Bank of America customers are the latest targets in a string of fake email scams designed to collect financial information from consumers.

The e-mail looked as though it is from Bank of America. It asked bank customers to click on a link to a fake site resembling the bank’s real site. Then consumers were asked for their account name and password. Fortunately, only a handful of people were compromised by this scam. However, this type of fake e-mail is becoming quite common and the challenge is to determine if it is genuine.

There are a few general guidelines. Do not provide personal financial information through any e-mail link. You do not know where the link takes you. It may look genuine but you have no assurance that you aren’t about to become a scam victim if you provide sensitive financial info.

Ask yourself, why does my bank need this information? Shouldn’t it already have my account information? Contact your bank if you receive this type of e-mail.