The financial institution is aware of such phishing schemes

Aug 27, 2012 11:59 GMT  ·  By

Santander customers may be presented these days with a simple, yet effective, scam that’s circulating via email, apparently being sent from [email protected].

“Your online account statement could not be reviewed due to incorrect banking details. To have your online account reinstated, you need to renew your online service access. Click here verify the problem. Regards. Santander Online Banking,” the fake emails read.

Users who fall for it and click on the links are immediately redirected to a sports site from South Africa. There’s nothing malicious about the website itself, but because it lacks proper security measures, hackers have taken it over to publish a webpage that replicates the login page of Santander.

Once the victim enters his/her details on the fake website, all the valuable information is sent back to the attackers, allowing them to gain access to bank accounts.

Santander is aware of such phony notifications and they advise customers to report all suspicious messages to [email protected]. Even if they don’t respond to each report, they guarantee to investigate it.

“Santander will never send you an email asking you to enter or verify your Online Banking or personal details. When you log into Online Banking always check you see your chosen image and phrase so you know you are logging into the genuine Santander Online Banking website,” reads a security message on the legitimate login page.

It continues, “If you receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your Online Banking log on, card or personal details, please do not reply as it will be fraudulent.”

Most importantly, if you have already fallen for such a scam, we recommend that you immediately contact the financial institution at 0845 600 4388 (for customers from the United Kingdom).