UAE Internet users targeted by fake HSBC email phishing scam

Phishing refers to fraudulent spam emails and websites disguised as trusted brands intended to trick consumers into divulging personal and financial information, which is then used for identity and financial theft. The email with the subject header 'HSBC UAE. Urgent Update!' requested customers to enter their pin code as a measure to activate a new security system.

The scam was detected by Etisalat and HSBC yesterday and after a thorough investigation, Etisalat blocked the fake HSBC website through the proxy server as an immediate measure of protection for Internet users in the UAE. Customers who were tricked into believing that this was a genuine website were thus protected from divulging their sensitive account information and password thereby protecting them from any financial losses.

Etisalat has also taken additional measures for EIM Mail users by categorizing the email as spam and adding it in the spam list for its customers.

'HSBC would like to thank Etisalat for their proactive action and cooperation in blocking the fake HSBC website. Fraudulent e-mail scams are an industry-wide issue and HSBC was one of many financial organisations whose customers were targeted. HSBC would never send e-mail nor SMS requesting customers to provide such confidential information.

'HSBC locally and worldwide coordinated with all the concerned ISP's from the country where the website was located and shut down the site. We would like to reassure our customers that HSBC's Internet Banking Service remains a safe and secure channel for executing their financial transactions,' said Nader Haghighat, Regional Head of Direct Banking, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited.

According to Abdulla Hashim, Assistant General Manager, eCompany, Etisalat, 'Phishing is a significant threat on the Internet today affecting users worldwide. Companies and financial institutions need to take appropriate measures to protect their users by raising awareness on the issue and using security measures like two factor authentication.

'This incident is also a timely reminder of the beneficial aspect of the proxy filter in protecting UAE Internet users against such scams. Etisalat is committed to protecting our users from such threats and we will take all possible measures in making sure our users are protected now and in the future.'