[dfn8tly]

I just received an email from "Citizens Online" that informed me my account had been deactivated and gave me an email address and an 800 number to call. I immediately contacted Citizens First Bank and they said "this is a scam". Do NOT open this email or respond in any way. We would not send out emails to our customers of this nature. There is nothing wrong with the system or your account. They are just trying to gather information for identity theft.

If you should receive such an email, PLEASE DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY.

[2BNTV]

Thank you for posting this as we have to be careful.

I just read an article in AARP magazine that said you should call a known good phone number if you are doing business with the business who purportedly sent the e-mail and not the phone number listed on the e-mail. It may be a direct line to whoever is trying to scam someone. Otherwise, just delete the e-mail as you have suggested.

AARP magazine said to be careful of seniors scamming other seniors but using the "we have a lot in common" routine so one starts to feel comfortable with them. It tends to lull some people into thinking that "people our age don't do that sort of thing". This type of scam seems to be on the rise and is not always younger people. It's so sad to think of someone who worked their whole lifetime to get scammed out of their life's savings.

It pays to be vigilant!!!!!

[coralway]

Good post !!!

Unfortunately, this type of scam is not limited to just Citizens. I also get the same type of "warning" from Chase, Citi, BoA, and even Paypal.

[angiefox10]

I received a post telling me my Bank of America account needed to be updated... Huh??? I don't have an account with them!

[logdog]

I got the same Citizens Online email today but my Norton Security software caught it and tagged it as spam so I deleted it without opening. It's very important to keep your security software up to date. Those spammers are clever. By the way, the Norton Suite is free if you have Comcast as your ISP.

[Trish Crocker]

I have a jukebox listed on Craigslist...I got an inquiry and when I told him it was still available he said he couldn't come to look at it and just wanted my address to send me a check for the full amount..I could tell by the way the email was written that it is a scam. I HATE having to deal with stuff like this...thinking I would much rather just donate everything and take a tax break!! The main thing that keeps me going is just daydreaming about TV and finally getting there!

[Pturner]

Thanks dfn8ly,
This is a timely reminder. Best to be skeptical of any telephone or email requests for information, and to call the company yourself if you think it might be legitimate. (It almost never is.) Sadly, as the holiday season approaches, scammers seem to come out of the woodwork.