Watch Out For This Big-Name Bank Scam

by Glenn Fisher

Watch out for this...

Got an email in from Shortcut reader, Paul, warning about an email scam that’s currently doing the rounds...

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Here’s Paul’s email...

"Hi Glenn,

"Thought I would alert you and fellow Shortcut Bulletin readers...

"I have been targeted recently by ‘HSBC bank’. I have received several emails reputed to be from HSBC, requiring an account update asking me to validate my online banking account.

"The threat in the email says the following; "This email has being sent to all HSBC bank customers, and it is compulsory to follow as failure to verify account details will lead to account suspension."

"The email is very good and plausible. I have been to my local HSBC bank and taken them copy. They have stated this is a SCAM and no reply should be made. They inform me that currently ALL the major banks are targeted.

"I don’t actually have a HSBC account, although other family members do.

"I am sure all your readers are very careful and won’t be conned, but it's best to be forewarned.

"Thanks for Shortcut Bulletin.

"Regards, Paul"

I’ve not received this one myself so far, but in the past I’ve seen a lot of bank mock-up emails.

To be honest, I’d advise you avoid all unexpected email communication from banks.

It’s just not worth the risk.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t use internet banking at all.

It’s just that most banks - including HSBC - do not send genuine messages to your regular inbox (your Yahoo email, for example).

Instead they communicate electronically through the message box within the secure log on section of your account i.e. you can only access genuine messages from your bank when you log in.

Whenever you’re contacted by your bank by email outside of your secure account, it’s best to contact the bank by phone or visit in person to confirm it is a genuine email.

And should the bank ever contact you unexpectedly by phone, to make sure you’re definitely protected always ask them a security question to verify they are genuine.

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Thanks to Paul for getting in touch with this one.

If you ever come across a scam - whatever its nature - and you think other Shortcut readers should be aware of it, you can always email me at shortcutbulletin@agorapub.co.uk  

It’s worth remembering as well, we’re always on the lookout to expose scams too...

Exposing scams left right and centre

Every month in our newsletter: Shortcut Confidential, our scam busting expert Ben Catt exposes a different dodgy deal.

In the past few months he’s investigated...

- The rising surge in video marketing and exposed those who are using it to rip people off;

- The underhand marketers who are using ‘forced continuity’ to lure you into paying more than you realise for an opportunity;

- The world of outsourcing work to freelancers, exposing underhand dealings and revealing the how to get the most out of outsourcing;

- Website domains and why ‘domain appraisals’ are worthless and how to protect your website from domain demons who essentially sell you someone else’s website...

Sadly, there are a lot of people out there in the world - and specifically in the world of business opportunities and second income strategies - that are out to rip people off.

That’s why I think it’s so important to have someone like Ben who’s on hand to investigate these cynical money-grabbers and expose them.

For today though, be sure to steer clear of any dodgy emails from scammers pretending to be your bank and remember...

If you are contacted unexpectedly by your bank always request that they verify their own identity in some way before you discuss any personal financial details with them.

And if you want to catch Ben’s scam-busting article each month in Shortcut Confidential, you can subscribe here.