Information Security Alert: E-Mail Hoax from Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Our broker/dealer, Commonwealth Financial Network^®, has notified us that some financial professionals and their clients have received hoax e-mails that claim to come from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. These e-mails prompt recipients to click a link to initiate or confirm a password change.

The hoax e-mails have included the following content:

“This message is to let you know that a password change has been submitted from a foreign IP address on [date].

However, for security reasons, your password will not be changed!”

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has confirmed that these e-mails are not legitimate. Clicking on the link in the e-mail initiates the download of viruses and/or malware.

PLEASE NOTE: Rest assured that your personal information has not been compromised in any way. This is a worldwide hoax, and the use of the Commonwealth name is a coincidence. We merely want to inform you of the risk, so you don't download damaging files to your computer.

If you receive an e-mail like the one described above, please delete it immediately! Do not click on the link, as this may result in compromised security. Neither our firm, nor Commonwealth, will ever ask for password or any other personal or account information via e-mail.

If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to give us a call at (610) 361-0865.