The fake email alert below, which claims that a system-hold has been placed on the recipients' CIBC account, is a phishing scam. The fake email is being sent by cybercriminals to trick CIBC customers into clicking on the link within it, which will take them to a fake CIBC website. And, any attempts to sign into the fake website by CIBC customers will result in their account usernames (card numbers) and passwords being sent to cybercriminals, who will use the stolen information to hijack and use their CIBC accounts fraudulently.
CIBC customers who have already been tricked by the phishing email message are asked to change their passwords immediately and contact CIBC bank immediately for help.
The "CIBC System-Hold Put on Your Account Alert" Phishing Scam
From: CIBC-Canadian-Imperial-Bank-of-Commerce.msg4775520760@newsela.com <CIBC-Canadian-Imperial-Bank-of-Commerce.msg4775520760@newsela.com>
Sent: August 23, 2018 12:44 PM
Subject: System-hold! [SKID: 477LUVP4]
Intended message-to:
Online system alert.
A system hold has been put on your account.
This is only temporary and it will be lifted after you log in.
Simply log-in here and lift the hold!
This is a normal process for suspicious activity.
We are sorry for this inconvenience
© Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 2018
CIBC customers should never click on a link to sign into their accounts, especially links in email messages. They should instead, go directly to https://www.cibc.com/, and sign into their accounts. If there is something wrong or they need to do something with their accounts, they will be notified right after signing in. Or, they contact CIBC customer service to verify the authenticity of an email message before following the instructions in it.