TORONTO — The Royal Bank is warning its customers about an e-mail fraud that asks clients for personal information regarding their accounts, an apparent scam aimed at taking advantage of the bank's recent computer system problems.

The Royal said it learned Wednesday that e-mails are being sent out asking customers to verify account numbers and personal identification numbers, or PINs, through a link included in the e-mail. The message states that if they don't click on the link and key in their client card number and passcode, access to the account will be blocked.

While both the link and the e-mail -- which uses the address support@royalbank.com -- look as though they're official and legitimate, they did not originate from Royal, which is warning its clients not to fall victim to the scheme.

"We are reminding people that they should never give out their personal identification numbers and that it is a scam," Royal spokeswoman Judi Levita said.

"We always tell our customers never to share online banking passwords or any personal identification numbers with anyone."

Levita said the bank is investigating the e-mails to determine their source. She said the Canadian banking industry has been aware of similar fraudulent e-mails being circulated via the Internet over the last 18 months.

Levita said she wasn't aware of any Royal clients who had fallen prey to the e-mail fraud, but feared some customers might believe that it was necessary for them to provide the information given the bank's recent computer problems.

A software update last week caused the bank's computers to malfunction, preventing customer accounts from being updated. The error impacted payroll deposits that were scheduled to enter many accounts, leaving customers at risk of missing mortgage, rent and other payments.

"It's likely that someone is trying to take advantage of the recent publicity," Levita said.

She said the bank believes the e-mails started being sent on Wednesday.