NatWest targeted by net fraudsters

Consumers that bank online with NatWest are the latest to be targeted by internet fraudsters seeking passwords and cash. An email currently circulating the net claims that some of NatWest's members no longer have access to their email addresses and must verify their details to continue banking. The email reads: "Dear NatWest Bank Member, This email was sent by the NatWest server to verify your e-mail address. You must complete this process by clicking on the link below and entering in the small window your NatWest login ID,Password and PIN." Internet scams that involve criminals bombarding random surfers with such emails in the hope of luring them in to giving out confidental information, has increased five-fold in just two years, according to the UK’s National Hi-Tech Crime Unit. Online customers with Barclays and Lloyds TSB have already been targeted by fraudsters. Earlier this week, the NHTCU, APACS (the Association for Payment Clearing Services) and the BBA (British Bankers’ Association) issued safety guidelines for UK consumers to help protect themselves against internet fraudsters. Surfers are reminded that banks will never ask you to give out passwords and PINs and never link to the bank via an email - always go the official website.