FINRA Warns of Fraudulent Phishing Emails Targeting Member Firms

Summary 

FINRA warns member firms to be on the lookout for a fraudulent phishing email that is currently circulating. Brokerage firms reported to FINRA that they have received suspicious emails targeting their compliance personnel. The email appears to be from a legitimate credit union attempting to notify the firm about potential money laundering involving a purported client of the firm. The email directs the recipient to open an attached document—which likely contains a malicious virus or malware designed to obtain unauthorized access to the recipient’s computer network.

As a reminder, phishing scams are ever-changing and are designed to infiltrate the computer network of the recipient. Use caution when opening emails from unknown senders and do not open attachments until you verify the sender and information that might be included in the document.

Questions regarding this Notice may be directed to Joseph Ozag, Jr., Vice President, Office of the Whistleblower—Office of Fraud Detection and Market Intelligence, at (240) 386-6668.