A warning has been issued to anyone with a NatWest account as the bank urges customers to stay vigilant amid a rising number of scams.
More people are falling victim to malicious scams, with some NatWet customers receiving fraudulent emails which appear to be authentic. However, the mails are actually phishing emails from scammers who are attempting to steal money from bank accounts.
The fake NatWest message claims that the mobile linked to your online bank account has been changed, asking customers to provide a one-time passcode that has been sent to the old linked number. The email then asks recipients to click on a link in order to cancel the request.
Clicking the link will then take you to a webpage that appears similar to the NatWest online banking site. However, the URL gives the scam site away as it contains a string of random words rather than a genuine NatWest domain, reports the Mirror.
The bank is warning customers to avoid entering personal data on the website as this may allow scammers to access your details and bank account.
First reported by Which?, the phishing email contains a few tell tale signs to allow customers to figure out it is not in fact from NatWest.
For example, the email does not come from an official NatWest email account - ending in @natwest.com. The email address instead ends in @natwestsecure.com, with the message beginning "Dear Customer" opposed to addressing you by name.
The fake site also contains errors, such as the wording “Online bankingservices”, with NatWest official emails always containing at least one identifiable piece of information, such as your name or part of your postcode.
A NatWest spokesperson has now issued a warning to customers. They said: "Criminals are using phishing emails to trick customers into giving away their bank details or downloading malicious software.
"A genuine email from NatWest will always contain at least one identifiable piece of information, such as your name or partial postcode. If unsure about an email do not click on any links, do not enter your bank details and do not install any applications or software to your device. If you have done so contact your bank immediately."
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