From: GeNS@gtbank.com
Subject: Customer Security Alert...
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:13:12 -0800
Dear Guaranty Trust Bank Customer,
Your access to Online Service has been suspended due to a mis-match of access code between your Security details. To enable you continue accessing your online account, it will only take you few minutes to re-activate your account. Click on the guide-link below and follow the directions to instant activation of your account and Security information
https://gtbplc.com/customer.ibc?WT.svl=ibcplogon
*Important*
NOTE: FAILURE CAN RESULT TO PERMANENT ACCOUNT SUSPENSION.
P. R. JOHN
Security Advisor
Guaranty Trust Bank © 2010.
Can you spot all that is wrong with this fraudulent notice?
I post this not to brandish some sort of superior skills in technical writing but to point out flaws that should alert you, if you ever get one of these messages asking you to follow a link somewhere to update your information.
1. "NOTE: FAILURE CAN RESULT TO PERMANENT ACCOUNT SUSPENSION" – This does not make any sense even in Afghanistan. Why would your failure to respond to an online notice result in permanent suspension of your account?
2. "Your access to Online Service has been suspended due to a mis-match of access code between your Security details." – A. The grammar is wrong, B. The supposed error is technically impossible.
3. "To enable you continue accessing your online account, it will only take you few minutes to re-activate your account."– The first part of the sentence has nothing to do with the second part. The writer started out thinking one thing and then jumped to something else, without completing the first thought. Plus, If there is a mismatch (note: not mis-match), then what are they comparing it against? The bad code or the wrong data?
4. Click on the guide-link below and follow the directions to instant activation of your account and Security information - I bet they meant to say "instantly reactivate" and would it not be reactivate since your account was "active" before?
Edu Nnadi
Life as it happens
2 comments:
lol. yeah i get these all the time.
thanks for breaking down the very obvious ignorant use of grammar and tenses.
u missed this part though:
P. R. JOHN
"Security Advisor"
Guaranty Trust Bank © 2010.
"security advisor"? seriously? is that what they are called?
The mistakes "Mr. P.R John" made inlcude:
Underestimating the sophistication of GTB's customer base.
Sending out bulk mail which always end up in the junk folder.
Being a cheap thief or "419".
Let them continue to try, if the law does not catch up with them, God will surely get them, now or later. Their is no rest for the wicked says the Lord.
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