Sometimes big banks are targets of those far-flung phishing email scams, and sometimes criminals pick on small institutions. A current scam is targeting small West Bend Savings Bank, in Wisconsin.
The email includes the bank's logo and falsely warns the recipient that recent fraud activity has compromised their account's security. They are instructed to click on a link, which will supposedly take them to a page where they can verify their account information.
Of course, clicking on the link will take victims to a phony page where the scammer can capture any information that is entered.
Most people who receive the email will see it for what it is, since they probably don't have an account at West Bend Savings Bank, and probably have never heard of it. But for the few recipients who happen to have an account there, it's possible they could be fooled.
The emails look like this:
West Bend Savings Bank has posted a warning on its Website about the ruse and warns consumers not to click on any links or attachments in an email that looks like its from the bank.
"West Bend Savings Bank will never send e-mails or use the internet to request personal or banking information," the band warned.
If you receive a similar email, don't respond to it or open any attachments. Contact your bank by phone to verify any such communications.
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