The emails appear to be sent from various "@fdic.gov" email addresses, such as protection@fdic.gov, admin@administration.fdic.gov, or service@admin.fdic.gov.

They have various subject lines such as "Update for your banking account," "ACH and Wire transfers disabled," and "Banking security update."

Financial institutions and consumers should be aware that these fraudulent emails may be modified over time with other subject lines, sender names, and narratives. The FDIC does not directly contact bank customers, nor does the FDIC request bank customers to install software upgrades.

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents, and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 3501 North Fairfax Drive, CH-11034, Arlington, Virginia 22226, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov.

Please remember that the credit union will not contact members in this way and if you receive a call, DO NOT give out any personal or sensitive information about your debit card or any of your accounts. If you have questions or feel your account has been compromised, please contact us immediately.

The e-mail has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC and informs the recipient that "in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, federal, state and local governments…" the FDIC has withdrawn deposit insurance from the recipient's account "due to account activity that violates the Patriot Act." It further states deposit insurance will remain suspended until identity and account information can be verified using a system called "IDVerify."

If consumers go to the link provided in the e-mail, it is suspected they will be asked for personal or confidential information, or malicious software may be loaded onto the recipient's computer.

The FDIC warns that financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the link provided within the body of the e-mail and should NOT under any circumstances provide any personal information through this media.

Criminals depend on “banking Trojans,” malicious software spread through the Internet that allows them to steal funds by manipulating electronic transfers. Experts say a computer used only for banking is less likely to become infected than one used for e-mail and browsing the Web.

Small businesses and other small organizations are likely to be targeted because they depend on electronic transfers to pay employees and vendors, experts say. They are also more vulnerable because they do not have the same protections individual account-holders have.

Both companies offer loans through their Web sites and ask for money in advance to process them. They also collect personal financial information, such as Social Security and bank account numbers, which could be used to commit identity fraud.

Uni-Lending Group and Silvergate Financial Services claim to be lenders based in Philadelphia, but neither is located there or licensed by the Department of Banking.

If you are a victim to these or are aware of any other advance fee loan scams, please notify the Department of Banking at (800) PA-BANKS (within PA) or (717) 787-1854.

The e-mail looks as if it comes from no-reply@irs.gov, and warns users that they need to review a tax statement on the IRS Web site. The overall theme is that the user was caught hiding income from the IRS and they have a chance to fix it. The catch is that they will first need to download and install a file that infects computers with a virus or shuts them down completely.

If you have received a “notice of unreported income e-mail” from the IRS, delete it and do nothing else. If you do get a notice of unreported income e-mail or any e-mail from the IRS that asks for a response in the future, do not respond. The IRS does not use e-mail to get information to taxpayers.

The automated call states, “This is the XXXXX Credit Union calling in regards to your credit union card being used fraudulently. For more information, press 1.” At that point, the call tries to gather card information.

The credit union has also received the vishing calls on their own phone lines.

Many people who received these calls have provided the phone number that appeared on their Caller ID. The numbers appear to originate from all over the United States and Canada. According to Verizon, the numbers are being spoofed. They are real business numbers that look like the originator of the call.

Any credit unions receiving reports of this scam are asked to contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-382-4357 to report the incident. Members who receive the calls should also call the FTC to file a report.

Earlier this year, even before Cash for Clunkers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported Web sites that were soliciting for the names, addresses, and Social Security numbers of potential customers. Consumers also reportedly have been solicited by companies that offer to help fill out the paperwork needed to receive vouchers to take part in the program.

The BBB has informed potential program participants that they do not need to register or receive a voucher to participate in the Cash for Clunkers program. Also, auto dealerships, not individuals, are responsible for filling out any paperwork associated with the program. Official Car Allowance Rebate Site.