Frauds and Scams
Internet Safety

Most Popular Scams, Frauds and Threats

There are thousands of scams and frauds floating around the Internet these days. Some are old, some are new variations of old scams, and some are brand new. If you don't know where to go or who to ask, you could find yourself forwarding inaccurate or even dangerous information to family and friends, or even accidentally downloading a virus than can cripple your computer.

To help you avoid the dangers of these scams and frauds, we will post the most common and most dangerous titles here and in our FAQ section so you can check to see if you are a target. Tell your family and friends about this service and have them bookmark this page so they too can be protected.

If you have recently received a fraud, scam, or suspicious email message, forward it to us to check and post so others are aware. Send it to scambuster@byteslaves.com

Area Code Phone Scams

This long distance phone scam causes consumers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills. Consumers usually receive a message requesting them to call a phone number with an 809, 284 or 876 area code concerning an important matter.  These will often included placing a call in order to collect a prize, find out information about a sick relative, or receive information about an important legal matter. The caller assumes the number is a typical three-digit U.S. area code; however, the caller is actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, and charged international call rates,which cam run as high as $25 per minute. Unfortunately, consumers don't find out that they have been charged the higher call rates until they receive their bill. Phone companies are unlikely to refund your money because (a) you made the call, and (b) the phone company is still on the hook for the call.

Voice Phishing, or "Vishing"

Heres an excerpt from a newsletter I get from cNet: "...vishing is an electronic fraud tactic where unsuspecting people are called or left a message in one form or another, using an automated process (voice recording) stating that your financial account has been possibly compromised and your verification is needed to ensure it hasn't been compromised. What usually follows the message is a prompt requesting you to enter personal information (credit card information, PIN, Social Security number, etc.). Or if it is left as a message on your answering machine, it leaves a number for you to call back and once you call back, it will prompt you to enter your information. Either way, if you do enter that information (and I hope no one does), before you know it, someone out there has your personal information and is probably laughing all the way to the bank. These scam tactics come in all shapes and sizes; the bottom line is that they're out to get your personal information--if you allow them to!

Read the full article

E-mail From The IRS

This latest scam looks official. The message says you're due a refund. All you have to do is provide the information for your credit card or bank account. Some of these messages dig even deeper to get other personal information such as social security numbers and mother's maiden name. If you think about it, the IRS probably knows most of your personal information - you have to include it on your return every year. The IRS also says it currently sends all of its correspondence the old-fashioned way - via snail mail. Whenever you get an email that claims to be from a government agency, it's always a good idea to call that agency and ask about it before providing ANY personal information.

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Login Information For a Web Site

The newest scam we've seen involves an email that refers to what appears to be a hobby-related Web page (Dog Lovers, Web Cooking, etc.). The email contains a a user name and password. If you click on the Web link (which is just numbers with no name) you go to a Web page that encourages you to download an application that will allow you to log in. This application is, of course, a virus. This scam reinforces the notion that if you don't remember signing up for something, don't open the email/website/attachment.

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 You've Received a Greeting Card!

This is a hot one now. There are a lot of variations, but here's the title of the latest one I've received: You've received a postcard from a Worshipper! It is supposedly from GreetingCard.org , but if you go to the Greeting Card.com Web site (not the link in the message) you'll see they have a warning up about scams coming from the site. Notice that the return address is xoc@ntv.com.tr. Not exactly a fit for greetingcard.org. The body of the message contains a link for you to view your card. Notice again that the link doesn't mention the site that is supposedly providing the card. If you click the link, you end up downloading an executable file that contains a virus.

How do you tell if the supposed greeting card is real or a fraud?

  •  A legitimate card will contain the name of the person who sent it
  •  The email address that sent the message will match the site it's from (i.e. hallmark.com)
  •  The link to the file will also be tied to the site name
  •  If you feel this is a legitimate card, you will never be asked to download an executable (.exe) file*
* You may be asked to update your Flash or Shockwave files, but if you are at all unsure, simply do not open the file.

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Cheap or OEM Software

We get several emails a day offering discounted or OEM software. The claim is that you get the low prices because there are no boxes, manuals, etc. included. Often times you get copied disks with no key codes or key codes that have been copied from one legitimate copy of the software and given out to hundreds or even thousands of other purchasers. Legitimate OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) software is for businesses that build computers and load the software onto new systems as a value-added option for consumers. OEM software cannot be legally sold as a stand-alone product. So even if the copy you purchase comes with a legitimate serial number it is still illegal for you to purchase and install it.

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Pharmaceuticals, Vitamins, etc.

The only thing we can say about this is we can't imagine buying prescription drugs, human growth hormones or anything else that might directly impact our health from someone using mass e-mail marketing. These on-line pharmacies generally don't even have access to the vitamins or medicines they claim to be selling. You may end up getting placebos, junk, or even poison. There are many reputable on-line pharmacies. But they do not advertise via mass e-mail.

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Stock Market Tips

Another favorite scam is stock market tips. The stocks being praised are almost always legitimate stocks. However, the company behind them is often times a dummy company set up just for this scam. The idea behind this scam is to artificially drive up the p rice of a stock by generating a lot of trading. This trading is generated by sending out millions of announcements about a "sure thing" that's soon going to double, triple or more in value. If a lot of people invest a few dollars in the stock, it does go up in value. The instigator(s) of the scam sell off thousands of shares at a tidy profit and the stock drops back to next to nothing and the company folds. Sure, you might luck out. But you might win the lottery, too. At least that investment goes to a worthy cause. Bottom line, think about why anyone would want to advertise such a great "deal" to the tens of thousands of people the tip is sent to?

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BBB Issues International Alert: BBB Name Used to Scam Online

Better Business Bureaus have issued an international alert to warn about individuals misusing the BBB and BBB online trademarks to extort money from online shoppers seeking to purchase automobiles. The BBB received an inquiry from an online shopper who was searching for an automobile on cars.com. The shopper was sent an invoice by e-mail from someone posing as an escrow service that displayed a cars.com and BBB online banner and listed several other BBB sites. The fraudulent e-mail invoice contains claims that the Better Business Bureau and cars.com are trusted, neutral third parties

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Prize Pitch ( Lottery )

The classic prize pitch scam involves victims receiving notification by post, phone, or e-mail indicating they have won a prize (monetary or other valued item).However, in order to collect the prize the victim is required to pay various fees or taxes in advance. Victims either never hear from the organization again or receive further requests for money. If you have won a prize in Canada there are no fees or taxes to be paid.

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