We received this sample phishing email below from an anonymous consumer:

-----Original Message-----
From: services-gtefcu@ gtefcu.org
To:
Subject: GTE Federal Credit Union - Account Update
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:40:22 -0400

Dear GTE FCU member,

It has come to our attention that your Online accountinformation needs to be updated as part of our continuing commitment to protect your account and to reduce the instance of fraud on our website. If you could please take 5-10 minutes out of your online experience and update your personal records you will not run into any future problems with the online service.

However, failure to update your records will result in account suspension!

Click here and begin the update of your account information.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter!
© GTE Federal Credit Union. All rights reserved.

The most important rules to remember when you receive a suspicious e-mail:

1. Banks will never ask you to verify your account information over e-mail.

2. Banks will never provide you a link to login to your account via e-mail.

Financial institutions are well aware of the phishing scams out there, and because of these scams, banks do not use e-mail to send such notifications.

As always, if you find yourself unsure, simply call your bank directly to confirm. But remember, don't use the phone number or links in the suspicious e-mail! They too could be scams!