Microsoft and EU Settle, Phishing Scams, Busts
Posted using ShareThis
Fae Schrinzi -- jbtarrakl@outlook.com
6 years ago
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Be warned about Google Revolution!
Be warned about Google Revolution! This site is not affiliated with Google and is a big scam.
Because I am always looking for new innovative ideas and trends for our newsroom this one looked interesting. I read about how great Google Revolution was from a column on a large news website.
I visited the site recommended and the information they were offering looked like it might be worth the download charge of $1.88. This is when they got me.
I provided a credit card number for this charge at the end of June and thought everything was fine.
In August I started to receive charges from four web companies all related to Google Revolution.
I called Visa and they said there was nothing I could do about it and to call the companies involved.
I then called the companies listed on my bill and they all said I had agreed to these charges when I downloaded the $1.88 information.
During the call I could hear the background buzz from call operators explaining to others just as shocked as I was. It seemed like the four companies were all operating out of the same call centre.
Can you imagine the money they must be receiving from other innocent victims.
I thought I was pretty savvy about watching out for scams but this one got me good. Hopefully these charges of several hundreds of dollars will not appear on my credit card next month.
Lesson learned.
The above information is reposted with the permission of
Wendy Nordvik-Carr
http://www.linkedin.com/in/wendynordvikcarr
Follow Wendy on Twitter http://twitter.com/wendynordvikcar
Because I am always looking for new innovative ideas and trends for our newsroom this one looked interesting. I read about how great Google Revolution was from a column on a large news website.
I visited the site recommended and the information they were offering looked like it might be worth the download charge of $1.88. This is when they got me.
I provided a credit card number for this charge at the end of June and thought everything was fine.
In August I started to receive charges from four web companies all related to Google Revolution.
I called Visa and they said there was nothing I could do about it and to call the companies involved.
I then called the companies listed on my bill and they all said I had agreed to these charges when I downloaded the $1.88 information.
During the call I could hear the background buzz from call operators explaining to others just as shocked as I was. It seemed like the four companies were all operating out of the same call centre.
Can you imagine the money they must be receiving from other innocent victims.
I thought I was pretty savvy about watching out for scams but this one got me good. Hopefully these charges of several hundreds of dollars will not appear on my credit card next month.
Lesson learned.
The above information is reposted with the permission of
Wendy Nordvik-Carr
http://www.linkedin.com/in/wendynordvikcarr
Follow Wendy on Twitter http://twitter.com/wendynordvikcar
One week to Scam Jam
It is only one week until Scam Jam in Portland, Oregon.
Please join us at Reed College on Saturday, October 17th from 9am to 3pm.
Learn how to protect yourself from ID theft, investment fraud, repair scams, financial exploitation . . . plus speak with Shawn Mosch of Scam Victims United!
http://portlandscamjam.com/
You can also go to http://www.chuckwhitlock.com/scamjam.html to see footage from past events.
Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of www.ScamVictimsUnited.com
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch
Please join us at Reed College on Saturday, October 17th from 9am to 3pm.
Learn how to protect yourself from ID theft, investment fraud, repair scams, financial exploitation . . . plus speak with Shawn Mosch of Scam Victims United!
http://portlandscamjam.com/
You can also go to http://www.chuckwhitlock.com/scamjam.html to see footage from past events.
Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of www.ScamVictimsUnited.com
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Scammers and Social Networking Sites
This information is re-posted from the FBI Press Release Page
Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking sites and spread malicious software by using various techniques. One technique involves the use of spam to promote phishing sites, claiming there has been a violation of the terms of agreement or some other type of issue which needs to be resolved. Other spam entices users to download an application or view a video. Some spam appears to be sent from users' "friends", giving the perception of being legitimate. Once the user responds to the phishing site, downloads the application, or clicks on the video link, their computer, telephone or other digital device becomes infected.
Another technique used by fraudsters involves applications advertised on social networking sites, which appear legitimate; however, some of these applications install malicious code or rogue anti-virus software. Other malicious software gives the fraudsters access to your profile and personal information. These programs will automatically send messages to your "friends" list, instructing them to download the new application too.
Infected users are often unknowingly spreading additional malware by having infected websites posted on their webpage without their knowledge. Friends are then more apt to click on these sites since they appear to be endorsed by their contacts.
Tips on avoiding these tactics:
Adjust website privacy settings. Some networking sites have provided useful options to assist in adjusting these settings to help protect your identity.
Be selective of your friends. Once selected, your "friends" can access any information marked as "viewable by all friends."
You can select those who have "limited" access to your profile. This is for those whom you do not wish to give full friend status to or with whom you feel uncomfortable sharing personal information.
Disable options and then open them one by one such as texting and photo sharing capabilities. Users should consider how they want to use the social networking site.
If it is only to keep in touch with people then perhaps it would be better to turn off the extra options which will not be used.
Be careful what you click on. Just because someone posts a link or video to their "wall" does not mean it is safe.
Those interested in becoming a user of a social networking site and/or current users are recommended to familiarize themselves with the site's policies and procedures before encountering such a problem.
Each social networking site may have different procedures on how to handle a hijacked or infected account; therefore, you may want to reference their help or FAQ page for instructions.
Individuals who experienced such incidents are encouraged to file a complaint at www.IC3.gov reporting the incident.
---------------------
Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch
Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking sites and spread malicious software by using various techniques. One technique involves the use of spam to promote phishing sites, claiming there has been a violation of the terms of agreement or some other type of issue which needs to be resolved. Other spam entices users to download an application or view a video. Some spam appears to be sent from users' "friends", giving the perception of being legitimate. Once the user responds to the phishing site, downloads the application, or clicks on the video link, their computer, telephone or other digital device becomes infected.
Another technique used by fraudsters involves applications advertised on social networking sites, which appear legitimate; however, some of these applications install malicious code or rogue anti-virus software. Other malicious software gives the fraudsters access to your profile and personal information. These programs will automatically send messages to your "friends" list, instructing them to download the new application too.
Infected users are often unknowingly spreading additional malware by having infected websites posted on their webpage without their knowledge. Friends are then more apt to click on these sites since they appear to be endorsed by their contacts.
Tips on avoiding these tactics:
Adjust website privacy settings. Some networking sites have provided useful options to assist in adjusting these settings to help protect your identity.
Be selective of your friends. Once selected, your "friends" can access any information marked as "viewable by all friends."
You can select those who have "limited" access to your profile. This is for those whom you do not wish to give full friend status to or with whom you feel uncomfortable sharing personal information.
Disable options and then open them one by one such as texting and photo sharing capabilities. Users should consider how they want to use the social networking site.
If it is only to keep in touch with people then perhaps it would be better to turn off the extra options which will not be used.
Be careful what you click on. Just because someone posts a link or video to their "wall" does not mean it is safe.
Those interested in becoming a user of a social networking site and/or current users are recommended to familiarize themselves with the site's policies and procedures before encountering such a problem.
Each social networking site may have different procedures on how to handle a hijacked or infected account; therefore, you may want to reference their help or FAQ page for instructions.
Individuals who experienced such incidents are encouraged to file a complaint at www.IC3.gov reporting the incident.
---------------------
Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch
Monday, October 5, 2009
Fraudulent emails - FBI
There have been several press releases about fraudlent emails that appear to be coming from the FBI. I will just post all of them here, with the links to the press releases.
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091005-3.aspx
Fraudulent e-mail claiming to contain an FBI Intelligence Bulletin from the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate
A fraudulent e-mail, initially appearing around June 16, 2009, claims to contain a confidential FBI report from the FBI "Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate." The subject line of the email is "RE: Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate," and contains an attachment "reports.exe". This message and similar messages may contain a file related to the "W32.Waledac" trojan software, which is designed to steal user authentication credentials or send spam messages.
Do not click on any links associated with this e-mail or similar e-mails, it is a hoax.
The FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails or e-mail official reports. Consumers should not respond to any unsolicited e-mails or click on any embedded links, as they may contain viruses or malicious software.
Below is an example of the fraudulent e-mail message:
CLASSIFIED
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate
HANDLING NOTICE: Recipients are reminded that FBI Intelligence Bulletins contain sensitive terrorism and counterterrorism information meant for use primarily within the law enforcement and homeland security communities. Such bulletins shall not be released, either in written or oral form, to the media, the general public, or other personnel who do not have a valid need-to-know without prior approval from an authorized FBI official, as such release could jeopardize national security.
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091005-2.aspx
Fraudulent E-mail Claiming To Contain FBI "Intelligence Bulletin No. 267"
A fraudulent e-mail message claiming to contain a confidential FBI report titled "New Patterns in Al-Qaeda Financing" has been circulating since August 15, 2009. The e-mail has the subject line "Intelligence Bulletin No. 267," and contains an attachment titled "bulletin.exe." This message, or similar messages, may contain files that are harmful to the recipient’s system and may try to steal user credentials.
Do not click on any links associated with this e-mail or similar e-mails, it is a hoax.
The FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails or email official reports. Consumers should not respond to any unsolicited e-mails or click on any embedded links, as they may contain viruses or other malicious software.
Below is an example of the fraudulent e-mail message:
INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN No. 267
Title: New Patterns in Al-Qaeda Financing
Date: August 15, 2009
THREAT LEVEL: YELLOW (ELEVATED)
THE INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFET= OFFICIALS WITH SITUATIONAL AWARENESS CONCERNING INTERNATIONAL AND DOMES=IC TERRORIST GROUPS AND TACTICS.
HANDLING NOTICE: Recipients are reminded that FBI Intelligence Bulletins =ontain sensitive terrorism and counterterrorism information meant for us= primarily within the law enforcement community. Such bulletins are not =o be released either in written or oral form to the media, the general p=blic, or other personnel who do not have a valid ?eed-to-know?with=ut prior approval from an authorized FBI official, as such release could jeopardize national security.
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091005-1.aspx
Fraudulent E-mail Claiming To Be From DHS And The FBI Counterterrorism Division
Fraudulent e-mails containing the subject line "New DHS Report" have been circulating since August 15, 2009. The e-mails claim to be from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI Counterterrorism Division. The e-mail text contains information about "New Usama Bin Ladin Speech Directed to the People of Europe," and has an attachment titled "audio.exe." The attachment is purportedly an audio speech from Bin Ladin; however, it actually contains malicious software intended to steal information from the recipient's system.
Do not click on any links associated with this e-mail or similar e-mails, it is a hoax.
The FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails or e-mail official reports. Consumers should not respond to any unsolicited e-mails or click on any embedded links, as they may contain viruses or malware.
One example of this fraudulent e-mail message is as follows:
Subject: New DHS Report
New Usama Bin Ladin Speech Directed to the People of Europe Prepared by DHS/I&A Intelligence Watch and Warning Division and the FBI Counter Terrorism Division
(U//FOUO) Media outlets are reporting the release of a new audio tape on Al Jazeera today from Usama Bin Ladin, in which he states that all European countries involved in the Afghanistan war should end their support of American oppression in Afghanistan. In the audio message, Bin Ladin claims direct responsibility for the 11 September 2001 attacks and emphasizes that neither the Afghan people nor the Afghan government had foreknowledge of the attacks.
////Signed////
Charlie Allen
Chief Intelligence Officer
Department of Homeland Security
This information is brought to you by ScamVictimsUnited.com
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091005-3.aspx
Fraudulent e-mail claiming to contain an FBI Intelligence Bulletin from the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate
A fraudulent e-mail, initially appearing around June 16, 2009, claims to contain a confidential FBI report from the FBI "Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate." The subject line of the email is "RE: Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate," and contains an attachment "reports.exe". This message and similar messages may contain a file related to the "W32.Waledac" trojan software, which is designed to steal user authentication credentials or send spam messages.
Do not click on any links associated with this e-mail or similar e-mails, it is a hoax.
The FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails or e-mail official reports. Consumers should not respond to any unsolicited e-mails or click on any embedded links, as they may contain viruses or malicious software.
Below is an example of the fraudulent e-mail message:
CLASSIFIED
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate
HANDLING NOTICE: Recipients are reminded that FBI Intelligence Bulletins contain sensitive terrorism and counterterrorism information meant for use primarily within the law enforcement and homeland security communities. Such bulletins shall not be released, either in written or oral form, to the media, the general public, or other personnel who do not have a valid need-to-know without prior approval from an authorized FBI official, as such release could jeopardize national security.
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091005-2.aspx
Fraudulent E-mail Claiming To Contain FBI "Intelligence Bulletin No. 267"
A fraudulent e-mail message claiming to contain a confidential FBI report titled "New Patterns in Al-Qaeda Financing" has been circulating since August 15, 2009. The e-mail has the subject line "Intelligence Bulletin No. 267," and contains an attachment titled "bulletin.exe." This message, or similar messages, may contain files that are harmful to the recipient’s system and may try to steal user credentials.
Do not click on any links associated with this e-mail or similar e-mails, it is a hoax.
The FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails or email official reports. Consumers should not respond to any unsolicited e-mails or click on any embedded links, as they may contain viruses or other malicious software.
Below is an example of the fraudulent e-mail message:
INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN No. 267
Title: New Patterns in Al-Qaeda Financing
Date: August 15, 2009
THREAT LEVEL: YELLOW (ELEVATED)
THE INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFET= OFFICIALS WITH SITUATIONAL AWARENESS CONCERNING INTERNATIONAL AND DOMES=IC TERRORIST GROUPS AND TACTICS.
HANDLING NOTICE: Recipients are reminded that FBI Intelligence Bulletins =ontain sensitive terrorism and counterterrorism information meant for us= primarily within the law enforcement community. Such bulletins are not =o be released either in written or oral form to the media, the general p=blic, or other personnel who do not have a valid ?eed-to-know?with=ut prior approval from an authorized FBI official, as such release could jeopardize national security.
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091005-1.aspx
Fraudulent E-mail Claiming To Be From DHS And The FBI Counterterrorism Division
Fraudulent e-mails containing the subject line "New DHS Report" have been circulating since August 15, 2009. The e-mails claim to be from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI Counterterrorism Division. The e-mail text contains information about "New Usama Bin Ladin Speech Directed to the People of Europe," and has an attachment titled "audio.exe." The attachment is purportedly an audio speech from Bin Ladin; however, it actually contains malicious software intended to steal information from the recipient's system.
Do not click on any links associated with this e-mail or similar e-mails, it is a hoax.
The FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails or e-mail official reports. Consumers should not respond to any unsolicited e-mails or click on any embedded links, as they may contain viruses or malware.
One example of this fraudulent e-mail message is as follows:
Subject: New DHS Report
New Usama Bin Ladin Speech Directed to the People of Europe Prepared by DHS/I&A Intelligence Watch and Warning Division and the FBI Counter Terrorism Division
(U//FOUO) Media outlets are reporting the release of a new audio tape on Al Jazeera today from Usama Bin Ladin, in which he states that all European countries involved in the Afghanistan war should end their support of American oppression in Afghanistan. In the audio message, Bin Ladin claims direct responsibility for the 11 September 2001 attacks and emphasizes that neither the Afghan people nor the Afghan government had foreknowledge of the attacks.
////Signed////
Charlie Allen
Chief Intelligence Officer
Department of Homeland Security
This information is brought to you by ScamVictimsUnited.com
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch
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