HOW TO SPOT A SCAM

Click here for tips on how to smell an online love scam

Ignorance is not always bliss especially when it involves money. It pays to know how to tell a legitimate investment scheme from a phony one, and how to distinguish between a genuine business opportunity and a scam. Let's also not forget online Romeos who target lonely women, and sweet talk their way first into the lady's heart, and then into her bank account.

In MLM companies, it's the topmost levels 
that rake in the money
(Image: The Star, 5 August 2014) 

There are as many types of scams as there are victims. Scammers are getting more and more creative. We need to remain alert at all times. Better to be safe than sorry, better to be relieved that we escaped getting conned than to be relieved of our money and possessions.

A word of caution to seniors who are new to the internet and using email for the first time. You will receive letters from banks asking you to re-submit your account number and password for security purposes. This is phishing. You may also get emails from strangers offering you a shot at an easy money-making scheme, or from 'friends' who are stranded overseas without money overseas.

There has been a resurgence of pyramid schemes of late. The Star recently did a comprehensive coverage of various direct selling schemes, including tips on how to spot an MLM scam. The images below are sourced from the article "All That Glitters" published in Star2 on 5 August 2014. Do read and share to spread awareness of MLM scams.

The latest edition of The Heat (Issue 42 for Week 9-15 Aug, 2014) also carries an expose on online work-at-home scams. Be wary of those that advertise 'no experience required' or 'earn up to 5-digit income a month. Most of these scams ask you to pay a certain fee first before starting your 'employment'.

Below is a list of the many types of such scams. Be familiar with them to avoid getting conned. For the full article, get a copy of The Heat.

Types of work-at-home scams

• Email stuffing
• Processing claims or rebates
• The home typist
• "E-con-merce'
• Faux-real jobs
• Online pyramid scheme
• Dial into nothing
• Pre-screened lists

One final word of caution. Do not click on any link that looks suspicious. Never divulge your personal data or passwords to companies or organizations that ask for such information. When in doubt, DON'T. Scammers prey on those who are ignorant, fearful, gullible or greedy.

Source: The Telegraph

YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER...

"Your life is in danger, consider yourself dead now..." This was the subject heading of the email that was delivered to Seniorsaloud email inbox last night. The contents were alarming (see below in blue) and would have given the recipient a sleepless night had it been a genuine letter.

Seniorsaloud has posted several scam letters on this blog before (see links below) as well as samples of phishing. Despite all the warnings about online scams, there will always be some folks who will end up losing their hard-earned savings to these unscrupulous con men and women who comb the net looking for gullible victims.

How you can tell it's a scam. Source: University of Rochester

Older women are easy prey. Why? Find out at
NBC News

Retirees, in particular, cannot afford to be swindled of their life savings. So take heed. NEVER respond to any email that asks you for money or for your personal data. No 'friend' would ever ask for money to be sent to them, and no bank or organization would ask you to divulge your account number or password online. Look out especially for emails that contain plenty of spelling and grammar errors - a sure giveaway that the emails are fakes.

The majority of scams target our feelings of sympathy (asking for money to help someone in distress), greed (notifying us that we have just won or inherited $1 million), and implicit trust in those in authority (requesting for our personal particulars). The latest type of scams, however, is aimed at causing fear in us. Please read the scam email below so you'll know what to do if you ever receive a similar email - IGNORE IT.

You have been betrayed!!! It's a pity that this how your life is going to come to an end as your death had already been paid for by someone who is very close to you from all investigations.

I have ordered 3 (three) of my men to monitor every move of you and make sure you are not out of sight till the date of your assassination.

According to the report I gets, you seem to be innocent about what you have been accuse but I have no business with that, so that's why am contacting you to know if truly you are innocent and how much you value your life.

Get back to me if you sure want to live on, ignore this mail only if you feel it's a joke or just a threat. Don't forget your days on earth are numbered, so you have the chance to live if only you will comply with me.

WARNING: Tell no one about this mail to you because he or she might just be the person who wants you dead, and if that happens, I will be aware and am going to make sure you DIE instantly.

I will give you every detail of where to be and how to take any actions be it legal or illegal, that's only when I read from you. You need to stay calm and act unaware of this situation and follow instructions because any move you make that is suspicious; you will DIE as your days are numbered.

The New Zealand government's Consumer Affairs Division has just published (June 2013) A Guide for Seniors to help them get online savvy. It contains excellent advice on how to protect themselves and their families against online scams. You can download it for free.

Please read these related posts too, and be informed.

BE VIGILANT AGAINST SPEAR PHISHING

LONELY AND DESPERATE? EASY PREY TO CYBER ROMEOS

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MY PERSONAL ASSISTANT?

(This came in my mail box today. I believe this is a scam. I am posting it here in case some of you receive similar emails. Do not be taken in and respond. The golden rule is 'If something is too good to be true, it is exactly that." It is always best to be safe than sorry later. Never ever divulge your personal details to anyone online, unless it's someone you know and trust. If the email comes from a company or an organization, do an online search and find out if it exists, and if it is legitimate. Other tell-tale signs are bad grammar and incorrect punctuation. There are plenty of such errors in this email below.)


Hello, Will you be interested in being my personal Assistant? below are the the
details of the job :

Responsibilities
1. Receive my mail and Drop them off at the post office or shipping center.
2. Pay my bills on my behalf and sit for delivery at home.
3. Pick up my items at your nearby post office at your convenience.
4. When you get my mail or package, you would mail all items to where I want
them shipped.All expenses and shipping charges will be covered by me.

The contents of the packages are mostly art materials and paintings. In
addition, there will be clothing I need for business and personal letters. No
heavy packages is involved,I would love to meet with you to discuss this job in
more detail, but I am currently away on business in China. If you decide to
accept the position, please read the employment requirements listed below.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

A. You are an honest and trustworthy citizen.
B. You will be required to work between 15 and 20hrs a month
C You need to be able to check your EMAIL 3 to 5 times daily.

THE PAY IS $500 WEEKLY and you are entitle to a brand new car after 1 Month if
you are hardworking and honest with me, WHICH IS NOT A BAD OFFER.

In closing, I have a couple of questions for you.
First, If I were to mail you money to do my shopping plus an upfront Payment for
your service, where would you want it mailed to?

Second, how would you like for your name appear on the Cashiers Check Or Any
other Payment option?To start kindly provide you're details

_N_a_m_e (F|L):
_A_d_d_r_e_s_s_:
_C_o_u_n_t_r_y_:
_S_t_a_t_e_:
_C_i_t_y_:
_Z_1_P_:
_A_G_E_:
_P_h_0_n_e_s_:
_0_c_c_u_p_a_t_i_o_n:
_@-M_a_i_l_:

-------------------------------------------------
Thank You.....

You might want to check out this article:

Avoiding online scams

BEWARE OF THE LOVE TRAP

If you are single, lonely, depressed and yearning for companionship, this video below is for you. Beware of whom you befriend online when you visit online dating or friendship sites.

Older adults, especially women in their 40s and above, please take heed. You are the main target of online scammers who will charm ('worm' is a better word) their way into your heart, and then tell you a sob story to fleece you of your money.

Don't even think about accepting requests to befriend strangers on Facebook and Skype. Getting your heart broken is one thing, but when you are also swindled of your life savings, that's a double whammy that may take you years to recover from.

So take note, and protect yourself and your money.



Related article:

FROM SPAM TO SCAM

BE VIGILANT AGAINST SPEAR PHISHING

Source: Straits Times 4 June 2011

This is too important not to share - my first encounter with spear phishing. It's a new and rapidly spreading form of fraud that comes as an email from people you know like your family members, colleagues or friends. Google has acknowledged on Wednesday that it is aware of attempts to steal hundreds of gmail passwords and hack into gmail accounts.


The Telegraph Sunday 5 June

This email below almost got me fooled because it 'came' from a good friend. I received it a few days ago. It had my ex-college mate's familiar email address. As I continued reading I knew for sure the email was a scam. Linda has contributed articles to Seniorsaloud. It was unlike her to make so many glaring grammatical errors. The desperate plea for money to be sent to her in Greece sounded suspicious to me.

I'm reproducing the email here in case you receive similar emails purportedly from someone you know. DO NOT RESPOND TO IT.
_____________

Hello ,


I 'm sure you are okay. Apology for contacting you in this manner.Sorry I didn't inform you about my trip to Athens. It was an urgent business/seminar trip. I'm stranded in serious mess here in Greece.It is not easy to be stranded abroad. I was attacked on my way to the hotel I lodged, although I wasn't hurt because I complied immediately to their demand.


My mobile phone and luggage were stolen. My Credit Cards and some other vital documents were inside my luggage. I have called my credit card company to blocked all my cards.I have also been to the embassy to report the case.The embassy promised to take the necessary measures. Aside these, I need to sort out some vital issues including my bills.


Please I want to ask you for a favor.I need financial assistance urgently. I would like you to help me with 2000$.I will refund you with interest upon my arrival back home.If you can't be able to send me the whole 2000$,please,send any amount you can afford.I am in urgent need of Money to sort out some bills.


It is not a spam or virus message.I am in a critical situation here and needed urgent help.
Send me any amount you can afford using western union money transfer.Find a nearest outlet and send me some money to my name and address below.


DETAILS NEEDED FOR THE MONEY TRANSFER.


Name: Linda Toh
Address: 87 Valaoritou str. ( KOLONAKI )
ATHENS CENTER 10671
Athens, Greece .


I appreciate your help and kindness. Please get back to me via my email with the MTCN once you transfer the money.


Many thanks in advance.


Linda Toh
___________

If you are using gmail, you would have received emails like this one:

Just a reminder that you're receiving this email at Google support centre because your registered Account needs to be verified via our website to receive related news and updates for the security of your Account on our new central webmail system. If you would like to login to your account please do send us the details below regarding your Account for confirmation.



Account Name:
Password:
Present Location:


Warning! If you would like to continue using Google services, please click on the reply button and email us the aforementioned details immediately for confirmation and validation. We will not accept liability for any loss or damage to your Account. Again we apologize for any inconvenience.

Copyright © 2011 Google.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
________________

Online scammers are raking in millions duping web-users, in particular, older folks who are new to the internet and who are easily swayed by appeals for financial help. Younger web-users are more likely to fall for get-rich scams like this one below:

Dear Gmail user


Your email emerged a winner of £500,000.00GBP.(CGPN):7-22-71-00-66-12, Ticket number: 00869575733664, Serial numbers:/BTD/8070447706/06, Lucky numbers: 12-12-23-35-40-41(12).

Contact Mr. Bernard Graham for more details: Email:bernard.w.graham04@gmail.com


Sincerely,


Ms. Mary Johnson
_______________

When unsuspecting recipients of such fraudulent emails respond, their email address is harvested and used in mass emails to their friends asking for financial assistance.

Never disclose your passwords, bank account numbers and PIN numbers to anyone. No legitimate banks, corporations or good friends will ever ask you to email them confidential personal information.

If you ever receive an email from me or Seniorsaloud asking for your personal data or appealing for donation or financial aid, take it from me that I would NEVER EVER send you such an email. Chances are it came from an underground syndicate operating in some Third World country. These scoundrels are skimming off millions from gullible web-users.

Stay vigilant against such scams and scums.