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Cyber Crime is Big Business
You can protect yourself against scams
What about those annoying hoaxes?
Use the Web wisely

It's an unfortunate fact of life: if you have an email address you're a target for Internet scams and hoaxes.  From dubious online auctions and pyramid schemes to annoying chain-letters and offers for "free" theme park vacations, email boxes world wide are barraged daily with illegal deals and annoying junk.

While the Internet does offer companies, charities and individuals an excellent venue to conduct business and exchange information, it also attracts unscrupulous operators looking for a quick buck.  With all the activity, even the savviest consumer can find it difficult to figure out what's legitimate and what's a scam or a hoax.

Cyber Crime is Big Business

According to the FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC), close to 50,000 people lost almost $18 million in reported Internet scams during 2001, resulting in an average loss of $435 (per complaint.  It's important to note that these figures are for reported crimes).  The FBI believes the numbers are significantly higher because many cyber crimes are never reported.  The most reported offense by far was Internet auction fraud, followed by general merchandise fraud, and Nigerian money offers.

You can protect yourself against scams

The very old adage "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" applies to Internet fraud and hoaxes in a big way.  Although no one believes that they will fall prey to a scam, it is easy to let your guard down.  To help protect yourself you must be vigilant, patient and willing to seek out information.  Skepticism can be your best defense. 

Here are suggestions compiled from the FBI and the Nation Consumers League to avoid being an Internet crime victim:

Know who you're dealing with - if the organization is new to you, check with the Better Business Bureau, your local consumer protection agency or state Attorney General's Office.  You can reach the BBB at www.bbb.org for information on businesses and charities.

Be aware of impostors - con artists will frequently use a company or organization name that is very similar to a legitimate group's mane.  Check the exact name with the BBB or contact the legitimate organization and ask if they are making this type of offer or request.

Be extremely cautious about unsolicited emails - many, if not most, are scams.  The best way to deal with unsolicited emails is simply to delete them.  By responding to unknown senders, you verify that your address is working and end up getting even more emails.

Never believe promises of easy money - you simply can't get rich with little or no work and there is no such thing as a risk-free investment that is "guaranteed" to bring big returns.

Understand the offer - a legitimate company or charity will be happy to provide all the de3tails you want including delivery fees, cancellation penalties, warranties and refunds.

Resist pressure - honest organizations will gladly give you time to make a decision.  There should never be a need to "act immediately."

Watch out for contests - if you don't recognize the contest sponsor, be wary.  Fraudulent marketers sometimes use a phony contest entry form as a way to gather personal information and identify potential victims.

Gaud your personal information - Never provide your credit card number or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something specific.  If you did not initiate the transaction, but rather are responding to an email (for a charitable request for example), ask the organization to send you an invoice via regular mail.  Legitimate charities will do this.  Unless you are applying of credit, you Social Security Number and you Driver's License Number should not be necessary to make a purchase or a donation.

Pay the safest way - credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never receive your merchandise or services, or if the offer was misrepresented.  For more information on online shopping visit the National Consumer League's sit at: www.nclnet.org/shoppingonline.

Be aware of dangerous "downloads" - when downloading "free" music, videos or software, you could in fact be accepting a virus that connects you modem to a foreign telephone number resulting in expensive phone charges.  Read all user agreements carefully.

Take your time and think through the offer or the request.  Check the facts.  On the Internet the Latin phrase "caveat emptor" (let the buyer beware) is excellent advice.

What about those annoying hoaxes?

Friends and family often mean well when they send you "reports" of parking lost abductions, missing children, offers for "free" trips to theme parks, stories about celebrities and so on.  But what is real and what is a hoax?  Not all, but much of what circulates via email is urban legend - stories that have taken on a life of their own.  There have never been police reports of anyone actually being knocked out with phony perfume; a tooth left in a glass of cola soft drink will not dissolve overnight; and, there never has been any federal legislation to charge a tax for sending an email.  Yet these stories proliferate and are forwarded on with the click of a mouse.

Before forwarding any story, take a moment to check it out at www.snopes2.com. Called the "Urban Legends Reference Pages," this site offers information on most of the email hoaxes floating around the Internet.  It will tell if a story is true, false or unsubstantiated.  It will also provide information on the sources the site used to validate or disprove the story.  Another good source to check netlore and hoaxes is www.urbanlegends.about.com.

Use the Web wisely

The Internet and the World Wide Web have revolutionized information sharing and commerce.  A tremendous amount of legitimate business is conducted openly, fairly and honestly on the web every day.  Important, vital information is shared and good thins happen because of the interconnectivity.  Use the Internet.  Enjoy the World Wide Web.  Just keep up your safety vigilance and all can be well.

Source: Mailing distributed by ADT Security Services, Inc.

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