There is every reason to suspect another exchange is trying to poach members from mtgox. Just got this pishing email:
Date: Mon, Jan 2, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Subject: [Mt.Gox] Your account is currently pending review.
To: -
Dear Mt.Gox user,
Your account is currently pending review, please visit
https://mtgox.com/forms/verificationFor those users who have had their accounts marked for review, an
explanation of why were are implementing these security measures can be
found here:
Security Measures
Explained
“Verified” Accounts are eligible for monthly/daily transaction limits of up
to 5 times the monthly limit and 10 times the daily limit.
In order to apply for the “Verified” account status please attach a copy of
the following documents:
- Your government issued photo ID (passport, permanent residence card or
driver’s license) and
- A scan of either your monthly utility bill (power, phone, TV, gas, water,
etc.) or a certificate of residency issued by your local government.
Thanks,
The Mt.Gox team
Return email address doesn't go to a scammer, it goes directly to
info@mtgox.com (not spoofed), so no motive of stealing personal information
Email info of users is from the earlier leak of emails last year.
They are trying to make it look like Mt. Gox is unreliable, under government surveillance/pressured by officials to gain personal information from it's clients.
Combine with a simultaneous DDoS & it's obvious a competitor is attempting to drive traffic to their site this way, too big of a coincidence.
A pretty basic and primitive strategy, if you ask me.
Also Mt. Gox is up now.