Many scammers use the Internet to promote fraud through uninvited email, commonly known as “spam”. These scams include pyramid schemes, investment opportunities, “Risk Free” opportunities, phishing (Identity theft) and many others. New scams come out every day. Anyone who uses a computer and connects to the Internet needs to be familiar with spam and other types of Internet fraud and take measures to protect themselves and their computers against these types of attack.

Phishing - According to Webster's is "the practice of luring unsuspecting Internet users to a fake Web site by using authentic-looking email with the real organization's logo, in an attempt to steal passwords, financial or personal information, or introduce a virus attack"

Vishing- In this scenario an attempt to persuade consumers either by email, text message, or a telephone call, purportedly from their credit card/debit card company or bank, to divulge their Personally Identifiable Information, claiming their account was suspended, deactivated, or terminated.

Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams - The potential victim is sent an e-mail notification that they have won money. However, to obtain the supposed winnings the winner is told that he/she must pay taxes up front or some other fictitious fee. Sometimes the scammer doesn't require money up front, but asks for the winner's account number, supposedly to deposit the winnings, but really to steal.

Nigerian Scams - This e-mail is supposedly from a citizen of another country (often Nigeria). He writes that he needs your help to gain access to his funds that he cannot touch because of the country's regulations. He offers to greatly reward you for your help. All he needs is your account number, supposedly to transfer the funds, but really so that he can drain your savings. There are many versions of this scam.

Online Auction Scams - In this scenario, the victim is the seller. The buyer sends a cashier's check to the seller for an amount larger than the purchase price. They buyer asks that the difference is sent back to him/her and usually tells the seller that he/she can keep a little extra for the trouble. Even though it is a cashier's check, that doesn't mean that it's safe. This check is later found to be counterfeit and the seller is out the money that they sent back to the buyer.   

  There are many places on the Internet that provide free information on how to protect yourself from Internet Scams. These are some of the sites with helpful information: 

www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml - U.S. Security and Exchange Commission - Complaint Site

http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm#imperson- Federal Bureau of Investigation- list of common fraudulent scams

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ - Federal Trade Commission - ID Theft Home Pagehttp://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx- The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) was established as a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) to serve as a means to receive Internet related criminal complaints and to further research, develop, and refer the criminal complaints to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement and/or regulatory agencies for any investigation they deem to be appropriate. Your Local Internet Service Provider should be able to provide additional web site references regarding scams, phishing and other types of fraud. 

• Consider every email, telephone call, or text message requesting your Personal Identification Information as a scam
• Never click on embedded email or cell phone links
• When contacting your bank; use a telephone number from your statement, a telephone book, or another independent source
• Never give social security numbers, account numbers, passwords, or driver's license numbers over the internet, in an e-mail or by phone if you did not initiate the call to a valid posted phone number for the business
• Sign up for the Do Not Call list
• Check your credit report at least once a year
• As always, pay close attention to your bank statements and financial affairs 

   It is strongly recommended that everyone with a home computer that connects to the Internet have the following on their computer:

·         Anti-Virus Software – Be sure to keep your anti-virus software active and update it frequently. New anti-virus database updates are usually out weekly.

·         Spam Blocking Software – Run this software at least weekly and update it frequently. New updates are usually released every few weeks.

·         Personal Firewall – This helps prevent others from controlling your computer remotely while connected to the Internet.    If you think you are a victim of an Internet fraud, an Internet scam or Identity Theft, here are some suggestions:  

1. Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus to check your credit report and place a fraud alert on your credit file

1. Close the accounts and/or credit cards that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. File a police report and get a copy of the report. Your creditors and others may require a copy of the report to assist you.
2. File a complaint with the FTC (www.ftc.gov/complaint). The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies.
3. Contact the Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) if you believe your Social Security Number has been compromised.
4. Review all billing and bank statements for errors and unknown transactions.
5. Document all activity to include everyone you contact and who has contacted you. Make copies of all correspondence sent and received.