Issue 40.11
I have a check on my shelf made out to me worth $300,000. I have a new friend in Nigeria who wants to give me $1.2 million dollars. There is a government official in a formerly communist country who heard I was an honest person and wants my help in getting $500,000 to his family that lives here. Most incredibly, I have a good friend that I have known for years that is stranded in Europe on a vacation because his ID and cards were stolen. He needs me to wire him some money so he has food and a place to stay for a few days until the embassy can get him new papers. Funny thing is, I saw him at the grocery store yesterday.
All of these things are true and all of them relate to just some of the many email and online scams that are catching people and stealing their money or identity. In the first case, I received an email indicating they wanted to get this money into the US and were willing to give me 10% for handling it for them. They would send me the certified cashier’s check, I would cash it and immediately send them $270,000 and I could keep the $30,000 that was left. I knew immediately it was a scam but thought I would help out law enforcement. I told the crooks I would help and the check showed up the next day. I called the FBI and told them I was keeping the check, the envelope and all the emails and other info to help in their investigation. They told me there wasn’t anything they could do because the scam originates in another country and the crooks cover their tracks well so they can’t spend time and money chasing them. I did take it to the bank and asked if it was a legitimate check. They confirmed it was a worthless piece of paper.
The other scams are equally ridiculous but people get caught by them every day. The rule of thumb that should be drummed into our heads is “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Another one that might help is “Why would this person trust me with their money?” or “If I had this problem, would I come to me?” A little common sense can avoid a bunch of misery.
The last of these scams is particularly insidious. It is created when the scam artist gets access (hacks) someone’s email account and contact list. They create a non-existent emergency, write an email asking for financial help and send it to everyone on the person’s contact list. Many people don’t take the time to simply call the person at home or on their cell-phone or talk to their neighbors or family to see if the problem is real. A couple of quick phone calls or a few minutes taken to see if the problem is real and the message is legitimate would save giving money or personal information to criminals instead of helping the friend or family member.
As with anything to do with our high-tech world, before you give any information or send money to anyone, take the time to be sure it is legitimate and especially that you are not giving credit card or banking info to anyone unless you are absolutely sure they are who you want to deal with. And always be sure to back up any of your computer information that is important to you – particularly pictures, documents and financial info.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 30 years, 20 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or through his website at www.bitsnbytescomputers.com.