Spam, Scams, and Niger-i-ans

SPAM-

Spam is the scourge of the email world. It was estimated in early 2007 that spam emails numbered about 90 billion per day. That's about 80-85% of all email. That's impressive. Spam clogs up inboxes and storage space alike.

Spammers normally get their addresses from huge list brokers. This list brokers get their information from published directory information or spam if from public sites where your email is posted.

What can you do to protect yourself from spam?

1) Get a filter on your inbox or a junk mail feature. This comes standard with most email providers. The filter should have varying levels. Set it to high if you're really having trouble with spam. With the "high" setting on my inbox, I only receive emails to my inbox from people on my contact list. Of course this means I have to filter through my junk mail every few days to make sure I'm not missing something important, but I still prefer it because only my most important mail gets to my inbox.

2) Don't give away your personal information to anyone you don't have to. These email brokers get their information because you make it available. Bottom line. Be more cautious about what companies you give your email to, and opt out of your information being sold if there is an option.

3) Don't open spam. It confirms that the email address exists and that someone opened it. For a seasoned spammer, this means to send you more of that type of spam (with the same or similar headers).

4) Don't post your email address to public sites. Use an anonymous user name or a specific email for public sites.

5) Don't even think about purchasing from a spam e-mail. You're reinforcing their behavior. Also, it's very possible it is a scam. Which brings us to our next topic....

Random interesting fact: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states that 86% of the e-mail addresses that are posted to web pages and newsgroups receive spam. For email addresses posted to message boards, 27% receive spam.

SCAMS–

Of the Top 10 internet scams of 2006, email was the most prevalent method of contact in: phishing (100%), Nigerian money offers (100%), fake check scams (99%), prizes/sweepstakes (93%), and lotteries/lottery clubs (89%). (source)

Phishing is a type of social engineering where the scammer sends an email under the false identity of a legitimate business (e.g. a credit card company, credit union, or bank) with a request for the customer to "update" or "verify" their account information. Linking web pages and company logos are faked. Phishing scammers are currently using a lot of eBay or PayPal scams because of their popularity.

Phishing scammers may also come in the form of popup windows that request account or personal information. These windows may popup while your internet browser window is open.

Two important questions to ask yourself anytime someone asks for your information online:

1) Did I initiate this contact? You are most secure when you initiate the contact. If a popup or financial request is timely and in direct response to a pertinent click or request of yours, then this almost always safe.

2) Is this request in timely response to my contact? If you recently conducted business or applied for something from a company, then it is also probable that it is legitimate. Still: don't put financial or personal information in emails or popup windows. Use the phone number on your previous financial statements (cross check with provided phone number if given), and confirm the request and web address.

Some other things to keep in mind:

Do not trust domain names, they can be "masked" or manipulated. Look for what information they provide on your account, if they don't provide anything and are asking you to provide personal information, be warned.
In any transaction over the internet, you should be able to INDEPENDENTLY confirm the other party's name, address, and phone number.
Never, Never, Never reply to email or pop-up windows that ask for personal or financial information. Just don't do it.
Be extremely cautious about opening any attachments or download files unless you initiate the contact with the company.
Use anti-malware on your computer and keep it updated, because if you have accidentally downloaded malware, the sooner you know, the better.
Review your monthly credit card, credit union, and/or bank account statements for unauthorized charges. Resolve questions or uncertain charges as soon as possible. Report problems to the major credit bureaus as soon as possible.
Forward all attempts at phishing to spam@uce.gov and reportphishing@antiphishing.org. These groups are basically phishing and scam watchdogs.
If you realize that you have been scammed, there is a good chance your identity may be stolen. Report it at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

NIGERIAN SCAMS-

Nigerian scams are a well-established category of scams where a person claims to be the representative of some deposed leader in Nigeria (or any developing nation country). The scammer eventually goes on to state that they would need your help and will pay you for it: then need a bank account to keep some of their money in....

Once they get your account information, or your money, you will probably lose a lot of money.

Some scammers even forward you a small amount of money to prove their sincerity. Some scammers email you pictures of money stacks that could be yours if you help (it tends to be money wrapped around blocks of wood or paper reams).

These emails are ALWAYS from crooks who want your money or identity. The U.S. State Department has reported that people who have responded to these solicitations have been cheated, extorted, threatened, beaten, and even murdered.

If you have responded to a Nigerian Scam, you should probably contact your regional Secret Service office at www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml. Their contact information should also be in the blue pages of your phone book or their main office number is 202-406-5708.

Fake check scams

If someone you don't know wants to OVER-PAY you by check for a product/service you are selling or in a Nigerian-esque scheme, but wants you to wire some of the money back, beware! It's most certainly a scam that could cost you a lot of money.

There are many variations of the fake check scam. It could start with someone offering to buy something you advertised, pay you to do work at home, give you an "advance" on a sweepstakes you've supposedly won, or pay the first installment on the millions that you'll receive for agreeing to have money in a foreign country transferred to your bank account for safekeeping. Whatever the pitch, the person will sound quite believable.

Work at home scams:

Know who you're dealing with. The company may not be offering to employ you directly, only to sell you training materials and to find customers for your work.

Don't believe that you can make big profits easily. Operating a home-based business is just like any other business – it requires hard work, skill, good products or services, and time to make a profit.

Lottery/Lottery Clubs Scams / Prizes / Sweepstakes:

Never pay to play. It's illegal for a company to require you to buy something or pay a fee in order to win or claim a prize.

Buying something doesn't improve your chances of winning. It's illegal for a company to even suggest that your chances will be better if you make a purchase.

Don't believe that you have to give the company money for taxes on your prize. It's up to you to declare your prize winnings when you file your income taxes.

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