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Alert!

Internet Fraud is on the Rise

Beware:

According to the Internet Fraud Watch, operated by the National Consumers League in the United States, complaints have increased 600 percent since 1997. One of the main culprits is unsolicited commercial e-mail, more commonly called spam. Not all bulk e-mail is fraudulent, but a high percentage of it is. Consumers need to be extremely cautious if they decide to reply to these solicitations which come in a variety of forms. One example of a deceptive scheme using junk e-mail is a combination of spamming and telecommunication fraud. A message is sent via e-mail advising the recipient that an expensive order will be billed to his/her credit card. To cancel the order, which incidently has never been placed, the cardholder must call the number on the screen immediately. It is only some time later that their telephone bill will be charged for making the international call.

Be Wise:

Report spamming to your online or Internet service provider.

Understand the offer and take your time to decide. Look carefully at the information, and ask for more, if needed. A legitimate company will be glad to provide it, whereas a fraudulent marketer won't.

Be careful to whom you give personal and financial information. Even with partial information, con artists can make unauthorized charges or withdrawals.

Remember that in cyberspace things may not what they seem. Do not judge reliability on how nice or flashy a website may seem.

Call the Internet Fraud Watch hotline to report a possible scam or to get advice about an Internet or online solicitation.