Co-operative Bank hit by phishing scam

DON’T CLICK: Co-operative Bank customers were advised to delete the scam email.

Co-operative Bank are the latest financial institution to be hit with a phishing scam.

An email sent out by cyber criminals asks customers to, “kindly complete the verification process to avoid account suspension”. It then asks customers to click on a link to its website.

Online scammers use a range of ‘phishing’ ways to trick people into handing over personal information, usually by phone or email. Once they have that information, such as an account number, log-in details, or password, they can access identity and money. 

Co-operative Bank communications spokeswoman Anna Aitchison confirmed the latest email was a scam.

The bank had just been made aware of the it and so far, there had not been reports of any customers who had fallen for it.

“Everyday there is a new crazy scam,” she said.

The bank would never ask for any personal details or for its customers to click on links to its website.

She advised customers to delete the email and if they had clicked on a link they should change their passwords and contact the bank, she said.

New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope said banks would stand by genuine victims of fraud and reimburse any losses.

NetSafe director Martin Cocker said email phishing scams were an ongoing problem. 

Scams tended to be seasonal and Christmas was the ideal time to target people. 

He urged people to report all schemes to the bank or NetSafe.

How to avoid phishing scams:

·         Don’t give out account details over the phone unless you made the call and you trust that the number you called is genuine.