Scam Alert: Fraudulent IRS Email

Earlier today I received the above email.

I checked the link, and the link does not point to the Internal Revenue Service's website, www.irs.gov.  This email is a fraud.  The IRS will never ask you for your debit card number or ssn online unless filing an online return.

Please delete this email if it reaches your inbox.

Scam Alert: Bank of America Customers Beware

If you receive an email with the following body, this is a scam, do not follow the instructions in the email.

Dear Bank of America - Military Bank Customer,

As part of our efforts to meet the requirements of the Federal
Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), we now ask all
Military Bank Online users to verify their account information. It's a
smart and simple way to add an additional level of protection to your
account.

Here's how it works:
1. Click here to sign on.
2. Complete our quick and simple form.

3. Continue with your Military Bank
Online session.

We may periodically ask you to provide information in Military Bank
Online as a quick identity check. That way, when you drop in to do
business, we'll know it's you.

Thank you,
Bank Of America - Military Bank Online

Scam Alert: Merrill Lynch Account Holders Beware

A few days ago, I received the email above. I knew right away that this email was a scam. Why? Because I am not even a Merrill Lynch customer, thats why. So please if you receive this email, immediately delete it.

Luckily for users of Mozilla Firefox 2.0, the browser recognizes the link in the email as a fraudulent website and will block its access.

Basically, the sender of the email is spamming this email to 1000's of people, hoping to catch just a handful that are Merrill Lynch customers that are unaware of the scam. When those poor unfortunate users click the link, fill in the "Secure Login" form, their account username and password has then been handed over to the criminal.

Words of advice, 99% of businesses today will not ask you for your username and password, they will not have you login to a special server on account of a hacker, nor will they request any special personal information via email to verify if your account has been "hacked". In a situation where your account has been hacked or they is a problem, they will call you. If you are unsure, call them. Never click without doing some research first.

Chris