The internet has certainly changed the way we shop, gather information, do business and meet people. There are more than 15 million internet users in the United States alone. However, most people still feel wary about putting their personal information on the net - and their fears are justified. New online scams come up every year, preying on the trusting and the unwitting. This year, a firm called the Consumer Sentinel, a database established by the Federal Trade Commission, disclosed to the public the top scams that are currently running their devious courses on the net.
The most popular and dangerous scams stem from internet auctions, "web cramming", "credit card cramming", pyramid/multi-level scams, service provider fraud, work-at-home cons, dubious investment schemes, health care rip-offs, solicitation scams and travel/ticketing fraud.
Popular net auction fraud is usually perpetrated by groups selling computer software and electronic goods like DVD players on a number of online auction sites. They sell these at cheap prices, take payments from their "winning bidders" and never deliver the items. Another scam takes the form of customers encashing "rebate checks" sent to them by their ISP. This is called the "service provider scam". What their customers don't' know is that by cashing the checks, they make it possible for the service provider to gain access to their phone bills and place fraudulent charges.
"Web cramming" is a scheme where scammers target small businesses and non-profit groups and charge them for a Website page they do not run or own. Sometimes they offer the web page for "free" and then start billing them monthly via their phone bills. Work-at-home scams, such as "medical billing" jobs, are also quite popular. Usually these scammers post ads on various sites on the internet claiming that joining their company will help customers earn a lot of money for a day's work - but not before they ask a "joining fee" to pay for their "training and maintenance expenses".
Pyramid and multi-level get-rich-quick schemes also abound on the Net. These resemble work-at-home scams and deceptively claim that referring their site to a number of people will earn the new recruit a lot of money. These also utilize a number of deceiving testimonials in an effort to look legitimate and trustworthy.
Trying to make the Net safe for everyone is a monumental task, however a large group of consumer protection authorities from 30 countries have come together to create the International Marketing Supervision Network (IMSN). The group's goal is to protect Net consumers, track down scammers and inform the public about the latest fraudulent trends. But while they're doing that, what can YOU do to protect yourself?
Scammers are clever and highly adaptable. While we might never get ahead of these people, OnGuard Online, a site dedicated to informing the public about online fraud, suggests the following tips to protect yourself and your family from online scams: Install and use firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware software before you go online. Scan your computer frequently for spyware and viruses and back up your files. Always protect your personal information, like your address, passwords and credit card numbers. When winning an auction, try to get to know who you are dealing with. If you feel you've been scammed, report the incident to the IMSN immediately.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Fraud