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Avoiding Internet Scams
A little education goes a long way!
Fraudulent Messages From “PayPal”
Ignore any messages from PayPal asking you to confirm your account info, password, social security number, etc. Remember that any message from PayPal will address you by your first and last name -- they will NEVER address you as “Dear PayPal User” or “Dear PayPal Member.” Also, PayPal will NEVER ask you for account info, password, Social Security number, or other private information by e-mail. And NEVER click on a link within the email.
What to do?
Forward these messages to uce@ftc.gov, then delete.
Fraudulent Messages From “ebay”
Ignore any messages from ebay asking you to confirm your account info, password, social security number, etc. Remember that any message from ebay will address you by your first and last name -- they will NEVER address you as “Dear ebay User” or “Dear ebay Member.” Also, ebay will NEVER ask you for account info, password, Social Security number, or other private information by e-mail. And NEVER click on a link within the email.
What to do?
Forward these messages to uce@ftc.gov, then delete.
Fraudulent Messages from Banks
Ignore any messages from financial institutions asking you to update your account info online. No reputable institution will ever ask for this kind of information via the internet, and it’s possible that simply clicking on the link provided will infect your computer with viruses, spyware and/or adware.
What to do?
Forward these messages to uce@ftc.gov, then delete.
“Invoices” from Domain Registry, Liberty Names, etc.
Ignore any e-mailed or hard copy “invoices” from Domain Registry of America, Domain Renewal Group, Domain Services or Liberty Names of America asking you to “renew” your domain name registration. This is a ploy to get you to give them money to transfer your domain name to their company and extend the registration period for one year -- at twice the usual price. These folks are now being sued for their deceptive practices.
What to do?
When in doubt, contact MouseWorks to verify an invoice’s authenticity.
Delete or destroy the invoice.
“Invoices” from Search Engine Listing Services
Ignore any invoices for search engine listing services from Internet Corporation Listing Service, Domain Listing Center, ILS, Top Sites, Web Listings Inc or World’s Biggest Directory asking you to subscribe to an annual website search engine listing. They’re just trying to get you to sign up and waste your money.
Messages Accusing You of Violating the Patriot Act
This message frightens you into clicking on the provided link to “correct” your FDIC/bank account information. This action will more than likely infect your computer with viruses, spyware and/or adware.
What to do?
Forward these messages to uce@ftc.gov, then delete.
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