FBI warns of Email Scams Seeking Donations for Chinese Quake Victims
The FBI is asking everyone to be wary of bogus asking for donations to help victims of the recent devastating earthquake in China.
Emails like this begin to circulate after every major disaster in an attempt to capitalize on our sympathies and desire to reach out and help those in need. We've seen emails of this kind following 9/11, major hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis, floods and many other tragedies. The emails often claim to be soliciting donations for well known charitable organizations. Sometimes they'll use logos and other graphics to help them appear legitimate. The craftiest scams can look like the real thing to the unwary. The FBI reports that some of the Chinese earthquake email scams are even offering free vacations to the largest donors. That may sound wonderful, but why would a legitimate charity divert much needed funds in such a way? The FBI's press release also includes some helpful tips to detect email scams of this kind.
Everyone should consider the following email tips:
- Don't respond to unsolicited email (AKA SPAM).
- Be wary of individuals representing themselves as officials soliciting via email for donations.
- Don't click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
- Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
- To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to recognized organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
- Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the recognized charity or aid organization's website rather than following an alleged link to the site.
- Attempt to verify the legitimacy of the non-profit status of the organization by using various Internet-based resources, which also may assist in confirming the actual existence of the organization.
- Don't provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and expose you to identity theft.
"Scammers and criminals come forward after many of these tragic events and you should be wary of unsolicited requests for money. People should feel free to make donations, just make sure you know who you are dealing with and where the donations are going. This way you can make sure your money really makes a difference and helps out a needy person, not a greedy criminal," said Special Agent Richard Kolko, Washington, DC.
Read the press release here:
Scam E-Mails Seek Donations to Help Chinese Earthquake Victims
Where to go for the latest information about cyber crimes
To receive the latest information about cyber scams please go to the FBI website and sign up for e-mail alerts by clicking on one of the red envelopes. If you have received a scam e-mail please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov. For more information on e-scams, please visit the FBI's New E-Scams and Warnings webpage.More Helpful FBI Email Scams Links
New E-Scams and WarningsThe Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
