The MarkMonitor Brandjacking Index reported that the technique, which involves calling the victim via an automated phone service to tell them they are at risk from fraudulent activity and then asking them to confirm their bank details, increased in the final quarter of 2007.

"Tracking trends over the course of a year shows that criminals and fraudsters around the world continue to develop new and adaptive ways to take advantage of brands," said Frederick Felman, chief marketing officer for MarkMonitor.

The technique is similar to SMishing, a method used by criminals to convince unsuspecting victims to give away their financial details via text messages, and is part of a wider increase in phishing attacks, said MarkMonitor.

Phishing increased by 37 per cent in 2007, according to MarkMonitor's figures and criminals are also still using tactics such as 'cybersquatting' – where they register a domain that contains a brand name they have no legal right to – in order to rip off surfers.

MarkMonitor said that though these types of attack were on the rise, brandholders were taking effective action against the criminals, with high-profile cases involving companies such as Microsoft and Dell recently in the courts.

"Brandholders have proven they can fight back. This should encourage all brandholders to be vigilant about protecting their brands and their customers against evolving threats," said Irfan Salim, president and chief executive officer of MarkMonitor.

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