Last night, the SEC posted an unusual warning on its SEC_News Twitter account (see a copy of the tweet at the bottom of this page).

On its website, the SEC offered additional details yesterday. The SEC explained that numerous individuals had contacted the agency in the past day about a startling email they had received which read:

Dear customer, Securities and Exchange Commission Whistleblower office has received an anonymous tip on alleged misconduct at your company, including Material misstatement or omission in a company's public filings or financial statements, or a failure to file Municipal securities transactions or public pension plans, involving such financial products as private equity funds.  Failure to provide a response to this complaint within 14 day period will result in Securities and Exchange Commission investigation against your company. You can access the complaint details in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Tips, Complaints, and Referrals portal under the following link: [link deleted]

The SEC warned that people receiving the email should not open it as the email was a "hoax" and clicking on the link also exposed people's computers to "malicious software." C'mon, hoaxsters, that just cold! Scaring people and exposing to malicious software, to boot? 

The SEC added, in case there was any lingering confusion, that the "SEC's Office of the Whistleblower is real."

WARNING ON BOGUS E-MAIL PURPORTING TO BE FROM SEC WHISTLEBLOWER: 1.usa.gov/zO7qPg

— SEC_News (@SEC_News) February 23, 2012

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