Capital One customers who have received email or SMS text message security alerts like the one below, which claim that their accounts need to be verified or else they will be suspended should be deleted and the instructions in them should not be followed. This is because the messages, like the one below, are being sent by cybercriminals to frighten and trick potential victims into clicking on the links in them, which go to phishing websites that steal online account credentials.
A Sample of the "Capital One Security Alert" Phishing Scam
From: "service@capitalone.com" <eopmtr_41758@dove.augean.me>
Date: January 5, 2018 at 5:56:08 PM EST
Subject: Security Alert : 01-05-2018
CaptialOne
Security Alert
Unusual credit card activity detected
Dear Customer,
We're letting you know that we've detected some unusual activity on your credit card on 01/03/2018. For your protection, please verify this activity so you can continue making credit card transactions without interruption.
Verify now After verifying your credit card, we'll take the necessary steps to protect your account from fraud. Please disregard this notice if you've already contacted us. Best regards,
Capital one
Capital One customers who have received messages claiming that they need to do some activity on their accounts, such always go directly to https://www.capitalone.com/ and sign into their accounts. Once they have signed in, they will be notified of security updates, notifications and other important notifications, if there are any. So, there is no need to click on a link in an email message, which may go to phishing or malicious website.
Also, Capital One customers who have already been tricked by the phishing messages, are asked to change their passwords and contact Capital One immediately, before their accounts are hijacked and used fraudulently by cybercriminals.