The Risks Associated with SPAM e-Mail Just Went Up
What is SPAM?
In short, SPAM is any unsolicited e-mail. Typically this means e-mail
that is sent to solicit the purchase of items. Recently much of the
SPAM people have been receiving has been of a sexual nature that many
find disturbing. A more complete definition of SPAM can be found at
mail-abuse.org.
What are the Risks?
Until recently, most of the risks associated with SPAM e-mail have
been associated with money-making schemes used to bilk consumers of
thousands of dollars. The Federal Trade Commission lists the 12 Scams
Most Likely to Arrive Via Bulk E-Mail as:
The 12 Most Prevalent E-Mail Scams
- Business opportunities
- Bulk email
- Chain letters
- Work-at-home schemes
- Health and diet scams
- Effortless income
- Free goods
- Investment opportunities
- Cable descrambler kits
- Guaranteed loans or credit, on easy terms
- Credit repair
- Vacation prize promotions
Dangerous Brand-Spoofing SPAM E-Mail
Brand-
Spoofing SPAM E-Mail looks like it is coming from a company
whose brand your recognize, possibly one with whom you conduct
business. Sony, Microsoft, Best Buy, UPS, Bank of America, PayPal and
First Union Bank are among some of the recent brands that have been
spoofed.
Spoofed e-mails typically contain requests to confirm some of
your personal information. For instance, they may ask for you to
enter your name, address, phone number, passwords, Social Security
number and/or credit card numbers to verify their records.
Because these e-mails appear to be legitimate, many people give up
some of their personal information. This information is then used to
feed an estimated $1 Billion
per year identity theft industry
What to Do
If an e-mail offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. If a
vendor is requesting you verify information, contact them directly,
through means other than replying to the e-mail. Finally, report the
crooks to the FBI's
Internet Fraud Complaint
Center
See Also
PRINT PAGE