Citibank customers, be aware of "Account Blocked" phishing scams like the one below, which claim that your online banking accounts have been blocked. The phishing scams steal online banking account credentials by tricking the recipients into clicking on a link in the fake email messages. The link goes to a fake Citibank website disguised as the legitimate one located at www.citibank.com.
The "Citibank Account Blocked" Phishing Scam
From: Citi Bank <yuuwudb999@comcast.net>
Date: April 23, 2018 at 7:04:11 AM EDT
Subject: Account Alert
Dear Customer,
Your Online Banking has been Blocked
Since we were unable to complete protection and safety of your account, this account has been blocked.
Your Citibank account has been reverted to the status of Pending Approval:
Click the link below to resolve this block:
Click Here to Start Identity Verification
Sincerely,
Citibank.
Once Citibank's customers attempt to sign into the fake or phishing website that the link goes to, their banking credentials will be sent to the cybercriminal behind the scam, who will use the stolen information to gain access to their accounts, steal their money, and use the accounts fraudulently.
Therefore, it is important that Citibank customers never click on links to sign into their accounts. They should instead, go directly to www.citibank.com and sign-in from there. This will prevent them from being tricked into visiting phishing websites that steal personal and financial information.
Citibank customers who have been tricked by the phishing email, or those who think they have been tricked, should contact Citibank for help.