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Email Safety
"Phishing" Schemes
"Phishing" is a kind of credit and debit card fraud. By pretending
to email from a bank or similar site, scammers "fish" for account
numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, etc. They trick
consumers into divulging sensitive information so that unlawful
charges can be made on the consumers' accounts.
A number of fraudulent email messages that claim to be from Sears credit cards,
Citi Cards, Citibank, or Citigroup have been forwarded to us
by our cardmembers. These schemes change frequently and often
have links or attachments with links. Users who click on the
links are taken to look-alike or "spoofed" sites where they
are asked to enter personal data.
Email Security Zone
The best way to verify an email from us is to look for the Email Security Zone header. Every Searscard.com email includes the last 4 digits of your card number.
Please note that we will never ask you for your PIN number,
and will never include your full account number in an email-only
the last four digits. If you receive an email claiming to be
from us that includes your full account number, do not
respond to it. Instead, forward it to spoof@citicorp.com.
How to tell if a Sears website is valid and secure
If you are directed from an email to a Sears card or other Citi website and want
to know if the page is valid and secure:
- Check for a padlock or key image at the bottom of your
browser window
- Double-click the padlock to open the SSL (Secure Sockets
Layer) Certificate
- From the Details tab, choose Subject
- Current information for the SSL certificate should appear.
- The name Citigroup should display alongside the letter
O (for Owner).
What does a phishing email look like?
Below are samples of phishing messages.
Your
Sears account was temporarily suspended
Protect
your Sears Account
SearsCard Online Survey
Easy fraud reporting
If you suspect that an email appearing to be from us is fraudulent,
forward it immediately to spoof@citicorp.com. An Internet
Security Specialist will investigate. If you have replied to
an email with personal information, and now think the email
was fraudulent, call us at the toll-free number on the back
of your card. We will issue a replacement.
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