EDF customers hit in ‘phishing’ scam
Fake emails warn of unpaid bills and links point to fake site that asks for bank details
CUSTOMERS of power giant EDF are being targeted in a massive internet scam that is affecting more than 20,000 a month.
Emails tell customers their bills have not been paid because of a banking problem and ask them to make an urgent payment by bank card to avoid late penalties. The email contains a link to a website that looks similar to the EDF customer site to trick clients into giving bank details – that can be used to clean out accounts.
Known as a “phishing” attack, the false email contains text similar to the following: Votre paîement a été refusée par votre établissement bancaire. […] Pour éviter la pénalités de retard, nous vous donnant la possibilité de payer en ligne en utilisant votre carte bancaire.
EDF says the cyber attacks started in August with around 20,000 customers a month lodging complaints – however, in January, complaints soared to 40,000 as the number of attacks increased.
Olivier Jehl, internet customer relations director at EDF, said the company never sent out this type of email and said there were an increasing number of fraudulent hameçonnage emails, text messages and even voice messages trying to trick customers into revealing bank details.
“We are facing 200 to 300 new attacks each month” and he said this was affecting tens of thousands of clients.
He warned customers against clicking on any links in such emails or replying to texts or voice messages and said they should type in the EDF web address themselves and check their customer account. EDF would only ask for bank details (account number, bank card number, security code) in the espace Client.
• The Connexion has received numerous calls from readers about suspicious emails and phone calls allegedly from companies regarding late payment, or claiming to be from Microsoft and reporting a computer fault, or Orange regarding changes to your tariff, or the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales over holiday benefits.
• Have you been targeted by one of these scams? Let us know by email at news[at]connexionfrance.com
Photo: EDF - Bruno Conty
