Don't get ripped off by hurricane cyberscams
By Jon Swartz and Sandra Block, USA TODAY Online con artists have launched at least a dozen scams preying on people donating to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts or seeking news, federal authorities and anti-spam experts say. The FBI is looking into suspicious Web sites and phishing spam messages
that attempt to filch personal data such as credit card numbers, spokesman Paul
Bresson says.
Some e-mails with fake news alerts include links to sites loaded with
computer viruses designed to steal or destroy personal information, says
computer-security firm Sophos. It also has spotted e-mails with links to
"spoofed" Web sites that look like valid charities.
Separately, individuals are seeking thousands of dollars on eBay for the
rights to Internet domain names containing Katrina and hurricane, says Johannes
Ullrich, chief research officer at Sans Institute, a computer-security
company.
Tips for givers Send money, not goods. Most charities prefer financial contributions
because they can use the money to buy needed items near the disaster site.
Be wary of high-pressure appeals that are long on emotion and short on
details.
Don't give credit card numbers or other personal financial information to
telemarketers or in response to e-mail solicitations. Ask for written info about
the charity's programs and finances.
Check out charities before you give. You can research charities at www.give.org or www.guidestar.org.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has recommended several
organizations, including:
American Red Cross, 800-435-7669
America's Second Harvest, 800-344-8070
Catholic Charities USA, 800-919-9338
Salvation Army, 800-725-2769
Source: USA TODAY research
"Any time there's a tragedy, cybercriminals attempt to cash in. It's like
clockwork," says Stephen Canale, an independent spam analyst.
The Internet's emergence as a major fundraising tool also has ushered in a
wave of online scams designed to fleece consumers, as was the case with the
tsunami disaster last year and 9/11.
Hurricane scams are the latest example of Internet fraud by individuals and
organized criminals in the USA, Eastern Europe and Africa, says Alfred Huger,
senior director of engineering at computer-security giant Symantec.
Bogus charities and scams divert money from legitimate charities that need
all the money they can get, watchdog groups say. Many hurricane victims will be
homeless for months, putting a strain on social service organizations such as
the American Red Cross, says Daniel Borochoff, president of the American
Institute of Philanthropy.
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the American Red Cross came under
sharp criticism for diverting money donated for the victims to other programs.
Since then, the charity has made changes that will prevent that from happening
again, Borochoff says. "They really are making quite an effort to be clear with
the public and not continue raising more than they need" for a specific
disaster, he says.
Cybersecurity experts have several tips for consumers who want to help
hurricane victims without getting ripped off. They urge donors to ignore e-mail
asking for money and contribute to organizations they are familiar with.
"Given the nature of what has happened and the urgency with which Americans
want to act, I would caution to give with your head as well as your heart," says
Bennett Weiner of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.
----- Original Message -----
From: JB
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 10:21 AM
Subject: Re: [cia-drugs] SALVATION ARMY LINK BOGUS! Who the hell is [EMAIL PROTECTED] ????? http://www2.salvationarmy.org/usw%5Cwww_usw.nsf/vw-news/5845655654F3D3EA88257069007BEF44?opendocument http://www.salvationarmy.usawest.org/ THE SALVATION ARMY PROVIDES RELIEF IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE KATRINA August 26, 2005 - (Miami, FL) The Salvation Army Miami Command is responding
with disaster relief in the heavily flooded area of Cutler Ridge in southern
Dade County. Mobile canteen units are providing food, water and other relief
items to victims and relief workers in the area. County Emergency Management
officials are continuing to access the situation and there may be additional
support needed. Arlene Johnson wrote:
Complete archives at http://www.sitbot.net/ Please let us stay on topic and be civil. OM
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