The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports of a fraudulent e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC.

The subject line of the e-mail states: "Funds wired into your account are stolen." The e-mail tells recipients that the proceeds of identity theft crimes have been wire-transferred into their bank account. The e-mail then directs recipients to open and review an attached copy of their bank account statement. The attached file is actually an unknown executable file.

Recipients should consider the intent of the executable file as a malicious attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to on-line banking services or to conduct identity theft.

The FDIC does not issue unsolicited e-mails to consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT open the executable file attached to the fraudulent e-mail.

Changes in FDIC Deposit Insurance Coverage

October 14, 2008

All non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts at an FDIC-insured institution, including all personal and business checking deposit accounts that do not earn interest, are fully insured for the entire amount in the deposit account. This unlimited insurance coverage is temporary and will remain in effect for participating institutions until December 31, 2009.

October 3, 2008

All other deposit accounts at FDIC-insured institutions are insured up to at least $250,000 per depositor until December 31, 2009. On January 1, 2010, FDIC deposit insurance for all deposit accounts - except for certain retirement accounts - will return at least $100,000 per depositor. Insurance coverage for certain retirement accounts, which include all IRA deposit accounts, will remain at $250,000 per depositor.

E-mail Claiming to Be From the FDIC – March 14, 2008

The FDIC has received a number of reports of a phishing e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. This e-mail asks "Who is FDIC?" and "What can FDIC do for you?" It warns against identity theft and states that the "FDIC is presenting a new card insurance which can restore you up to $500 if you are a victim of internet fraud." The e-mail directs recipients to click on a link to be redirected to "an online signup page for this program." This e-mail is a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal information from consumers. Consumers should NOT access the link provided within the body of the e-mail and, under any circumstances, not provide any personal information through this media.