Well I decided to talk about it again, because these time…. I guess they’re getting smarter than I ever thought they could.

Take a look at the snap shot of the email I received from them, well written and structured to convince you its genuine.

But, take a minute and look at the picture again…. the header reads:

from: Guaranty Trust Bank <GeNs@gbank.com>
to:
date: Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 6:22PM
Subject: GTB Banking Update.

[Trace 1]
Something is missing, the to section. That I guess they couldn’t ensure it sends confidentially to emails (technical).

After reading the email, I was still doubting if it were scam because their was no link. But an attachment of which I though could be a form I’d print and take to the bank.

[Trace 2]

Notice the attachment is in HTML (Gtbank.html), which could have been a word document if I were to print and take to the bank!

So, I managed to click on the link to view the attachment to ensure I was right it got to be a scam!

[Trace 3]

Great appearance for a similar bank page, nice cloning of the GTBank Portal. However they’re asking for PIN Code which banks will never do. Not GTBank, not any other bank!

CAUTION: “Never enter your ATM No, PIN or ePIN (Visa Cards) online unless you are on certified Interswitch Sites. Even, I recommend you go to Interswitch Official Sites and check if the site you’re paying on is listed on their merchants. “

Well, I have been receiving similar of these scam emails. You may wonder why I emphasize on being cautious of all these. its because a close friend of mine was once a victim of Similar ATM online fraud via a fake MTN Promotion.

Pls. hold your funds safe and be extra careful where you enter your ATM card number online.

Be Safe.

A layman may thought the email is real, since its coming from @gtbank.com which is the bank’s official site address. (Well its not so.)

The email I quote:

SUBJECT: GTBank Public Announcement. MESSAGE: We regret to inform you that access to your GTBank Online Account and Atm Cards has been temporarily limited. This has been done due to several failed log-in attempts. To restore your account please log in correctly here: http://ooowhy-not.ru/language/gtbaccount.html If you fail to log in correctly your account will be suspended for fraud prevention. You will be able to register again for GTBank Online Account only after you authenticate your profile. We apologize for the inconvenience, this measure was taken for your protection. GTBank  Security Team

I received the above email over seven times within the weeks.

Avoiding such scam emails is easy, you should always be cautious of the provided link and the mail sending sever. See the link above, its on http://ooowhy-not.ru/ which is not a GTBank website but scammer’s.

If it was to be a GTBank email, it will take you to http://gtbank.com and you can confirm that from your browser address bar even after you click the link.

On a better note, you should first contact the bank before you fill any form online. Call your accountant or walking to the bank to confirm if they surely needed your information.

Be careful of scammers, they sometimes get stupid enough to confuse you.