Internet Fraud and SPAM
What is SPAM?
As the use of Electronic Mail increases throughout the world, so has the emergence of Unsolicited Commercial E-mail (UCE), which is more commonly known as "spam." For many consumers, UCE is a time-consuming nuisance. For others, it has been a costly learning experience as they have lost money responding to bogus scams that arrived in their e-mail inbox.
Often, e-mail spammers purchases bulk e-mail addresses from a list broker. These brokers are able to compile addresses from a wide array of electronic "directories". If your e-mail address appears in a newsgroup posting, on a website, in a chat room, or in an online service's membership directory, it may find its way into the hands of a broker. Marketers then use special software capable of sending hundreds of thousands - even millions - of email messages to the addresses at the click of a mouse.
How can I avoid SPAM?
It may not be possible to avoid completely the intrusion of unwanted spam in your inbox. There are, however, a number of ways to minimize your exposure.
The single best way to avoid spam is to keep your e-mail address private. Chatrooms, newsgroups, subscriptions to online services and other interfaces with the Internet all expose your address to list brokers. Of course, this may limit ones ability to use all the many tools available on the web. A more reasonable approach may be to carefully review the privacy policy of websites to which you may be providing your e-mail address. If they do not indicate an intention to keep your address private, you may be opening the door to unwanted e-mail.
In other instances there may be an "opt in" or "opt out" provision. When presented with this option, be sure to carefully read the provisions of the website.
Some consumers keep separate e-mail accounts. One for personal matters, and another which can be used to access newsgroups, chatrooms and other interactive features of the Internet.
E-mail users may also consider the use of a filter. You should check with your ISP to determine if there is an appropriate filtering mechanism available from your e-mail provider.
What are the most common SPAM scams?
With the explosion of spam, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of deceptive and fraudulent messages received by consumers. Commercial e-mail should be treated in the same manner as telephone and mail solicitations — with caution. The Internet is simply a new way for scam artists to pass off their old tricks.
Among the most common:
- The Advance Fee scam (4-1-9 schemes) — Often packaged as an offer from a foreign national, these scams ask for bank account information, blank letterhead and confidentiality in exchange for a percentage of some multi-million dollar payoff. Eventually you must provide up-front or advance fees for various taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees or bribes. Other forms of 4-1-9 schemes include: c.o.d. of goods or services, real estate ventures, purchases of crude oil at reduced prices, beneficiary of a will, recipient of an award and paper currency conversion. For more information visit www.secretservice.gov/alert419.shtml.
- Chain letters — Chain letters promising big returns of money or gifts are illegal in Oregon. Consumers should be wary of any offer which requires them to "continue the chain" or forward a solicitation on to other individuals. Despite grand claims, a chain letter will NEVER make you rich.
- Work-at-home schemes — Not all work at home opportunities deliver on their promises. Often they fail to disclose that the offer requires many hours of work with no pay. Frequently, there are unannounced and hidden costs associated with the program. Countless work at home schemes require you to spend your own money to place newspaper ads; make photocopies; or buy the envelopes, paper, stamps, and other supplies or equipment you need to do the job. Companies sponsoring the ads may require you to pay for instructions or "tutorial" software. These schemes have cost consumers thousands of dollars and many hours of wasted time and energy.
- Weight loss scams — Products and services offering instant and effortless weight loss simply do not work. Weight loss and fitness programs should be carefully reviewed in consultation with a family physician or knowledgeable weight loss professional.
- Adult entertainment sites — Some spammers offer adult content websites offering "free" access or access without a credit card. They direct consumer to download a "dialer" or "viewer." These programs may disconnect your Internet service and redial to a toll charging long distance number with rates up to $7/minute. Some consumers have received bills for tens of thousands of dollars.
What should you do if you receive an e-mail scam?
You can forward e-mail scams to the Department of Justice Consumer Hotline or to the Federal Trade Commission.
Alert your ISP to the unwanted solicitation and the ISP from which the solicitation was sent. Finally, delete the message.
