Phishing emails

Please see below for example phishing emails, which I received on the dates specified.  I have removed all references to the financial institutions named on the original emails as there is no connection whatsoever with the genuine companies and the fraudsters could use any name they wish.  A degree of authenticity is sometimes achieved by utilising banks which have recently merged or changed name as this provides a reason for contacting customers.

If you happen to receive an email which apparently originates from an institution you bank with, be aware that this is coincidental, having been achieved by the vast numbers of phishing emails sent randomly.  As stated elsewhere in this section, never click on the link purporting to lead to your bank account and never disclose personal information as genuine institutions will never ask you to do this.

Received 29 August 2009:

Dear xxxx Bank (former xxxx Bank) customer,

xxxx Bank has recently changed its name to be xxxx bank, and these days we introduce a new version of banking software. As you are registered to be an online account holder, please update your account records. In order to update your account, please follow the link below:

http://xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [hyperlink removed]

We look forward to helping you,

Your xxxx Customer Care Team.

The information contained in this message is proprietary and/or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please: (i) delete the message and all copies; (ii) do not disclose, distribute or use the message in any manner; and (iii) notify the sender immediately. In addition, please be aware that any message addressed to our domain is subject to archiving and review by persons other than the intended recipient. Thank you.

Received 17 August 2009:

xxxxxxxx Confirmation Form

Dear xxxxxxxx customer,

You have received this alerting message, as you are listed to be an xxxxxxxx Internet banking user.

We would like to inform you that we are currently carrying out scheduled maintenance of banking software, that operates customer database for  xxxxxxxx Internet banking users. Customer database is based on a client-server protocol, so, in order to finish the update procedure, we need customer direct participation. Every xxxxxxxx Internet banking customer (business and personal) has to complete a xxxxxxxx Confirmation Form. In order to access the form, please use the link below. The link is unique for each account holder and expires within a certain period of time. If you don't fill in xxxxxxxx Confirmation Form before your unique link expires, the system will automatically send you a new notification message.

xxxxxxxx Confirmation Form [hyperlink removed]

Thank you for your cooperation. We apologize for any inconvenience brought.

xxxxxxxx plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Our FSA register number is xxxxxx.
xxxxxxxx plc, Registered office :
xxxxxxxx,
xxxxxxxx.
Company No: xxxxxxx. Registered in England.

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