AusCERT - AL-2006.0006 -- Fake Reserve Bank of Australia email and website entice users to disclose banking ATM card number and PIN

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AL-2006.0006 -- Fake Reserve Bank of Australia email and website entice users to disclose banking ATM card number and PIN
Date: 24 January 2006

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A  U  S  C  E  R  T                                           A  L  E  R  T

                       AL-2006.0006 -- AUSCERT ALERT
          Fake Reserve Bank of Australia email and website entice
             users to disclose banking ATM card number and PIN
                              24 January 2006

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OVERVIEW:

	A new fraudulent email is being sent, falsely claiming to be from 
	the Reserve Bank of Australia. The email entices users to visit a fake 
	Reserve Bank website and enter their banking ATM debit card details 
	and PIN. 

	Details are requested for the debit cards of all Australian banks and 
	credit unions. The Reserve Bank and Australian High Tech Crime Centre 
	have produced a media release warning of this fraud, and showing an 
	example fake email. [1]


IMPACT:

	The information gathered by this website can be used to create fake 
	bank debit cards, allowing attackers to steal money from the bank 
	accounts of victims who visit the site and provide details.


MITIGATION:

	Users should avoid clicking on any links in emails, unless the email
	was already expected.

	System administrators may consider configuring web proxy servers 
	or firewalls to block the following destinations:

	    mail.hebut.edu.cn:81      (202.113.112.59)
	    kcmcww1.kmc.ne.jp:82      (202.248.63.34)
	    stweb.coremisgm.gob.mx:81 (148.243.138.130)
	    pubms.pku.edu.cn:81       (162.105.129.5)

	Additional addresses may also be used.
	Checking proxy logs for these addresses can help to determine if 
	any users may have already been affected.


DETAILS:

	The fraudulent email appears to be from "Reserve Bank" 
	<verification@rba.gov.au> and has a Subject line of 
	"Verification Required!" or similar.

	The email attempts to convince recipients to click on the link to 
	visit the fake website and verify card details by claiming that
	this is required by "anti-terrorism legislation aimed at preventing
	money laundering".

	On visiting the fake website, it requests that users first select 
	their bank name from a range of Australian banks, then enter their 
	name, ATM debit card numbers, PIN, expiration date and email address.

	Credit card numbers are not being targeted by this site.


REFERENCES:

	[1] RBA and AHTCC joint media release
	    http://www.rba.gov.au/MediaReleases/2006/mr_joint_rba_ahtcc_240106.html


AusCERT has made every effort to ensure that the information contained
in this document is accurate.  However, the decision to use the information
described is the responsibility of each user or organisation. The decision to
follow or act on information or advice contained in this security bulletin is
the responsibility of each user or organisation, and should be considered in
accordance with your organisation's site policies and procedures. AusCERT
takes no responsibility for consequences which may arise from following or
acting on information or advice contained in this security bulletin.

If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in 
any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT 
Incident Reporting Form at:

        http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192

===========================================================================
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072

Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Facsimile:      (07) 3365 7031
Telephone:      (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417)
                AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours
                which are GMT+10:00 (AEST).
                On call after hours for member emergencies only.
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