It seems I write a tip about email scams (i.e. phishing) every year and this year is no exception.
Usually the warning about the current email scams being sent are for Paypal and banks. This year however I am writing about the most recent US email scam supposedly being sent by the Internal Revenue Service.
Now you may have heard on the news that people are trying to steal the current US tax rebates by making phone calls and sending fake emails. Let me tell you it's TRUE. Yesterday I received in my personal email inbox a message with an official IRS logo at the top and it said,
"Over 130 million Americans will receive refunds as part of President Bush program to jumpstart the economy.
Our records indicate that you are qualified to receive the 2008 Economic Stimulus Refund.
The fastest and easiest way to receive your refund is by direct deposit to your checking/savings account.
Please click on the link and fill out the form and submit before May 01th, 2008 to ensure that your refund will be processed as soon as possible.
Submitting your form on May 01th, 2008 or later means that your refund will be delayed due to the volume of requests we anticipate for the Economic Stimulus Refund.
To access Economic Stimulus Refund, please click here. http://newsar.us/edcart/prodgfx/help.php
© Copyright 2008, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A. All rights reserved."
Did I click that link? NO! And neither should you.
Because you're a savvy internet marketer you're probably already aware of these types of scams. You already know not to click the links in emails that say your Paypal account needs to be updated or verified. You never click email from banks and credit card companies saying they need you to re-enter your personal information for some reason. If you want to check and make sure your accounts are up to date you always go to your account's site by typing in the url you always use to login.
However just because you already know how to avoid being a victim of the current email scams doesn't mean everyone does. So today I'm asking you to spread the word to your not so computer savvy friends, relatives, and readers. These scams only work on those who are less knowledgeable and less experienced than you.
The victims of these scams are usually those who can afford it the least. They are trusting individuals who believe that every email they get has been personally written to them. They are people who use a computer for email, shopping and maybe online games. And of course, the elderly make up the largest percentage of this group.
So let's make this year the last year I have to write a tip about the current email scams by spreading the word to everyone.
To Your Success,
Susan
P.S. Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts about this tip.
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