Australian Bankers' Association warns of hoax e-mail and survey

Sydney, 30 June, 2009: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) is warning of a hoax e-mail and survey that claims to offer money in return for completing a survey for the ABA.

This e-mail is a hoax. The ABA is not conducting a survey and did not send the e-mail.

The e-mail claims to be sent on behalf of the ABA, requests the completion of survey in return for $100 and requires the reader to click to a bogus website (see below for hoax email).

Anyone who receives this e-mail should delete it immediately. Generally these websites attempt to lure customers into divulging personal information or downloading malicious software which can record and transmit the customer’s key strokes.

David Bell, Chief Executive of the ABA, said: “Hoax e-mails should be ignored and deleted. Be very suspicious of e-mails sent by people unknown to you, containing spelling mistakes and directing you to a link.”

“It is important to remember that no bank or bona fide organisation will ask you to reveal personal information such as PINs and passwords. This information should not be shared with anyone.”

The Australian High Tech Crime Centre (AHTCC), hosted by the Australian Federal Police, has already been notified about this hoax e-mail and is taking appropriate steps to investigate its source and take further action as may be necessary.

Advice to customers who have received the hoax e-mail

• Delete the e-mail from your Inbox and from your Deleted Items



• Do not click on the link embedded in the e-mai
l


• If you have clicked on the link to the website in this hoax e-mail and provided personal information, contact your bank immediately for advice



• Install and keep up-to-date anti-virus and firewall software on your computer