Beginning early in 2006, online fraudsters mass-emailed scams targeting Chase Manhattan and JP Morgan customers. Dubbed 'phishing scams', such emails are designed to trick recipients into relinquishing personal financial details such as login credentials, mother's maiden name, and SSN. The Chase $20 Reward Survey phishing scams claim recipients will receive a $20 credit to their Chase or JP Morgan accounts in return for answering a few questions. An example of one such scam email follows:

You have been chosen by the Chase Manhattan Bank online department to take part in our quick and easy 5 question survey. In return we will credit $20 to your account - Just for your time! Helping us better understand how our customers feel benefits everyone.

In reality, the information collected will be used for credit card fraud and identity theft. If you've received such an email, forward a copy to abuse@chase.com. If you've ever responded to one - be sure to report the suspected fraud to Chase Manhattan bank.

While the "$20 Reward Survey" is currently the most common scam targeting Chase customers, it is by no means the only tactic used. Some phishing scams use a fear-based approach, claiming the recipient's account is threatened with closure. One such example follows:

Chase Bank Online® Department Notice

You have received this email because you or someone had used your account from different locations.
For security purpose, we are required to open an investigation into this matter.

In order to safeguard your account, we require that you confirm your banking details.
To help speed up this process, please access the following link so we can complete the verification of your Chase Online® Banking Account registration information :

link removeved

Please Note:
If we do no receive the appropriate account verification within 48 hours, then we will assume this Chase Bank account is fraudulent and will be suspended. The purpose of this verification is to ensure that your bank account has not been fraudulently used and to combat the fraud from our community.

Of course, contrary to the email's pledge, the intent is not to combat fraud but rather to instigate it. As with the "$20 Reward Survey" scam, if you've received such an email, forward a copy to abuse@chase.com. If you've ever responded to one - be sure to report the suspected fraud to Chase Manhattan bank.