Scams & Hoaxes
Information from About Guides and partners relating to Scams & Hoaxes
Internet Fraud Dupes Men More Often Than Women
(News) A study finds men fall harder, lose more money when hit by cyber fraud.
(News) A study finds men fall harder, lose more money when hit by cyber fraud.
Computer financing firms settle FTC charges
(News) Two related companies that offer to finance the purchase of PCs to consumers with poor credit ratings have agreed to pay up to US$5 million to settle a U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint that they violated a federal lending law and sometimes failed to deliver the computers, the FTC said.
(News) Two related companies that offer to finance the purchase of PCs to consumers with poor credit ratings have agreed to pay up to US$5 million to settle a U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint that they violated a federal lending law and sometimes failed to deliver the computers, the FTC said.
Toner scheme busted by sharp eyed Xerox employees
(News) A former Xerox customer service agent on Tuesday pleaded guilty to mail fraud for stealing and selling cartridges stolen from his former employer online.
(News) A former Xerox customer service agent on Tuesday pleaded guilty to mail fraud for stealing and selling cartridges stolen from his former employer online.
Three Plead Guilty in Nigerian Spam Scheme
(News) E-Mail sob stories that turn out to be scams could bring jail terms for trio who coaxed $1.2 million from victims.
(News) E-Mail sob stories that turn out to be scams could bring jail terms for trio who coaxed $1.2 million from victims.
How to Buy and Sell on eBay Scam-Free
(How To) Don't give up on the biggest auction marketplace because of fears of fraud. Here's how to buy and sell without a hitch.
(How To) Don't give up on the biggest auction marketplace because of fears of fraud. Here's how to buy and sell without a hitch.
Phishing kit pits wannabe scammers vs. pro fraudsters
(News) In a twist, security researchers have discovered a group of hackers who are exploiting a new category of victims -- aspiring Internet scammers.
(News) In a twist, security researchers have discovered a group of hackers who are exploiting a new category of victims -- aspiring Internet scammers.
Consumer Alert: Unscrupulous Online Lenders Scam Borrowers
(News) Would-be borrowers in the U.S. and Canada are being bilked out of thousands of dollars.
(News) Would-be borrowers in the U.S. and Canada are being bilked out of thousands of dollars.
Researchers: Current education inadequate to fight phishing
(News) Security researchers in Pittsburgh last week disagreed over how to educate Web users to prevent phishing attacks, but agreed on one thing: most current methods of user education are inadequate.
(News) Security researchers in Pittsburgh last week disagreed over how to educate Web users to prevent phishing attacks, but agreed on one thing: most current methods of user education are inadequate.
Microsoft plays 'Detective' to determine phishing frequency
(News) Microsoft Corp.'s research arm has been quietly collecting data through an add-on service to its Windows Live Toolbar to determine how often Web users actually fall prey to phishing attacks.
(News) Microsoft Corp.'s research arm has been quietly collecting data through an add-on service to its Windows Live Toolbar to determine how often Web users actually fall prey to phishing attacks.
Fraud police buckling under mountains of data
(News) Fraud investigators are struggling to cope with vast quantities of data sent to them by financial institutions, meaning some crimes may go uninvestigated or even unnoticed, experts said on Wednesday.
(News) Fraud investigators are struggling to cope with vast quantities of data sent to them by financial institutions, meaning some crimes may go uninvestigated or even unnoticed, experts said on Wednesday.
E-card industry gets the message from fraudsters
(News) The e-card industry began seeing some pretty unfriendly greetings this past June.
(News) The e-card industry began seeing some pretty unfriendly greetings this past June.
DOJ warns US citizens of phishing attack
(News) The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is alerting e-mail users about a possible phishing attack using messages that claim to be from the DOJ.
(News) The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is alerting e-mail users about a possible phishing attack using messages that claim to be from the DOJ.
Attention, Shoppers: Checkout Stand 4 Is Now Open to ID Theft
(News) Using your debit or credit card to pay for goods could be expensive if a scammer is bugging your store's keypad.
(News) Using your debit or credit card to pay for goods could be expensive if a scammer is bugging your store's keypad.
Top 25 Web Hoaxes and Pranks
(News) These online spoofs and shams have made the rounds on Web sites and through e-mail. Perhaps you even believed one or two of them yourself.
(News) These online spoofs and shams have made the rounds on Web sites and through e-mail. Perhaps you even believed one or two of them yourself.
'Evil twin' Wi-Fi access points proliferate
(News) The next time you splurge on a double latte and sip it while browsing the Internet via the cafe's Wi-Fi, beware of the "evil twin."
(News) The next time you splurge on a double latte and sip it while browsing the Internet via the cafe's Wi-Fi, beware of the "evil twin."
Trade group: Beware of IRS site confusion
(News) U.S. taxpayers rushing to meet next Tuesday's tax-filing deadline should be aware of Web sites with URLs similar to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service's IRS.gov site that may charge for services available for free elsewhere, a tech trade group warned.
(News) U.S. taxpayers rushing to meet next Tuesday's tax-filing deadline should be aware of Web sites with URLs similar to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service's IRS.gov site that may charge for services available for free elsewhere, a tech trade group warned.
Phishing scam uses Google Maps to locate victims
(News) Account holders with at least two Australian banks have become victims of a phishing scam in which malicious code reveals the physical location of affected IP addresses using Google Maps. Bank account holders in Germany and the U.S. have also been targeted.
(News) Account holders with at least two Australian banks have become victims of a phishing scam in which malicious code reveals the physical location of affected IP addresses using Google Maps. Bank account holders in Germany and the U.S. have also been targeted.
Devious New Phishing Attack Outsmarts Typical Defenses
(howto) Devious New Phishing Attack Outsmarts Typical Defenses
(howto) Devious New Phishing Attack Outsmarts Typical Defenses
Ireland Cracks Down on Internet Scams
(news) Calls to 13 other countries will be blocked to thwart auto-dialer software.
(news) Calls to 13 other countries will be blocked to thwart auto-dialer software.
Internet Tips: Think Before You Click to Avoid Viruses and Scams
(howto) Just a bit of caution will keep your PC and your personal data safe. Plus: How good is an anti-spyware tool marketed through spam?
(howto) Just a bit of caution will keep your PC and your personal data safe. Plus: How good is an anti-spyware tool marketed through spam?
Rise in 'Phishing' Causes Alarm
(news) Scammers hook hundreds of people every month, security experts warn.
(news) Scammers hook hundreds of people every month, security experts warn.
Home Office: Booming Web Scam
(howto) Phishing is on the rise: Don't get tricked into divulging personal information online.
(howto) Phishing is on the rise: Don't get tricked into divulging personal information online.
On Your Side: Dialer Racks Up Huge Phone Bills
(howto) Beware of rogue downloads from seemingly safe sites.
(howto) Beware of rogue downloads from seemingly safe sites.
Bogus Ink Stink
(news) Counterfeit ink and toner cartridges can ruin prints, spray ink, and permanently damage your printer. Part one of a series on cheap ink.
(news) Counterfeit ink and toner cartridges can ruin prints, spray ink, and permanently damage your printer. Part one of a series on cheap ink.
Mystery Web Fees Hit Phone Bills
(news) Several jurisdictions investigate reports of 'cramming' Web services.
(news) Several jurisdictions investigate reports of 'cramming' Web services.
Consumer Watch: Avoid Online Snake Oil Sellers
(howto) Learn how to find Internet medical advice that won't make you sick.
(howto) Learn how to find Internet medical advice that won't make you sick.
Fake Ink Cartridges Ooze Into the Market
(news) Printer vendors quietly fight influx of counterfeit supplies.
(news) Printer vendors quietly fight influx of counterfeit supplies.
Consumer Watch: Net Tricks That Muddy Your Reputation
(howto) Online bad guys can send spam under your name or steal your financial data.
(howto) Online bad guys can send spam under your name or steal your financial data.
Camera Confidential
(howto) Web buyer beware: Our undercover shopping expedition revealed doubtful deals, padded prices, and pushy salespeople. Here's how to avoid getting burned.
(howto) Web buyer beware: Our undercover shopping expedition revealed doubtful deals, padded prices, and pushy salespeople. Here's how to avoid getting burned.
Internet Scams Top Consumer Fraud
(news) Online hoaxes and fraud make up half of annual complaints--but help is available.
(news) Online hoaxes and fraud make up half of annual complaints--but help is available.
Consumer Alert: A DSL Provider's Spotty History
(news) Net connection customers tell of up-front payments, no service.
(news) Net connection customers tell of up-front payments, no service.
Bugs and Fixes: How to Spot Virus Hoaxes a Mile Off
(howto) Bogus warnings can hurt more than real viruses. Here's how to detect them.
(howto) Bogus warnings can hurt more than real viruses. Here's how to detect them.
Home Office: Stop E-Mail Hoaxes in Their Tracks
(howto) No soap, Klez; plus Nigerian kings who want to make you rich.
(howto) No soap, Klez; plus Nigerian kings who want to make you rich.
Home Office: How to Spot an E-Mail Hoax
(howto) Missing children, e-mail tax, gravity-defying water balloons.
(howto) Missing children, e-mail tax, gravity-defying water balloons.
E-Posses Patrol for Auction Fraud
(news) Online community looks out for its members, but some turn vigilante.
(news) Online community looks out for its members, but some turn vigilante.
Ebay Identity Theft Hits Close to Home
(news) Tech-savvy editor shocked to find someone bidding on goods using her eBay identity.
(news) Tech-savvy editor shocked to find someone bidding on goods using her eBay identity.
Spam Wars Enter Another Round
(news) FTC severs one e-mail chain, mounts ongoing campaign against illegal online solicitation.
(news) FTC severs one e-mail chain, mounts ongoing campaign against illegal online solicitation.
Consumer Watch: The Myth of Secure E-Shopping
(howto) Five years into the e-commerce revolution, security problems still haunt even large Web sites.
(howto) Five years into the e-commerce revolution, security problems still haunt even large Web sites.
Dot Cons
(news) Here's the straight dope on the latest online auction and e-commerce rip-offs, financial swindles, digital grift, and other Internet flimflams.
(news) Here's the straight dope on the latest online auction and e-commerce rip-offs, financial swindles, digital grift, and other Internet flimflams.
Insurance, Oversight Urged to Fight Internet Fraud
(news) Nader, industry players debate how to protect but encourage digital commerce.
(news) Nader, industry players debate how to protect but encourage digital commerce.
Vanishing PlayStation Sites: The Latest Seasonal Swindle?
(news) Here's how to duck the digital pickpockets, surf past the scams, and shop successfully online.
(news) Here's how to duck the digital pickpockets, surf past the scams, and shop successfully online.