promo 2009.


    The grandly named Barr Williams Smart Jnr tells me I have ben awarded a grant of $654k.  He omits to say why.  Perhaps his imagination failed him.

    It's fantasy land, of course.  He has no intention of giving me money, and every intention of taking money from me in the form of advance fees.

    Ignore him.  Delete the email and don't reply.

    Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB
    You’re Ref.

    Atm Card Award Promo 2009.

    A cash grant award of $654,000.00 from Atm Card Award Promo
    has been awarded
    to you.

    Contact us with your details

    Name
    Occupation:
    Address:
    Sex:
    Age:
    Phone number:
    Country:

    Barr. Williams Smart Jnr.
    Email:
    barr.williamssmart1@8u8.com

    Sincerely,
    Atm Card Award Team.

    Sunday 25 January 2009

    Alliance & Leicester New Year Update

    Oh look - the Alliance & Leicester have merged with Santander and need me to register my account.  Doesn't seem to matter that I'm not a customer!

    If you've been following this blog you will know that you should NEVER click on a link in a bank email, even if you are a customer.  

    This is a phishing email.  The A&L don't need your account information - but the scammers would like you to enter all your account info.  Look at this screenshot - this is what they ask for:
    Everything the scammer needs to know to empty your account. 

    Note:  I use an uptodate browser with a built in phishing filter, which tried to stop me accessing this page.

    Dear Customer,

    On Thursday, 22nd January, we formally completed the acquisition of Alliance & Leicester. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Santander Group.

    You are now part of one of the world's most successful banks. Santander is first bank in the Eurozone by market capitalization, and fifth in the world by profits, with over 70 million customers in 40 countries.

    You are kindly advised to follow the instructions below to register your account to allow easy merger.


    Please Click Here To Start


    The addition of Alliance & Leicester will further strengthen our UK presence. A&L has strengths in areas where Abbey intended to grow and both banks have built reputations as challengers to the big banks with attractive offers such as high-interest current accounts, strong savings rates and good mortgage and credit card deals.

    By becoming part of the Santander Group, Alliance & Leicester has acquired strong backing, which is crucial in these difficult financial times.

    I am convinced that Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley, as part of the Santander Group, will be a leading UK bank focused on giving you great service and value-for-money products.

    Yours sincerely,

    Attention! Your PayPal account has been limited!

    Another fake PayPal email. How do I know it's a fake?
    1) This is the email address it was sent from: New@matimes11.com
    This isn't the email address of PayPal
    2) If I point my mouse at the "click here" link (DON'T click) - this is what I see at the bottom left of my screen: http://217.128.96.163/us/www.paypal.com/webscrcmd=_login-/submit&cmd&dir=5885d80a13/ This is not the web address of PayPal
    3) The email doesn't use my registered Paypal information.

    Note: to give the email a false air of reality, the scammers have included PayPal's own advise about entering the web address directly into your browser!

    NEVER click on a link in a PayPal email - even if you think it might be genuine. ALWAYS enter the address of the PayPal website directly into your browser. If there is a problem with your account you will find information once you have logged into your genuine account.

    Information Regarding Your account:
    Dear PayPal Member:

    Attention! Your PayPal account has been limited!

    As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in the PayPal system.We recently contacted you after noticing an issue on your account.We requested information from you for the following reason:

    Our system detected unusual charges to a credit card linked to your PayPal account.

    Reference Number: PP-259-187-991

    This is the Last reminder to log in to PayPal as soon as possible. Once you log in, you will be provided with steps to restore your account access.

    Once you log in, you will be provided with steps to restore your account access. We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure account safety.

    Click here to activate your account

    We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please understand that this is a security measure intended to help protect you and your account. We apologise for any inconvenience..

    Sincerely,
    PayPal Account Review Department

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Copyright 1999-2008 PayPal. All rights reserved. PayPal Ltd. PayPal FSA Register Number: 226056.

    PayPal Email ID PP059
    Protect Your Account Info
    Make sure you never provide your password to fraudulent websites.

    To safely and securely access the PayPal website or your account, open a new web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Netscape) and type in the PayPal login page (http://paypal.com/) to be sure you are on the real PayPal site.

    For more information on protecting yourself from fraud, please review our Security Tips at https://www.paypal.com/us/securitytips

    Protect Your Password
    You should never give your PayPal password to anyone.

    Saturday 24 January 2009

    Online Banking Notice

    The nice phishers who want to access my HSBC account are concerned that the HSBC has been "receiving complaints" about unauthorised use.  Their solution?  Send me a phishing email, of course, so they too can make unauthorised use of my account.  Not likely sunshine.

    Just delete the email.  NEVER click on a link in a bank email.  If you want to know more about bank phishing emails, join the mailing list (on the right) and download our handout.

    And if you’re sick of all this spam, install Spam Bully. Highly effective spam filter with built in features to help you track the origin of scam emails and get your own back on the scammers.


    Dear Customer

    Hsbc have been receiving complaints from our Customers
    about unauthorised use of their Online Bank Accounts.
    As a result we periodically review certain Customers' Accounts and temporarily restrict access
    to those which we think are vulnerable to unauthorised use.

    This message has been sent to you from Hsbc because
    we have noticed some invalid login attempts into your account.
    Due to this we are temporarily limiting and restricting
    your account access until we confirm your identity.

    To confirm your identity and avoid limitations to your Online Banking Access,
    Please click on the button below

    http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/themes/html/hsbc_ukpersonal/images/nav_logon.gif

    http://www.hsbc.co.uk/

    Thank You.

    Legal Advisor
    Hsbc.

    Accounts Management as outlined in our User Agreement, Hsbc will 

    periodically send you informations about site changes and enhancements.