A major bank on Thursday warned its customers of a scam email asking them to divulge their internet banking details.

An email claiming to come from the bank asks Absa's customers to divulge their log-on details, it said in a statement.

"One circulating e-mail claims that Absa account holders are eligible to receive a return on incurred bank charges in 2009, and invites them to key-in their personal banking information following a link given in the email to qualify for this benefit."

Another email claims Absa is updating its online security following an attempted breach. It requires customers to click on a link to confirm his/her identity to avoid limitations to internet banking access.

"These are hoax emails in which every single psychological ploy, right from shocking, luring, scaring and threatening directly are used by scam artists to get their potential victims."

The bank advised its customers to delete the e-mail.

"Customers must be suspicious of e-mails asking for personal information, particularly bank or credit card account numbers, passwords and identity number."