In this edition of the Brandjacking Index, we look at the overall trends for exploits with four major financial services brands. As the economy has worsened over the past six months, we found that con artists have exploited consumers’ financial fears and uncertainties and rushed in to hijack well-known brands for their own profit. There has been a profound increase – 36% in one quarter — in the level of phishing attacks and cybersquatting abuse. More than 7,300 phony domains have been registered in the first quarter of 2009.

You can download the Brandjacking Index® – Spring 2009 report from MarkMonitor’s Web site here.