| The Internet is a great place to get information, shop, | | | | become familiar with the criminal enemy and their |
| do business, communicate, etc., but it can also be a | | | | tactics, be vigilant to their presence, and continue to |
| dangerous environment. Internet fraud is very prevalent | | | | enjoy the good parts of the Internet. A great source |
| at this time; millions of Internet users fall victim to acts | | | | for us to get smart on this problem is which was |
| of fraud each year. | | | | developed and is maintained by a joint U.S. federal law |
| Internet fraud crimes fall into several categories: | | | | enforcement and industry task force including the US |
| pharmacy (fake or diluted medicine), identity (use of | | | | Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of |
| your name, address or social security number to take | | | | Investigation, the Internet Crime Complaint Center, the |
| your money), financial (offenses that result in a financial | | | | National White Collar Crime Center, Monster |
| loss), auction (failure to deliver the purchased item), | | | | Worldwide, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, the National |
| sweepstakes/lottery (promotions that require you to | | | | Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance, Target |
| pay to play or to receive your winnings), counterfeit | | | | Corporation, and several others. It's free and it's a |
| payments (fake cashier's checks or money orders), | | | | great tool to educate yourself about Internet fraud so |
| and software piracy (selling unauthorized or fake | | | | that you can avoid becoming a victim. It contains a list |
| software). There are probably more fraudulent | | | | of types of fraud, victim stories, frequently asked |
| schemes being invented at this very moment. | | | | questions and tips, consumer alerts, a teen center, and |
| I wish there was a technology-related solution that | | | | the ability to file a complaint with several authorities. |
| would protect all of us from this onslaught of criminal | | | | You can even take an assessment test that lets you |
| activity, but there's not. Primarily because it's based on | | | | know how much at risk you may be, based on your |
| human interaction…the technology is only the tool | | | | computing and Internet practices. |
| used to commit the crime. According to the Website | | | | This is a very dangerous and complex Internet we use |
| "An interesting point about fraud is that it is a crime in | | | | today. Organized crime groups from all over the world |
| which you decide on whether to participate. Hanging | | | | are trying to take our money through scams such as |
| up the phone or not responding to shady mailings or | | | | the Nigerian banking scheme, pyramid schemes, |
| emails makes it difficult for the scammer to commit | | | | charities fraud, advanced fee scams, debt elimination |
| fraud. But con artists are very persuasive, using all | | | | schemes, job scams, and even romance schemes. |
| types of excuses, explanations, and offers to lead you | | | | We must arm ourselves against this myriad of |
| — and your money — away from common | | | | potential pitfalls by educating ourselves, being aware, |
| sense." | | | | and most of all, using our common sense…if an offer |
| So much for the doom and gloom...now what can we | | | | seems too good to be true, it probably is. |
| do to avoid being a victim of Internet fraud? We must | | | | |