Internet fraud becoming more sophisticated

Internet fraud becoming more sophisticated

Reports show that scammers are becoming more sophisticated in tricking people into giving them account names and passwords. The latest scams have used 'secure sites' (showing a padlock) to give you a false sense of security; others have even installed software that might take control of your computer if you click on a particular link.

These scams usually start by sending you an email out of the blue with some story about why you have to reply.

No financial institution - bank, eBay, PayPal, Visa - will ever send you an email asking you to renew your password or to verify/update your account. Microsoft also never sends updates via email.

Looks genuine doesn't it - it's a fake.

If you ever receive emails like these, they are fakes - DELETE them.

Also, let me make a few other facts of life clear:

1. Electronic lottery notifications are always fake.
2. Offers to pay you large amounts of money for working at home.
3. Offers to help move money from Nigeria are known as 419 frauds.
4. Offers to help in some kind of import/export deal are frauds.
5. Anything that promises money for little or no work is a lie. The only people who make huge profits for little or no work are criminals, politicians, oil company and pharmaceutical executives.

These are all known as "phishing" scams - the use of email, to lure computer users to click a link which will then take them to look-alike websites, where they are deceived into revealing personal financial data.

Protect yourself with these simple tips

1 - First, stay calm.
It's natural to be alarmed by an email claiming your account has been frozen or your credit card information has been stolen. Resist your first impulse to reply. Never follow the instructions in the email.

2 - Legitimate companies never ask for your account details or your passwords by email.
If you receive this kind of email, it's almost certainly a scam.

3 - Go to the official website of your financial institution using your 'favourites' or by typing its URL in the address bar of your web browser.
Never click any hyperlink in an email. The hyperlink only leads to trouble.
If there is a real problem, the genuine website will almost certainly tell you on its home page. You will not have to fix it by emailing confidential information.

4 - If you're still uncertain, email or phone the company's customer support department, and ask them to confirm the email's authenticity.
They will then tell you what to do next.

More information about Fraudulent emails

Internet Fraud Complaint Centres

FIDO - Australia

IC3 - USA