See original post here: Holiday Scams in the News (11/23/2009) by Scam Free Internet

Holiday season is here. No doubt, many of you will start shopping for gifts for loved ones and yourself. There are many deals to be had, many stores to visit online and offline.

I’ve already put together a Holiday Shopping Tips list. Everybody will give you advices regarding holiday shopping, and some of those are listed below.

• Online Shopping Tips from ESET
• The Twelve Scams of Christmas from McAfee
  
  1. Charity Phishing Scams – Be Careful Who You Give To
  2. Fake Invoices from Delivery Services to Steal Your Money
  3. Social Networking – A Cybercriminal “Wants to be Your Friend”
  4. The Dangers of Holiday E-Cards
  5. “Luxury” Holiday Jewelry Comes at a High Price
  6. Practice Safe Holiday Shopping – Online Identity Theft on the Rise
  7. Christmas Carol Lyrics Can Be Dangerous – Risky Holiday Searches
  8. Out of Work – Job-Related E-mail Scams
  9. Outbidding for Crime – Auction Site Fraud
  10. Password Stealing Scams
  11. E-Mail Banking Scams
  12. Your Files for Ransom – Ransomware Scams

  For the full descriptions of each scam and corresponding advices, visit here.

• Six Ways to Save Money This Holiday Season from BBB
  
  1. Create a budget and stick to it
  2. Trim the gift giving list
  3. Do it yourself
  4. Forgo the little things
  5. Be a savvy consumer
  6. Trim energy consumsion
• Don’t Fall Prey to Identity Thieves over the Holidays
• Don’t Get Ripped Off Buying Electronics Online

Well, that’s that. Safe and happy shopping everyone!

See original post here: Scams in the News (11/16/2009) – Just a Couple by Scam Free Internet

Models: Beware of Internet Scams

Modelling ‘scams’ are everywhere, and due to the easily anonymous nature of the internet it’s a scam artist’s perfect place to start! Here are a few tips on what you should be wary of if you’re searching for a modelling agency on the web.

Anyone can make their own website, and one of the major problems is that they could easily lie about who they are and their intentions. The direct goal of modelling ‘scams’ artists will be to take someone’s money without providing any service for them. It’s common for showcase agencies to set up a company website and then close after a few months’ ‘work’, taking hopeful models’ money and then starting up under a new name soon after. [...]

Read full article…

Watch out for this recruitment scam!

If you’re looking for a job at the moment, it’s no easy task. Figures out this week show that unemployment now stands at 2.46 million.

So it’s no wonder that many jobseekers, graduates in particular, are turning to the internet in order to find work. But while there are many genuine and useful job sites out there, there are also scamsters looking to make money out of desperate jobhunters.

So what should you watch out for? [...]

Read full article…

See original post here: Scams in the News (11/09/2009) – Bill Would Force ISPs To Block Scams by Scam Free Internet

Are You Getting Scammed by Facebook Games?

- Facebook games — Mafia Wars, FarmVille, Restaurant City — have become surprisingly effective at diverting time wasters among the social-networking crowd. More than 63 million people alone play FarmVille. But now accusations have surfaced that the games can lead some more gullible players, including children, into Internet scams, especially if they have a cell phone.

Facebook To Increase Enforcement Of Anti-Scam Rules

- Facebook published a long blog post today about their enforcement efforts around app advertising and offer scams. And while they didn’t mention all the negative press that has hit them this week, that’s the reason for the new communication. Facebook says that deceptive ads are a widespread problem on the Web (which is true), and they say they’ve been fighting these scams for some time (which is also true, albeit a little slowly sometimes). They point to their updated policies on third party ads on the Facebook platform from July, which are aggressively pro-user but have rarely been enforced. They also note that they have disabled two ad networks since then, and are disabling two more now.

Bill Would Force ISPs To Block Financial Scams

- For the last decade or so, Internet service providers have been dealing with requests to block access to pornographic or copyright-infringing Web sites, or in China, ones that dare to criticize the government. Now a U.S. House of Representatives bill is taking the unusual step of requiring Internet providers to block access to online financial scams that fraudulently invoke the Securities Investor Protection Corporation–or face fines and federal court injunctions. The House Financial Services Committee approved the legislation on Wednesday by a 41 to 28 vote.

Any Internet service provider that, on or through a system or network controlled or operated by the Internet service provider, transmits, routes, provides connections for, or stores any material containing any misrepresentation (of the SIPC) shall be liable for any damages caused thereby, including damages suffered by the SIPC, if the Internet service provider…is aware of facts or circumstances from which it is apparent that the material contains a misrepresentation.

From Karl Bode on DSLReports.com: That wording is so broad it could be extended to include illegitimate scam references contained in e-mail or other transmissions like VoIP, something that obviously worries carriers. It looks like that language is already in the process of being removed or modified. It seems unlikely that this bill makes it very far given the muscle most of the major broadband providers have on K Street.

See original post here: Wish Bell Gets the Same Treatment – Scams in the News (11/02/2009) by Scam Free Internet

In the Spot Light:

NJ telemarketer admits role in big Internet scam – A former telemarketing company official admitted Friday that he scammed small businesses out of millions of dollars by duping them into paying for Internet services without their consent. Neal Saferstein, 36, of Mount Laurel, N.J., pleaded guilty Friday to mail fraud and tax-evasion charges. His company, GoInternet, defrauded up to 400,000 small businesses and individuals out of as much as $75 million from 2001 to 2004, prosecutors said. They tricked customers into receiving information packets that triggered charges of about $30 a month unless the recipient canceled the service.

Wow. This sounds exactly like what Bell Canada is doing here in Canada. They would sign you up to their service without your consent. Now I know how profitable this is. I only hope that Bell gets the similar punishment. But I doubt that will ever happen. If you live is Canada and have been paying attention to the anti-competitive behaviour exhibited by Bell, you know what I’m talking about.

More News:

Woman Loses $6,800 on Craigslist – Valerie Cadena wanted to buy a 2006 Lexus IS 350 for sale on Craigslist for $6,600.”I was looking for a car and it looked so nice,” Cadena said. “And I thought, ‘If I don’t do it right now I’ll regret it.’” “I want them to go to jail or do something,” said Cadena, who hopes to get her money back.

I’m betting she’s a teenager.

Warning to Korean Living in Brisbane – Members of Brisbane’s growing Korean community are being warned to remain vigilant against an online cash scam that targets them specifically. Queensland Police have issued the warning after numerous complaints from Koreans living in the state. “The scam involves a currency exchange service which is offered via the internet through Korean-based websites and other community media,” Acting Detective Superintendent Ainsworth said. The scam, which has particularly affected international students and those on working visas, offers risk-free currency exchange by depositing money prior to debiting the victims account. Once the victim’s funds have been electronically transferred into the offender’s account the initial deposit will be dishonoured or withdrawn.

Couple Blows Whistle Over Money Scam – People responding to a job offer have been unwittingly caught up in an international money scam. The rip-off involves getting applicants to cash fraudulent traveller’s cheques, which have been sent from overseas, at banks in New Zealand.  Though different, Seogalaxy.net article resembles this case.

Yet Another Dating Scam: Disabled woman conned out of £45k by Internet conman – A housebound widow has been left penniless after she was swindled out of her lifesavings by a con man she fell in love with over the Internet. The 52-year-old, from the East Riding, who was too ashamed to be identified, sent £45,000 to a man she thought was her new partner, to help him move from America so he could come and live with her and her two children. He had spent months chatting to the woman, who is registered disabled, over e-mail, after they met on legitimate website Dating Direct. He told her he was in the US Army and even requested her 10-year-old daughter call him dad.

“Now not only have I got to deal with the loss of the money, it’s almost like someone has died because I had this relationship with someone who turned out not to exist.”

See original post here: Scams in the News (10/30/2009) – Facebook Wins $711M, Man Loses His Pants in a Scam by Scam Free Internet

Facebook Wins Spam Lawsuit Against “Spamford” Wallace – Facebook was awarded $711 million in damages by a judge in San Jose, California, yesterday in the social network’s lawsuit against Sanford “Spamford” Wallace, who may also face criminal charges for violating a restraining order. Wallace, a self-proclaimed “spam king” who broke into Facebook user accounts to spread spam Wall posts and messages, was sued by Facebook in February along with two others for violations of the CAN-SPAM Act.

Hopefully, this case deters some of the spammers.

Facebook Warns Users About Phishing Scam – I’ve covered this on many times on this blog before. Now these warnings are featured on TV news more and more.

Man Loses Cash, Cell Phone, and His Pants in a Scam – The 32-year-old man used a Web site to arrange a meeting with a woman at about 8:15 p.m. at the Western Holiday Motel, 8929 W. Kellogg. While they were involved in a sexual act, police said, the woman got up and sprayed the victim in the face with an irritant. The victim got up, grabbed his pants and ran out of the motel room, where he was met at the door by a man who punched him. The victim ran out to the motel parking lot, where a friend with a car was waiting for him, police said. The man who punched him followed, and they began fighting over the victim’s pants at the car. The suspect eventually won the struggle, getting away with cash, a cell phone and the man’s pants.

See original post here: Scams in the News (10/19/2009) by Scam Free Internet

We seem to have skipped Fall and gone straight to Winter here in Ontario.

This blog is almost three months old now. Time sure passes by fast, huh? Only thing exciting this time of the year is the start of another NBA season. I’ve been a little busy with other businesses, but didn’t want to skip a Scams in the News article.

Well, the biggest news for the past few days has been the “Balloon Boy” fiasco. It’s no internet scam, but a scam nonetheless. I’m guessing the father really wants to be a TV star.

Okay, so what’s in the news today?

• I see a bunch of articles reporting the scam Tamiflu and H1N1 vaccine sales online. You can read my previous short article on this issue — H1N1 Flu Scams Spreading Online
• Woman narrowly escapes Craigslist Internet scam – A typical advance-fee rental scam. Glad to hear the woman didn’t fall for it. A Penticton woman was close to losing $3,700 in an internet scam last week. After placing an ad on the internet site Craigslist, the woman was contacted about renting the unit. The man inquiring told her he was from overseas and would send her the first and last months rent totaling $1,200.
• Counter-eCrime Coalition Deploys Real-Time Internet Safety Education Program – Good to see more initiatives like these. The AWPG/CUPS Phishing Education Landing Page Program delivers online safety education – free – to consumers who`ve clicked on links in phishing mails by redirecting them away from the URLs of decommissioned phishing websites onward to a page of Internet security and safety instruction hosted by the APWG.
• Credit card details scam hits 40 million victims – More news regarding scarewares. A total of 40 million people have fallen victim to a scam that sometimes allows criminals to get hold of victims’ credit card details, it has been reported.
• Foreign scam group nabbed for alleged electronic card fraud – Police on Monday apprehended three foreign men in downtown Bangkok for alleged debit card forgery. The suspected trio were identified as Sivapriyan Sivapakiyarajah, a Canadian national, and Ajaphan Balendran and Venkadeswaran Maheswaran, both Sri Lankan nationals, according to the police Crime Suppression Division. The suspects were detained near a hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 4 while they were walking to their vehicle. They were carrying 104 electronic cards, a magnetic card-strip reader and two laptop computers.

See original post here: Scams in the News (10/12/2009) – Twitter Bans F-Secure Guy by Scam Free Internet

Here in Canada, it’s Thanksgiving Holiday. So, happy Thanksgiving to you all!

I tried to find some news that was Thanksgiving and internet scam related, but I couldn’t find any… other than this article on holiday safety tips, hehe.

• Five Scams and Threats to Avoid This Holiday Season

So, what’s in the news? Let’s get started.

• Twitter bans F-Secure’s Chief Research Officer – For warning his followers NOT to visit a phishing scam site. Apparently, he posted the message two months ago. Twitter has problems. They wrongfully banned the good guy and it took two months to ban a user for spreading a malware link. He is now unbanned.
• Banks report 70 percent of phishing attacks hosted offshore – From Australia. Former Soviet republics responsible for most scams, not Nigeria.
• Tips to avoid being taken in by scam ticket websites – With growing number of online ticket frauds, this article should help you to be on the lookout.
• Twitter Becoming A Jungle For Online Predators! – Yeah. Tell us something we don’t already know.

See original post here: Scams in the News (10/05/2009) by Scam Free Internet

I read a very sad story today.

Internet scam victim was killed by a train. It looks like the 38-year old was over-burdened with dept he incurred due to an internet scam and took his own life. He had made 14 transfers to Nigeria totaling £27,500. It is very sad.

Also in the news, 10,000 Hotmail passwords mysteriously leaked to web – Login credentials for more than 10,000 Microsoft Live accounts have been posted to the internet, most likely by miscreants who found them or harvested them in a phishing attack.

In all, there were 10,028 pairs of user names and passwords posted to multiple pages of public upload website Pastebin.com, some of which remained live at time of writing. The stash is likely only a small sample of a much larger haul, since the alphabetical list begins with the user name ararat973@hoymail.com and concludes with blando2713@hotmail.com.

It would be wise to change your Hotmail password if you suspect anything.

See original post here: Scams in the News (9/29/2009) by Scam Free Internet

Scams in the news articles are usually for Mondays, but surprisingly there weren’t any internet scam news worthy of reporting. Plus, yesterday’s MLM article took a long time to write, so please do check it out if you are interested.

Here are the most news-worthy stories on the net today.

• New IRS Email Scam Could be Costly – The Department of Homeland Security’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team is warning Internet users to be on guard against a convincing e-mail virus scam disguised as a message from auditors at the Internal Revenue Service. According to one victim interviewed by Security Fix, falling for the ruse could cost you or your employer tens of thousand of dollars.
• Web ads endorsed by newspapers likely a scam – We’ve all seen this time and time again. Scam make-money opportunities that use fake newspaper articles to promote their business. “I get paid about $25 for every link I post on Google and I get paid every week,” the story said. “I make around $10,500 a month right now.” – That kind of BS. In fact, as I’ve mentioned so many times before, don’t trust any websites with, “as seen on…” or “as reported by…”. They’re all lies.
• Swanson warns unemployed to be on guard against job scams – The title speaks for itself. Don’t fall for employment scams online or offline. The link has some good tips for job seekers to avoid scams. Visit our Make-Money-Scams category for tips.
• Latest online fraud craze targets students and foreign tourists – The fraudsters have been taking advantage of the surge in students looking to move into rented properties as the new university year begins, by offering properties that don’t exist or are owned by someone else then demanding a full deposit, or in some cases rent payment, upfront. For many students this year is the first time they have had to deal with renting a property, making them vulnerable targets for this type of fraud.
• Twitter remains most favorable place for cyber attacks – Security researchers report that Twitter is increasingly hit with the different kind of scam which makes it harder for people to communicate with each other as malicious messages are sent even through the legal accounts. According to the reports last week a number of attacks were launched by means of tried-and-true e-mail spamming techniques. It seems things are getting worse in the Twitter world. Be careful because those micro-blogs can hurt you.

See original post here: Scams in the News (9/21/2009) – Top 5 Facebook Scams by Scam Free Internet

Top 5 Facebook Scams

1. Friendly 419 – 419 scams have made their way to Facebook, too, of course. This is the type of scam we reported before where the scammer hijacks a Facebook account, then masquerades as the account holder to contact the friends and family and asks for emergency money to be sent overseas where they are detained or robbed. (1, 2)
2. Hidden fee apps – Leanne Saylor fell prey to scammers after taking an IQ quiz on the service. To receive her results, she was required to submit her cell phone number and wait for a text. When she didn’t receive anything, Saylor entered her phone number two more times. When she opened her next cell phone bill, she discovered three charges from the app, totaling a whopping $44.
3. Fake login pages – If you’ve opened a spam email, clicked on the fake Facebook login link, and typed in your email and password, you’ve just given the control of your account over to a hacker who will use your account to carry out scams listed here.
4. Malware links – The link may have come from your friend, but it doesn’t mean it’s safe. Your friend’s account has been compromised. These malwares can do lots of harm from stealing your credit card information to infecting your computer with a nasty virus.
5. Malware Facebook apps – Some Facebook apps themselves are malwares, so be careful.

SOURCE

Also in the news:

• A woman took part in an Internet banking scam in a bid to prop up her ailing business
• Some hardcore Cowboys fans were scammed out of a whole lot of money and left with no tickets
• Couple who once posted baby on Craigslist charged with fraud
• Tickets to see Oprah and a chance to win $1 million?
• Online plea for help to find little girl’s father nothing more than marketing scam