The email message below: "Payment Advice – Advice Ref:[GB363536] / CHAPS credits," has a link that downloads a malicious file disguised as a payment advice, that will infect the recipients' computers if they open it. The email was not sent by HSBC Bank, but by cyber-criminals, whose aim is to infect the recipients' computers with a Trojan horse, which will allow them to spy on and steal their victims' personal and financial information. Recipients of the email message are asked to delete it and do not follow the instructions in it.
The Fake and Malicious HSBC Bank Email
Subject: Payment Advice – Advice Ref:[GB363536] / CHAPS credits
Please download document from server, payment advice is issued at the request of our customer. The advice is for your reference only.
Download link:
http://broadtech.co/HSBC.BANK_STORAGE_ DATA/secure-document.html
Yours faithfully,
Global Payments and Cash Management
HSBC
This is an auto-generated email, please DO NOT REPLY. Any replies to this email will be disregarded.
Security tips
1.install virus detection software and personal firewall on your computer. This software needs to be updated regularly to ensure you have the latest protection.
2.to prevent viruses or other unwanted problems, do not open attachments from unknown or non-trustworthy sources.
3. If you discover any unusual activity, please contact the remitter of this payment as soon as possible.
This e-mail is confidential. It may also be legally privileged. If you are not the addressee you may not copy, forward, disclose or use any part of it. If you have received this message in error, please delete it and all copies from your system and notify the sender immediately by return e-mail.
Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be timely, secure, error or virus-free. The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions.
Now, recipients of the email message who have already clicked on the link, downloaded and opened the malicious file, are advised do a full scan of their computers with the antivirus software installed on them.
If you don’t have antivirus software installed on your computer, please click here for a list of free antivirus software.
For a list of other virus email messages, please click here.