MIAMI – The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department is warning consumers to be cautious about an identity theft scam involving individuals’ bank accounts. Scam artists are trying to take advantage of the confusion over the financial turmoil in the marketplace by sending emails purporting to originate from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). With stories in the media about frequent bank mergers, it’s easy to see why some may think their funds are in trouble and are falling for bait and switch tactics.
In this most recent email scam, the bank account owner is told, “Funds wired into your account are stolen from innocent account holders through Identity Theft. Please check your account statement (the statement is attached to this letter) and contact your bank account manager.” The email is signed, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“Consumers should not respond to this email,” said Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department Director Cathy Grimes Peel. “Unscrupulous individuals are phishing for personal information so that they may steal one’s identity and money from their bank accounts. They also use this information to commit illicit activities, such as opening credit card accounts or applying for loans.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation recommends forwarding fraudulent emails to the U.S. Secret Service, your local FBI office at www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Complaints can also be registered with the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel at www.consumer.gov/sentinel.
Helpful tips and resources to prevent identity theft are available on the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department website at www.miamidade.gov/csd or via the Consumer Mediation Center at 305-375-3677.
