This is old news to those of us making a living on the net. But perhaps still frightening. I sell test equipment to other countries and about three times a week I have someone who wants my SSN or banking information. I never give out such info, but I do business with wire transfers (EFT). There are ways to do this that are legit and I stick to them. Some countries have some requirements for tax reasons, and I give out my EIN, not my SSN.
ANYONE that asks for your SSN is a scammer. Most people that ask for banking info are scammers. A visit to Craig's List (http://craigslist.org) will give you some insight on this topic and you may be surprised to learn that 90% of these scams emanate from Nigeria. There's a lot of computer technology behind all of these scams that makes it pretty difficult to track down who's responsible. Often times there is someone stateside that is working in concert with foreign groups to run these scams. Law enforcement has a might big meal on the plate to stop this stuff. As soon as they figure out who might be a stateside relay point, it changes - in a mater of minutes. Best thing is to NEVER give out your SSN or banking information online to ANYONE. Not even to people you know. I have a legally manufactured tool that would allow me to read emails going by on any server and see what is in the contents. If I perform these tasks for a company that pays me to work on their security issues then I am legally doing it. But anyone with computer/net security skills can do that illegally. You don't need a license to drive, you only get into trouble if you get caught without one. Paul Tiger -- Volunteer Coordinator -- Boulder Community Network [EMAIL PROTECTED] 747-640-4014 BCN Offices http://www.bouldercommunity.net The Boulder Community Network: Technology Serving Community -----Original Message----- From: Uitti, Jane [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 10:32 AM To: McKey, Paula; Pelle, Joe; Bohannan, Robin; Stout, Chuck; Hoyt, Larry; Hullinghorst, Dickey Lee; Mendez, Chris Subject: FW: Urgent COLA Scam -- forwarded from Center for People with Disabilities Importance: High If there are any others who should be receiving this, please feel free to forward. Jane -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of David Bolin Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 10:08 AM To: Boulder HSA Subject: FW: Urgent COLA Scam! Importance: High David Bolin Executive Director Center for People With Disabilities 1675 Range Street Boulder, CO 80301 303-442-8662 303-442-0502 FAX [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.cpwd-ilc.org This email message, and any included attachments from the Center for People With Disabilities (CPWD), is confidential and is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information contained herein may include protected health information or otherwise privileged information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply to this message and delete the email without disclosure. Thank you. -----Original Message----- From: Potter, Stephen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 8:05 AM Subject: Urgent COLA Scam! Importance: High Please publicize this as much as you can! thanks Steve Potter Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration Denver Regional Office 303-844-7324 Importance: High Attached is the press release we are sending about the latest phishing scam that uses the COLA announcement and a bogus website designed to look like Social Security's website. Please share with media outlets in your Regions as appropriate. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.3/530 - Release Date: 11/11/2006
