Warning: Fake bank e-mail

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27: The Bermuda Police Service Financial Crime Unit would like to warn the public about a fake e-mail claiming to be from Butterfield Bank which is currently circulating, encouraging recipients to click on a link to read a new security message. This link takes the user to a website purporting to be the Butterfield Direct log on for internet banking.

This site asks for the recipient’s user ID and password. When the information is given, the log in fails and it asks the user to sign in a second time, which also fails. The user is then re-directed to the actual Butterfield Bank website; but by that time their user ID and password has been compromised.

Members of the public are reminded to remain vigilant regarding phishing e-mails and other scams that attempt to obtain personal information or other sensitive data.

In addition, residents should be aware that banks or other legitimate financial institutions will never ask you for personal account information such as your password.

The public should ignore these unsolicited messages or similar ‘official looking e-mails’ claiming to be from any of the local banks.

Reporting of suspected scam e-mails encouraged

In response to a recent increase in internet scams, the Bermuda Police Service Financial Crime Unit has created a user friendly method for members of the public who wish to report suspected scam e-mails.

As of Monday 24th October 2011, internet fraud may be reported via the new e-mail address: [email protected].

This dedicated e-mail address has been created to allow residents to directly report such matters to police. This facility is intended to be used by victims of scams as well as residents who may simply wish to notify police of new scam trends.

Any suspect e-mails can be forwarded to the address with any pertinent questions or comments and a member of the Financial Crime Unit will respond as soon as practicable with relevant advice on the matter.

The resulting reported information will also be used to create a useful data bank of internet scams which can be analyzed so that appropriate preventive action can be taken.

Acting Detective Inspector Paul Ridley of the Financial Crime Unit states that, “the purpose of the dedicated e-mail address is to provide a credible and convenient response to members of the public in relation to electronic crime, namely suspected internet scams.”

If you’ve received a suspected scam e-mail or an actual scam e-mail:

• Do not click on any links in the e-mail.
• Do not reply to the e-mail or contact the senders in any way.
• If you have clicked on a link in the e-mail, do not supply any information on the website that may open.
• Do not open any attachments that arrive with the e-mail.

Chief Inspector Sean Field-Lament of the Drugs & Intelligence Division reiterates the internet crime prevention message that; “if the offer seems too good to be true…then it usually is a scam.”