SCAM ALERT! "Work-From-Home" Scam

1.  9/21/12 - Update:  Computer security remains a major point of criminal entry into private lives -- creating much personal havoc and destruction and social productivity loss.  It still seems that not everyone believes they can better their lives without ruining others.  They are changing the way we have to deal with our "Internet miracle."   So be it. 

A foremost recommendation is to change our daily routines.

It is becoming imperative to check on-line bank and credit accounts, 
EVERY DAY (or more), so that criminal activity can be detected promptly and dealt with.
Sooner is always better in this case.

Two other blog articles, here, have touched on the subject of computer/financial security, as follows:

• COMPUTER SECURITY!!! Lock Down Your Facebook Profile
• INTERNET SECURITY -- Protecting Bank and Facebook Accounts
• More will surely follow

2.  First published: 2/12/12 -- Editor's Note --  The below article is, by far, the most popular one on this blog.  As long as demand remains so high, I will keep it near the top of the "bulletin board."  I hope it is doing as much good as it seems to be doing.

THE SCAM
Interested in checking on other scams? try ConsumerAffairs.Com AND this Google Search

THE STORY

1.  Purpose.  This posting is to caution you about a MALICIOUS email that has been circulating for quite a while -- on which evidence is now CONCLUSIVE that this is much worse than a hoax.  You should be wary -- for you stand to be harmed!

2.  Background. Over the last few months, versions of this highly "suspicious" email have reached me, identical to the examples contained in this "Internet Patrol" site article, which evaluates the exact version of the email I received.

THE MALICIOUS MATERIAL IS VERY WELL DONE AND LOOKS ENTIRELY GENUINE -- AND EVEN CLEVERLY TAILORS ITSELF TO YOUR CITY . (e.g., "Rebecca Schwartz, a mom from Antioch, CA says....")

3.  Reviews of this suspicious EMAIL-TYPE, by the reputable fact-checking site, Snopes.com, produces over 100 different versions of this money-stealing ATTACK on victims.  Apparently, this vicious scheme works well enough for others to copy in order to victimize the unwary.

4.  What should you do about this?  It's still a sad truth that "what sounds too good to be true," usually isn't true -- and desperation often makes us take chances we shouldn't. (Who isn't greedy about trying to make the most of life?  We just have to be REALISTIC in our expectations -- and keep on fact-checking == BEFORE GRABBING FOR A LIFE-RING THAT TURNS OUT TO BE AN ANCHOR.)

Note: Interested in checking on other scams? try ConsumerAffairs.Com AND this Google Search

FOR FURTHER "HOAX-Insurance" -- before believing and/or passing along interesting emails, purporting to be factual, it is very important to "fact-check" them.

• A leading, highly reputable fact-checker website (within the fact-checking industry and the public, at large) is Snopes.com.  They conduct factual analyses -- first showing some of the various ways the suspicious information is presented; then examining them, point-by-point; and then concluding with recommendations as to whether the material is false or true or mixed.
• Be especially leery if the suspicious material is presented to you "unsigned," (i.e. with no clear indication as to who authored it).  Even if signed, it doesn't hurt to have a habit of checking with Snopes -- can usually be done in just a few minutes.
• Then, if found to be bad information, you can properly (1) not send the garbage any further or (2) send it along -- WITH a warning of your findings.  The second option is preferable, since this enables others to be served with good and helpful information, should they ever be confronted with the material again (and they probably will be).

HELP PROTECT THE PURITY & UTILITY
 OF THE HUMAN KNOWLEDGE BASE!

Tag: "Scams, Fraud"

454