Scamwarners

Another great resource to keep an eye on.  http://www.scamwarners.com/  has some additional information on internet scams.   Check em out! Sphere: Related Content

Olympic Scams

The BBB has released a statement warning the public about the potential for scams related to the Olympics.   No I am not talking about how skating events are judged, that could be a long post...

No I am talking about things like Fake tickets, bogus trips, counterfeit memorabilia, and so on.

I am sure some idiot will also claim to be some Nigerian Olympian who can't cash a check to travel to Vancouver without your help.

Be sure to read more at the BBB site here http://boise.bbb.org/article/scams-arrive-as-winter-olympics-approach-14973.  

Go USA!!! Sphere: Related Content

Phish Tank

Bookmark this site http://www.phishtank.com/   it is simply a searchable list of suspected phishing URLS.

Now if they could turn this into an interactive / automatic piece of software that would analyze an email or web site....

Sphere: Related Content

Phishing in Nigeria!!! "419 scam warning" Warning

SCAM ALERT !!!!!    This is currently circulating through email.  Note the bad grammar, misspelled words,  strange capitalization and fake organizations.   This seems to be a warning from the FBI but note the reply-to addresses are hotmail accounts.   I masked some phone number, account, and email info just in case that was real.  The note seems to try to convince those that are already falling victim to a Nigerian scam to send their money to a different address.

Also note the bank name of "City Bank".

For more official information check here http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091027.aspx

Remember the FBI or any other government agency will never ask for personal information using email. They already know all about you!!!   


Here are some tips to avoid getting scammed by this :

• If the "opportunity" appears too good to be true, it probably is.
• Do not reply to emails asking for personal banking information.
• Be wary of individuals representing themselves as foreign government officials.
• Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country.
• Beware when asked to assist in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts.
• Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation.
• Guard your account information carefully.
• Be suspicious of any unsolicited email requesting personal information.
• Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal information.
• Always compare the link in the email to the link that you are actually directed to.
• Log on to the official website, instead of "linking" to it from an unsolicited email.
• Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the email to verify if the email is genuine.

THIS IS THE (F.B.I)http://www.fbi.gov
ROBERT S. MUELLER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI
Direct Line: 206-888-xxxx
Email: fbidpt_federalbureau@hotmail.com

Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington,
D.C. 20535-0001, USA


                                FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SEEKING TO WIRETAP THE INTERNET  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I) write to you in correspondence to the meeting we recently had with the Federal republic of Nigeria Government on the ERADICATION of SCAMS on the internet. Federal bureau of investigation (FBI) Washington, DC in conjunction with some other relevant Investigation Agencies like Internal Revenue Service here in the United states of America have recently been informed through our Global intelligence monitoring network that you presently have a transaction with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as regards to your over-due contract payment which was fully endorsed in your favor accordingly. After the meeting held on Friday 29th of Jan 2010 at the Bank Auditorium Center, the whole conflict of SCAMS was revealed to us by the Board of Trustee of Federal Republic of Nigeria mostly by the three arms of Government.

              The Judiciary, the Legislature and the Executive).

These three arms of Government has made Us realize that the ramped of SCAMS over floating around the United State of America and some other part of the world was been set up by the root of some CBN Ex-Workers that have been suspended for sometimes due to their dubious characters of initiating people to impersonate the Government Workers to receive peoples hard earn money from them, mostly with the Executive Governor identity.

For these reasons, the New Central Bank Executive Governor was invited to this office to defend the allegation against Him.  While he made complain that his office was not in charge of foreign transfer of funds, that the accredited office was Federal Ministry of Finance Department (FEDMINAP) in person of EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR: MR. LAMIDO AMINU SANUSI as the New appointed Accountant General in charge of all foreign transfer Payment files.


They also told us that the only problem they are facing right now is that some unscrupulous element are using this project as an avenue to scam innocent people off their hard earned money by impersonating the Executive Governor that is why the Federal Government has appoint EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR: MR. LAMIDO AMINU SANUSI as the Payment Director of the Central Bank office.

The Federal government of Nigeria has approved that all overdue outstanding payments must be paid on or before Monday 8th of Feb 2010, before the upcoming Local Government Electorates which might leads to recalling of funds back to the Bank Treasury.  Meanwhile, we are also informed that a Man with an America passport number (302888xxxx) came to the Central Bank affiliated bank office in U.K few days ago with a letter, claiming to be your true representative.

Here are the man information below:

Name: Denis Marion
Bank Name: City Bank
Bank Address: Arizona, USA
Account Number: 650xxxx008.

            INSTRUCTION/WARNING

FROM ROBERT S. MUELLER III.

NB: You are urgently advised to please reconfirm the below following information to the Office of the New Accountant General, as a matter of urgency if this Man is from you so that this office will not issue your fund and be held responsible, If this man isn't of your true representative, you are requested to contact for your inheritance claim valued of US$10,000,000.00M (Ten Million United State Dollars) only will be remitted into your nominated bank account or any other way you which to receive it.

1) Your full name..
2) Home, fax and mobile #.
3) Residential address.
4) Company name,
5)Company address.
6)Office position and
5) Age and marital status.
6) Working I'd / Int'l passport.

And should incase you are already dealing with anybody or office claiming to be From the Central Bank of Nigeria, you are further advised to STOP further Contact with in person from Africa in your best interest and as you already know that prof Soludo is no more the acting Gov of the (CBN) and then contact the real office of the New (GOV) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) only with the Below information's accordingly:


EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR: MR. LAMIDO AMINU SANUSI

OFFICE ADDRESS: Central Bank of Nigeria,
                Central Business District,
                Cadastral Zone,
                Abuja, Federal Capital Territory,
                Nigeria.
Direct Line: + 234 802-410-xxxx
Email:- remittancepayx@hotmail.com
                                IMPORTANT NOTICE.

Note: we are on investigation and security watch over any message with Central Bank, to benefit the satisfaction of all the United States Citizen by seeking to Wiretap scams on the internet with the help of Nigeria Government and also with The assistance of all United states Citizen, by listening to the instructions we give out to avoid falling for SCAMS on INTERNET.

All modalities has already been worked out even before you were contacted and note that we will be monitoring all your dealings with them as you proceed so You don't have anything to worry about.

All we require from you henceforth is an update so as to enable us be on track with you and the Central Bank of Nigeria. Without wasting much time, will want you to contact them immediately with the above email address so as to enable them attend to your case accordingly without any further delay as there is limit of validity on this transaction and further delay might make you lose this transaction as the rightful Beneficiary.

Should in case you need any more information's in regards to this Notification, be free to get back to us so that we can brief you more as we are here to guide you during and after this project has been completely perfected And you have received your contract fund as stated.

Thank you very much for your co-operation in advance as we earnestly await your urgent response to this matter.

Regards,

Robert S. Mueller,
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington,
D.C. 20535-0001, USA
Cell :- 206-666-xxxx Sphere: Related Content

I'm going on a Crusie!!!

I just won a 3 day 2 night cruise to the Caribbean!!! I just need to provide my credit card to pay for port charges, and airfare, and fuel charges, and booking fees, and what does that say down there attend a sales seminar?  

Oh it is one of those deals.   Damn I so wanted to escape winter.  

The postcard (ah-hem) goes on to say this offer is limited to the first 50 respondents, I am sure I will be respondent #51.  After the first 50 people sign up all others will be charged full price.

This is one example of a travel scam.   The FTC warns about other scams http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/phonefraud/travel.shtml .   The FTC article focuses on phone scams but these are just as viable over the internet or like my case a postcard.  

Before booking you next vacation know who you are dealing with.   I have gotten good deals from attending time share demos before.   Free dinners, free tours, free show tickets, and etc are all used by the timeshare companies to lure you to a presentation.   Just be prepared for the high pressure sales pitch and be ready to say no thanks. Sphere: Related Content

Income at home Review

Income at home is a website that boasts is has an A+ BBB.org rating.    Sticking to my principals I decided to check the rating.   Indeed the BBB.org lists the parent company "Online Business Systems" as having an A+ rating.   See full report here http://www.bbb.org/southern-colorado/business-reviews/business-opportunity-companies/online-business-systems-natl-customer-svc-ctr-in-colorado-springs-co-10000912.

In the report the BBB has place a disclaimer stating that the A+ rating is only for "Online Business Systems" and not for any of the affiliated companies.   The primary business is listed as MLM & nutritional.   Favorite targets of mine.   In fact all indications are that this is merely a scam to sell Herbalife.

So what do they sell?  Herbalife seems to be the answer.  Though the only thing being sold on the websites is the "information kit" for 9.95 shipping and handling.   Then after 14 days they charge another 39.95 for the full kit.   Remember this is the cost of the INFORMATION KIT.   To actually start a franchise costs more money.

The BBB report lists Amanda Schaffer as the principal owner of the company.   She is also one of "the Real People" the site uses as an endorsement.  Of course she's making money she is the owner.


This site advertises on many radio shows and is proud of that fact.   The thruth is they are no better than other MLM scams out there.   Just because the BBB gave them an A+ rating is no reason to send them any money.   Remember to know what you are buying before you buy it.



Sphere: Related Content

Obama State of the union - Lies and Lies and Lies

I got pretty riled up watching our president give the state of the union address tonight so I started a new blog for my politcal opinion.   It is here http://stateoftheunionlies.blogspot.com Sphere: Related Content