Hallmark Reminds Consumers to Open E-Cards Safely
Legitimate E-Cards Never Have Attachments
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (November 30, 2009) — Consumer security and the integrity of our brand are very important to Hallmark. A number of fraudulent e-mails concerning e-cards, some misusing the Hallmark name, have circulated in recent months. These malicious e-card notices take a variety of forms, with different instructions designed to obtain access to your computer files.
To help consumers avoid problems, Hallmark reminds consumers to take precautions to ensure an e-card is legitimate.
A legitimate Hallmark e-card notification will include the name of the sender (not just "from a friend") and a confirmation number. It will not include an attachment and will never ask for personal information.
When you receive an e-card e-email, look closely at the subject line before opening it. If it does not include the correctly spelled name of someone you know and a confirmation number, or includes any attachment, delete it immediately.
If the notice meets the above criteria, take these steps:
- Type www.hallmark.com/getecard into your browsers. Do not click directly on the link in the notice.
- Take note of what you are asked to do. If you are asked for any information other than your e-mail address and the confirmation number in the notification e-mail, it is not legitimate. Close the notice and delete immediately.
- Enter email address and confirmation number (found in the notification email) in the boxes provided. (A confirmation number will be similar to this: EG1850861075806.)
If a notification does not include a confirmation number, do not click on it, but delete it immediately.
The fraudulent emails do not originate from Hallmark. The Hallmark name, and those of other reputable companies, have been used by a third party. All legitimate Hallmark e-cards include the sender's name, can be retrieved at www.hallmark.com/getecard with the code provided in the e-mail notification, and never contain an attachment or ask for personal information.
Hallmark is continually monitoring these notices and working with the appropriate authorities to shut down the source of fraudulent e-mails.