(Washington, DC) — Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton of the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) today warned District consumers to be aware of a fraudulent email that has the appearance of being sent from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). 

The subject of the email states, “Funds wired into your account are stolen.” It tells recipients that the proceeds of identity theft crimes have been wire-transferred into their bank account; the email then directs recipients to open and review an attached copy of their bank account statement. The attached file is actually an unknown executable file. DISB is warning recipients that this file is a malicious attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to on-line banking services or to conduct identity theft.

Please note that FDIC does not issue unsolicited emails to consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT open the executable file attached to the fraudulent email.

“If you receive an email regarding your bank account, please do not click on any links, and contact your financial institution first to get clarification,” said Commissioner Hampton. “It is crucial for consumers to know how to protect themselves from these types of scams to reduce the risk of becoming victims.”

You may report suspicious emails regarding the FDIC by sending an email to the FDIC financial crimes unit at alert@fdic.gov or call the FDIC toll-free at 1 (877) ASK-FDIC (1 (877) 275-3342).

If you have been a victim of the above scam and would like to file a complaint, please contact DISB’s Banking Bureau or Enforcement and Investigation Bureau at (202) 727-8000 or visit our website at disb.dc.gov.