| As the number of people using the Internet as an | | | | details, Bank login, Password, PIN number etc. |
| integral part of their daily life grows, it is inevitable | | | | Once they have these details it is very likely that |
| that the number of Internet Scams will grow. | | | | will have access to your funds and in the worse |
| Unfortunately there are many forms of scams | | | | case your identity. Avoid these scams by never |
| but in this article we will look at three of the most | | | | clicking on a link in an email like these, Banks do |
| prominent.419 fraud or "Nigerian Scams"Also | | | | not sent out emails requesting you login and |
| known as advanced fee fraud (AFF), 4-1-9 scams | | | | confirm your details.Vehicle Sales FraudIf you |
| are named after the section of the Nigerian penal | | | | place an advert online to sell a car, boat, or |
| code that deals with fraud. Although originally | | | | motorcycle you will probably receive one of these |
| originating in Nigeria these scams can originate | | | | scam attempts. You will receive an email from |
| from anywhere. If you fall for one of these at | | | | abroad saying that they would like to buy your |
| best you will lose thousands of dollars; at worst | | | | vehicle and arrange shipping. Once you agree you |
| you will lose your life. These usually start with an | | | | will get a check or bankers draft in the mail within |
| email from a bank official or the relative of a | | | | a few days for the amount you asked for the |
| recently deceased African president or a | | | | vehicle PLUS the shipping fee you will then be |
| government minister informing you that they | | | | asked to contact the shipper and pay him the |
| have access to millions of dollars but need your | | | | extra amount. If you are sensible you will wait for |
| help to get the money out of the country. The | | | | the check to clear then pass on the shipping fee. |
| end result is that when the deal is threatened you | | | | This is what the scammers expect, the check will |
| will be asked for money to secure the release of | | | | only bounce about 3 weeks to a month later at |
| the funds. Do not under any circumstances reply | | | | which point your bank will take back the money |
| to these letters, people have been murdered | | | | leaving you short of the shipping money. The best |
| while following up with these scams.PhishingPhishing | | | | way of avoiding this fraud is not to sell your |
| scams can be very elaborate, scammers send | | | | vehicle to someone who wants to pay the |
| out emails to millions of internet addresses | | | | shipper.I hope all this hasn't scared you away |
| purporting to be from a financial institution, and | | | | from the Internet, If you are sensible and wary |
| requiring you to log in and confirm your details. | | | | about offers that seem too good to be true then |
| The email looks authentic and contains a link that | | | | you should be Ok, just apply the same |
| you need to click. If you happen to have an | | | | commonsense you use in everyday life, after all if |
| account at the bank featured in the scam then it's | | | | a stranger walked up to you in the street and |
| a very natural thing to click the link and login to | | | | said "Hi I am from your bank what's your credit |
| "your" account except it's not your account or | | | | card number and PIN" would you give it to |
| even your bank. It will be a website setup by the | | | | them?Mark Thompson ran an IT consultancy in |
| scammers to extract as much information from | | | | London for many years . |
| you as possible, Name, Address Credit card | | | | |