Internet Fraud and Web Scams - How to stay safe
Use our internet safety tips to protect you and your family from internet scams so that you can make purchases online and surf the web without fear
 The internet today is one of the widest reaching forms of media the world has ever seen. Many people feel
safe and anonymous when exchanging emails, chatting on-line, purchasing items and doing research.
All scams that have been done via other mediums over the years can be done even easier because of the
anonymity of the internet. The con artists will use the chat rooms to tout their product, send unsolicited
emails and build web sites to attract you to them. Try to keep aware of these scams and recognize them
for what they are. A little caution will go along way.
Email Scams are a top concern
Unsolicited emails are a top complaint among web users. They are annoying and make it hard to go through
your email without accidently deleting a real message. There is one important fact you need to know about
these email messages: A lot of them are scams. Email scams work very well. That's why there is so much
spam. If it didn't work no one would bother sending them. Some of the more popular email scams are chain
letters, bulk email solicitation, credit repair, guaranteed loans, diet scams, vacation giveaways, investment
opportunites, online dating scams and cable descrambler kits. These are just a few of the email scams that
arrive in mailboxes every day. Responding to unsolicited emails is risky business. Legitimate businesses
don't advertise using this tactic. Find out more: Read all about the worst
email scams referred to as the "Dirty Dozen"
by the FTC.
Nigerian 419 Scams
In this classic scam someone from another country needs your help. They claim to have an extraordinary amount of money that
needs to be transfered to the US. For your trouble, you can keep a hefty percentage of the loot. To get the money into your
account someone needs to be bribed. That's where you come in. Once you send this advance fee
the money will be deposited into your account. At least that's how it's supposed to work. In reality, you'll never see a dime.
Nigerian scams take many forms. The bottom line is that you need to send a little money to get a lot in return. One variation
involves an internet lottery you never knew you entered. Another
is a bid on your online auction for far more than your item is worth. They'll pay with a money order that will be for more
than the agreed on price. They will quickly realize their mistake and ask you to return the extra funds to them. If you decline
the request will trun into demands or threats. They'll want you to pay quickly because their initial payment will turn out to
be a counterfeit money order. These scams are
often easy to spot. Some are more elaborate. Just remember, no one in their right mond sends a stranger a large amount of money
over the internet.
Nigerian Scam Links
Nigerian Email Scams
Nigerian Counterfeit Check Scams
Phishing Scams
Read more about Phishing Scams and find out what you need to know
to keep this scam from damaging your finances or any of your online accounts.
Internet related service scams
You receive an email with a too good to be true offer for internet services such as setting up a web
site or designing graphics and logos for your web site or business. This scam can come in the guise
of many offers but are usually all internet related. Maybe it is an offer to help you with auction
services or ad banners for your web site and more.
You respond to respond to this and pay your fees up front or they will not perform the service. The
scam of course is that you will never receive the service you paid for.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is a scam using emails that look like they're from banks, credit unions or other businesses and ask a computer user for their bank
account number, Social Security number or other personal information. The email is only part of the scheme because once you
click the link in the email to log into your account you wind up at a website that is an exact duplicate of the one you expected
to find. The only exception is that the URL or website address is a little funny although it may look close enough to the real
thing to fool you. It's a relatively simple scam and it works very, very well. People need to be aware of who they are buying
from and what they are buying.
Internet Fraud Links
Internet Fraud - USDOJ
Internet Schemes - FBI
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