| The top five online scams on the Internet hit nearly ten | | | | supply. You receive goods and reship them to another |
| million people last year according to an FBI report in | | | | country. You receive wire transfers into your bank |
| December 2004. That figure doubled from 2003 to | | | | account and you transfer money into their offshore |
| 2004 and people are continuing to fall for these email | | | | account. In return you get to keep a percentage of |
| and identity theft scams. | | | | everything. But with this scam you are taking a big risk |
| These con artists and hackers are just waiting to | | | | because you could get arrested for participating in |
| commit online fraud and steal your identity. Look | | | | moving stolen property and transferring stolen funds. |
| carefully at these top five online scams and be aware | | | | Scam # 5 Congratulations You've Won Scam |
| of what is going on so you won't become a victim. | | | | This email tells you have won a nice prize like a |
| Scam # 1 Online Auction Scam | | | | plasma TV, a new computer or even the lottery. All |
| You buy something on an online auction, send them | | | | you have to do to claim your prize is go to this web |
| the money and get nothing in return. Or the product | | | | address and pay for the shipping and handling with |
| you get is a fake or a cheap knockoff instead of the | | | | your credit card. In the case of winning the lottery they |
| genuine brand name item. This is a risk you take when | | | | need advanced fees to cover legal costs. Not only do |
| buying from an online auction. | | | | you never get the prize but you start getting |
| Scam # 2 Phishing Scam | | | | mysterious charges on your credit card. |
| The phishing definition is when a fraudster spams the | | | | So what's the best thing to do when you or someone |
| Internet with email claiming to be from a reputable | | | | you know has fallen for one of these scams? Some |
| bank. The email outfitted with authentic bank logos | | | | people are embarrassed and don't want to tell anyone. |
| asks you to log in and verify your account information. | | | | But that's how these thieves get away with these |
| The theif captures your account information from the | | | | things for so long without getting caught. The best way |
| web adress they take you to and drains your account. | | | | to stop these con artists from operating is to report |
| These can also become identity theft scams too | | | | email scams to the authorities. |
| because they can sell your information to other | | | | The best place to report email scams is The Internet |
| criminals. | | | | Fraud Complaint Center or (IFCC). They are a |
| Scam # 3 Nigerian Letter Scam | | | | partnership between the Federal Bureau of |
| These email scams usually start out with all capital | | | | Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime |
| letters and begins with: DEAR SIR/MADAM. The email | | | | Center (NW3C). Their web address is: |
| goes on to say they are the some minister of | | | | IFCC's mission is to address fraud committed over the |
| something for an African country. He wants you to | | | | Internet. For victims of Internet fraud, IFCC provides a |
| help him get millions of dollars out of the country. You | | | | convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that |
| just need to pay for legal fees and some other | | | | alerts authorities of a suspected criminal or civil |
| advanced fees before the transaction can be finalized. | | | | violation. |
| You would think people would be too smart to fall for | | | | By becoming aware of these top five online scams |
| this. But you would be wrong. | | | | and reporting email scams to the IFCC you can make |
| Scam # 4 Reshipping Scam | | | | the Internet safer for everyone. |
| You are emailed by an offshore corporation that | | | | Copyright © 2005 Spyware All Rights Reserved. |
| needs a U.S. address and bank account which you | | | | |