Website theft

[Hugh Spencer]

A word of warning! Today I received an e-mail stating that my phone and broadband account was not working correctly so would I fill in confirmation details, including my bank details. I found difficulties in completing the form, then I noticed that the request was from Brazil, brumadinho.net, so I phoned my supplier who advised me to delete the e-mail as my account was ok. BEWARE.

[ummmm]

Thanks for the warning Hugh...but I would never have been so daft.

[VHG]

So you happily filled in your bank details on an email you got "out of the blue".

As has already been indicated, I am surprised you even thought about doing this, with all the scam emails and other nasties going around.

You need to be VERY VERY suspicious of ANY email or phone call which asks you to fill in userid and password details, or give your credit card or other financial details.

In future I suggest you NEVER action any email or phone call of this type.

You have learned a good lesson.

[mungbeanz]

Did you not notice the email was from Brazil before you started inputting your details? And surely if you're able to receive emails, your account is OK.

I thought that only a total moron could get tricked by this kind of thing, but it appears even Answerbankers can succumb to the dangers of the internet. Look out! Common sense people!

[snags]

''I thought that only a total moron could get tricked by this kind of thing''

A little harsh but I agree with your sentiment...

[AlBags]

More fool you for even considering opening the email : )
Don't you read papers?

[LoftyLottie]

Please be more gentle with Hugh Spencer. You don't know him or his circumstances.

Some people have not got experience of the internet, perhaps an older person who hasn't had an email account before.

By all means give information to Hugh, but words like total moron are unnecesary and Hugh is trying to be helpful. His post may in fact warn somebody else on here about such things.

[Carakeel]

I agree with Lottie here! No need to be nasty when someone is new to all this and is only trying to help others not fall into the same trap. Please peeps, be nice! It isn't difficult!

[Answerprancer]

Hmm, it's interesting that IRL just as here in Answerbank, soft targets can be fair game.

[DTCwordfan]

This is a common one kicking around on major banks and building societies. I got one on a second e-mail I use, contacted my bank and forwarded the message to their fraud unit..... have seen messages for non-existent accounts. Nat West, HSBC, RSB, Lloyds, Santander, Alliance, Chelsea, seen them all......

[joko]

i agree...no need to be so rude...sure its a bit daft and naive...but fact is if these things didnt work on some people they wouldnt be doing it all over the world...

not everyone is super clued up and wise ... and the whole point of these scams is they are confusing and tricky...if they were obvious to all they wouldnt be much of a scam would they?

why is it acceptable to sneer and insult someone for not being so bright...? i wasnt aware that there was only one level of intelligence that we all had to match otherwise we are worthless...

there are many reasons why people are not that bright...illness, lack of education for whatever reasons, learning difficulties, brain injury, age, downs syndrome etc etc...its not a crime so no need to get nasty...

thanks hugh for being kind enough to let others know...

[chas2008]

as said nothing new, but to anyone never having seen one of these mails or only recently gone on-line i can see how easy it would be to get conned some look so professional.
back in the early days when i was first on e bay i had one threatening to close my account if i didnt supply certain details, alarms bells rangwhen they asked for my e mail password... i came very close to getting scammed.
I have lost count of how many parcels are waiting for me at UPS just waiting for my details so they can deliver

[boxtops]

Hugh, it's you that needs to beware - NEVER fill in details on an unsolicited email like that, your bank account to be emptied in seconds.

I get emails from banks all the time, including ones that I don't have accounts with - I just forward them to the phishing email addresses of the organisations concerned. Don't be fooled!

[Hugh Spencer]

Just to say I didn't complete the form so they didn't receive my information.

[bagpuss63]

Also agree with Lottie etc-no need to be rude,it was nice of Hugh to mention it-don't blame him if he doesn't for anything else,eg shop bargains

[chelle7272]

glad to hear that Hugh,
thanks for taking the time to post.

[sherrardk]

Just today I have been informed, by official looking emails, that they need my details to process my student loan, I've got a big tax refund due and that they need my details to unlock two online bank accounts!

[mungbeanz]

I wasn't being harsh to Hugh Spencer. I was merely pointing out that anybody could become a victim of this kind of thing, moron or not. If it was implied that I thought you were one, Hugh, then I apologise. 'even Answerbankers' refered to Hugh, not 'total moron'.

Just remember that utilitiy providers, banks and ebay wil never email you asking for personal details that they already have. If you receive any unsolicited mail, then ignore it.