The phony site is labeled “International Securities Investor Protection Corporation (I-SIPC.com)” and it mimics features of the legitimate SIPC Web site’s artwork and design. The look-alike site is soliciting Madoff victims to submit claims, which SIPC is warning could result in “phishing” or other identity theft problems.
"We know from information provided to us by individuals that this bogus group is already attempting to obtain funds and confidential financial information from investors in the U.S.,” said SIPC President Stephen Harbeck. “SIPC wants to be as clear as possible that Madoff victims and other investors should not share any personal financial information via this Web site or rely upon it as an information source.”
As we reported previously, thieves have used similar tactics with phishing e-mails that appear to come from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., falsely warning consumers that their bank is failing and asking them to provide their account information to the FDIC. And we’ve also warned about being on-guard for phony IRS phishing emails that claim to be notifying you of a pending tax refund.
As for this latest phishing scam, the same advice we’ve offered before holds true: Never provide any financial or other sensitive personal information unless you have initiated the communication yourself via legitimate contact information, which for SIPC is: asksipc@sipc.org or (202) 371-8300.—Andrea Rock
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