AFTER moving to France you are likely to be using the internet more often that you did previously.
What with keeping in touch with friends, reading the news and finding out more about the regions of France your internet use is likely to be high.
However, you are also open to more online scams and frauds as crooks aim to steal valuable passwords, personal information and your cash.
The UK’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched a campaign that aims to help people spot scams and tricks before any damage is done.
These include the notorious Nigerian emails promising millions from the bank accounts of a, now deceased, oil tycoon.
Or then again you might have received an email saying you have won a lottery, often from Canada, but also Holland and Spain, asking you to pay a small fee to release the funds.
Although it is very difficult to make sure your email address doesn’t receive these messages, ensuring they are deleted straight away is the best thing to do.
Problems can arise if you reply back to these message, even if you ask just to be removed from the list, because the scammers know there is someone actually reading the email.
And this information is then sold on to other crooks who will chance their arm with their scam.
The OFT website features a section on their work highlighting some useful information about internet based fraud, and what to look out for.
Related article:
Ditch dodgy email
Comments
2 responses to “Internet scambusting”
Dear frenchlife,
I was sent this e-mail. Do you think it is a scam:
FROM: THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT
EURO STAR LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
Amsterdam The Netherland
Ref. Number: QWZ:009-761-00W-LG3.
Batch Number: ASW:911-310-322-GT .
Serial Number: 8801-442.
Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held this day Tueday the 31th of May 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number:8700-6112-1966-WV with serial number:8801-442. drew lucky numbers 2-5-13-31-21-53-87. which consequently won in the 1stcategory, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$1,750,000,00( One million Seven Hunderd and fifty thousand Euros )
CONGRATULATION !!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winninginformation confidential until your claims has been processed and your money remittedto you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.
To file for your claim, please contact our FIDUCIAL Agent
MR. ROBERT SPENCER,
TEL/FAX:+31-847-473-720
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than June 2005. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications. please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence email to your fiducial claim Agent.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more from our members and staff thank you for being part of our promotional program.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs,Beverly K. Ryan
Euro Star Lotto Coordinator.
NOTE:PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS OFFICE, MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT YOUR CLAIMS AGENT ABOVE.ALSO MAKE SURE YOU SEND DOWN YOUR PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS TO YOUR CLAIMS AGENT FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.
___________________________________________________
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Dear Tamaro
In a word, YES!!! Just delete it and future messages you receive like it.
Regards
Craig