I just received a very official-looking e-mail from the Citibank company saying there has been fraud on my credit card and possibly my checking account, as well. It asks that I log in immediately to verify my information.
Only problem: I don't bank with Citibank. I never have in any way.
Closer examination of the e-mail shows that while some of its links go to the Citibank site (mostly to grab logos and imagery), the main portions of the e-mail link to some other, apparently-unrelated company. In other words, masquerading as Citibank, this other firm is attempting to get me to enter and/or confirm details of my financial life…probably credit card numbers, checking account numbers, ATM passwords, etc. I don't know for sure what they want because I didn't log in. That stupid, I'm not.
But it is frightening to remember that some people are. Some people do fall for these scams. There are even sentient human beings who, upon receipt of an e-mail from someone claiming to be the heir to the throne of Nigeria will send off their banking info, thinking they're going to get a cut of the heir's sixteen million paloozas.
I forwarded the bogus Citibank e-mail to the appropriate folks at my I.S.P. who, if they handle it the way they handle technical questions, will get around to it before the decade is out. But I thought I might remind you all, just in case you get hit on the head and momentarily lose all common sense. Do not give personal data out to anyone who e-mails you. Send it to me so I can plunder your IRA.