Internet scammers trying to cash in on COVID-19 pandemic

INTERNET SCAMMERS are trying to cash in on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

On Monday, CIBC FirstCaribbean sent out an email to customers advising them that emails which appear to be from CIBC FirstCaribbean requesting that you log-in, via an embedded link, to view the details of a debit transaction on your account are phishing emails and are completely fraudulent.

“Additionally, as the world grapples with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there is a very real threat of fraudsters using Coronavirus-themed document lures, disguised as health advisories, to their advantage,” the bank’s release said.

CIBC FirstCaribbean says that customers should always be on the alert as there are no changes to the procedure for accessing the CIBC FirstCaribbean’s

Internet Banking website.

“CIBC FirstCaribbean will never send you emails with links leading to other websites (scroll your mouse over the link(s) in the phishing emails you will note that you are being directed to other websites that are in no way affiliated with CIBC FirstCaribbean).

“The bank will never use emails to inform clients of account changes and will never request you to log in or provide your personal account details via e-mail,” the release stated.

Customers are also being asked to not click on links or download open files within the emails and to report suspicious messages to the bank immediately by forwarding the email to the fraud mailbox at fraud@cibcfcib.com.