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FBI warns of widespread email scams

Hoax messages attempt to steal money or information Iain Thomson, vnunet.com 19 Jul 2007

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center is warning of three email scams in wide circulation.

The first is a letter claiming to be from the FBI, bearing the seal of the organization and a picture of director Robert S. Mueller III. The email claims that the recipient has won money in a lottery.

The second purports to come from the US Army mailing system and attempts to harvest personal and financial information from the recipient. The email claims that the information will be used to help the armed forces overseas.

The third is a variation of a common scam in which the email claims that an electronic greetings card has been sent. Once the link is clicked on the user is directed to a web page harboring malicious code.

"These spam email messages are hoaxes and should be immediately deleted," said the FBI in a statement.

"Consumers need to be wary of unsolicited emails that request them to take any action even if that means just clicking on an attachment.

"It is possible that by double-clicking on attachments to these messages, recipients will cause malicious software, e.g. viruses, keystroke loggers or other Trojans, to be launched on their computers."

The Internet Crime Complaint Center was set up by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center to combat the growing problem of internet fraud and computer viruses.

This article was printed from the VNU Network
VNU Business Publications
© 2007 All rights reserved

********************* ALERT *********************
Phishing Attacks on the Rise

If you receive an e-mail with the Subject below do NOT reply back to it as it is not a legitimate e-mail, it has NOT come from Thames Valley Communications. We recommend you delete it immediately, empty your trash folder and then, to be on the safe side, do a full system scan with your virus/security software

Subject: Fw: PLEASE PROTECT YOU TVCCONNECT WEBMAIL FROM BEEN CLOSED

NEVER send user name and password information to anyone via e-mail for any reason. TVC would not ask that of you and we would not communicate that sort of private information back to you via e-mail.

SPAM POLICY

Sending unsolicited email is against Thames Valley Communications Acceptable Use Policy. Those that spam other Internet citizens will be warned the first time then blocked. Thames Valley Communications supports all of the current and new State and Federal SPAMMING, Cyber Identity Theft and Internet Child Porn Laws and will assist State and Federal authorities in prosecuting offenders. To learn more of what constitutes spam see TVC SPAM Policy. If you need to contact us concerning spam please e-mail helpdesk@tvcconnect.net.

SPAM E-MAILS

TVC will never send out mass e-mails without first putting a message announcing it on this webpage. In addition, do NOT ever open e-mails from service@tvcconnect.net, postmaster@tvcconnect.net or admin@tvcconnect.net.

Here are a few very simple things to be aware of to avoid the evils of Spam.

1) Do not open e-mails from senders who you do not know
2) If you are suspicious of an e-mail, DELETE IT - no point in taking chances
3) NEVER click on a link within an e-mail from a Spammer or unknown sender
4) NEVER open an attached file from someone who you do not know
5) NEVER reply to an e-mail in an attempt to stop them from reaching you in the future

There is a company on the Internet called "Click Con". They have a web site called www.tvcconnet.net. This is not Thames Valley Communications as our web address is www.tvcconnect.net. They offer prizes. We want you to be aware that these offers are not coming from us!

TVC Acceptable Use Policy
Thames Valley Communications supports all of the current and new State and Federal SPAMMING, Cyber Identity Theft and Internet Child Porn Laws and will assist State and Federal authorities in prosecuting offenders.