Internet scams come in a variety of forms. Many scams fall in a category called Phishing. The term Phishing comes from techies who like to replace the letter 'f' with 'ph.' So, the term applies to criminals who are 'phishing' for your private information, to steal your credit card, bank information, or your identity. Keep in mind all scams can be perpetrated over the Internet or through text messaging over your cellular telephone. Remember no legitimate company, business, or the government will ever contact you and request personal information over the Internet or cell phone. Every year unsuspecting and often good hearted victims are scammed out of millions of dollars. Some most common scams are listed below.
The “Bank Scam” in which the victim receives an e-mail or text message from what appears to be their bank. Usually this message indicates your account has been compromised and the bank needs personal or account information to verify you’re the true account holder or to verify and secure your account.
In the “Credit Card Scam” the targeted victim will usually receive a message that their credit card has just been charged a specific amount of money often for an unsavory purchase such as child pornography or is involved in money laundering. This can also be used in the bank scam. The messages will ask the victim to confirm the transaction and if the transaction is not authorized complete a form that includes your credit card number and expiration date. Once the scammer receives this information they will make illegal purchases with your credit card often maximizing the credit limit within minutes.
“Need Help Hiding Money From a Corrupt Government”. In this scam a citizen of a foreign country is trying to hide family assets from a corrupt government. They are requesting your help to hide the money in your bank account for which they will pay you a fee. The scammer wants your bank information to transfer the money to your account. Instead the scammer will steal money from your account.
“Inheritance Scam” This scam comes in a variety of forms but usually centers around a very wealthy person dyeing in a foreign country. The deceased person knew of the victim’s generosity or good nature and in their will authorized a substantial sum of money be awarded the victim. The e-mail or text usually appears to come from an attorney handling the estate for the deceased person. The scammer eventually needs the victim’s bank account information or up-front money to handle the transaction.
“Foreign Shipper Scam” Scammers in this scam target people who are selling items over the Internet in a variety of sites. The scammer will usually offer the seller full price for their item which ranges from cars to animals or anything else being sold. The scammer will tell the seller they are in another country, often in Europe, and they make lots of purchases. The seller has an agent in the United States that handles the shipping of the merchandise so the buyer will send the seller a cashier’s check for the amount of the sale plus an extra amount to be paid to the shipper. The buyer asked the seller to send the shipper the extra money, usually via Western Union, then the shipper will make arrangements for getting the items. Often the buyer will even give the seller a little extra money for their added effort. The cashier’s check is a fake and the target is out the money they send to the shipper. The Money transfer can actually be picked up anywhere around the globe no matter where the sender designated the shipper to receive it.
“Re-Shipper” In this scam the target is usually contacted over the Internet in a chat room or employment wanted site. The scammer will tell the target they are an international business that makes lots of purchases in the United States. In order to avoid taxes, or some other scheme, in their country they want to send the merchandise to the target and the target will re-box the merchandise and re-ship it to the scammer overseas or to an affiliate in the United States. The scammer will employ or pay the target for this service and may even refer to them as a shipping agent. The merchandise shipped to the target is all stolen property usually purchased with stolen credit cards. Additionally the scammer seldom pays the target anything. Technically the victim involved in this scam has also committed a criminal act by reshipping the stolen merchandise.
“Friend is in Jail or Needs help” In this scam the victim or target receives a message that a friend or family member of theirs is either in jail and needs bond money or their vehicle has broken down in a remote area and they need money. The scammer indicates they are trying to help the victim’s friend or family member and the person needing help has asked them to contact you. Of course when the victim sends the money the scammer takes it. Usually in this scam the scammer actually has the name of your friend or family member.
“Government Fraud” This scam comes in a large variety of forms. It can be the police have identified you as involved in money laundering, the FBI has identified you as a terrorist, the IRS is after you for back taxes, or you have failed to appear in court and a warrant is out for your arrest. In each of these scams the e-mail or text message advises that if this is a mistake the sender of the message needs you to confirm your name, date of birth, and social security number to clear this matter up. Once you send the information the scammer obtains credit cards in your name and ruins your credit.
“Dating Site Fraud” Several scams involve men posing on dating sites. Once they contact a prospective victim they will be real charmers. The scammer will eventually tell the victim they are trying to help a orphaned child, a destitute family, or some other sad story to get the victim to send them money. Occasionally the scammer will simply ask the victim for money to come see them.
How to avoid being a victim of Internet scams. Never immediately respond to a message similar to those above. Remember no legitimate company or government agency contacts anyone over the Internet or text message and requests personal information. Be leery of schemes or money making opportunities that seem too good to be true. Contact your bank before sending any money or giving bank information to anyone. Most banks are aware of current scams. If approached by a scammer, contact your local police or law enforcement agency.