Bogus Nationwide Building Society email targets customers in Phishing scam

Nationwide Building Society customers are being targeted by a phishing scam, in which fraudulent emails designed to appear genuine direct users to a fake website.

The purpose of this scam is to deceive customers into disclosing their login details and other sensitive information.

The scam was brought to light when a number of Nationwide customers reported receiving suspicious emails that appeared to be from the Building Society.

There’s a new scam on the block ⚠️

Members have reported a phishing email which looks genuine, but directs you to a fraudulent website to ‘login’ and update your details, stealing your data in the process.

If you spot it, delete the email and do not click the link. pic.twitter.com/JJ5TYunbkE

— Nationwide Building Society (@AskNationwide) March 15, 2023

These emails urged recipients to click on a link and update their personal information.

The bogus email states: “We are writing to you today as we have been trying to contact you but unfortunately the contact details we have on file for you appear to be incorrect.”

“We kindly request that you update your contact details with us as soon as possible to ensure we can get in touch with you regarding your account.”

“To ensure that we have your correct contact information, please log in to your account on our website and verify that your phone number is up-to date.”

“You may also need to review and update your other contact information such as your email address and mailing address, to ensure that we are able to reach you via multiple channels.”

“Please note that failure to update your information may result in difficulties with your account including restrictions on certain transactions.”

Cybersecurity experts advise that phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it more difficult for users to identify fraudulent emails.

To protect against such scams, the public is encouraged to:

1. Verify the sender’s email address to ensure it is from a genuine source.
2. Look for any spelling or grammar errors, which could indicate a fraudulent email.
3. Avoid clicking on any links or downloading any attachments from suspicious emails.
4. Report any suspicious emails to the relevant financial institution or organisation.
5. Regularly update computer and antivirus software to defend against potential threats.

How to report fraud or a scam