| Welcome to Womens Work Station Online Newsletter Issue #10 November 30, 2006 |
| This weeks issue: Christmas Email Scam Alerts Valuable Info: - Protect Yourself From Identity Theft - Online and Offline Try Trend Micro - Internet Security - For FREE |
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Womens Work Station
| Womens Work Station www.womensworkstation.com Online Newsletter Issue #10 Christmas Email Scam Alerts |
| Christmas Email Scams Phishing Identity Theft |
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Newsletters:
Christmas Email Scam Alerts
The Email Scammers are really busy...getting their Christmas email scam
campaigns underway. I get many emails everyday, and many emails go
straight to my Bulk Email folder, which I usually just delete. However, over
the past two weeks, I have been paying close attention to the scam emails.
Here are my findings:
1) Paypal Email Scams
2) Phishing Emails from Fifth Third Bank
3) Phishing Emails from Wells Fargo Online
4) Phishing Emails from Bank Of America Security Department
5) Phishing Emails from Royal Bank Of Canada
6) Phishing Emails from Walmart Internet Stores
7) $20 Reward Survey from Santa Barbara Bank & Trust Online Department
8) $500 Gift Card From Toys 'R' Us
I never click on a link in an email to login into my PayPal account. I always
type the address into my address bar, just to be on the safe side. I use:
https://www.paypal.com/row The "s" stands for Secure Lock Server
If PayPal does send you an email, or needs additional information, that will be
stated on your account, no matter if you click on their link or login yourself
from the address bar. Here are copies of two PayPal Emails, which I
forwarded to the complaint department at PayPal. PayPal also sent a return
email, stating these were scams:
The Email Scammers are really busy...getting their Christmas email scam
campaigns underway. I get many emails everyday, and many emails go
straight to my Bulk Email folder, which I usually just delete. However, over
the past two weeks, I have been paying close attention to the scam emails.
Here are my findings:
1) Paypal Email Scams
2) Phishing Emails from Fifth Third Bank
3) Phishing Emails from Wells Fargo Online
4) Phishing Emails from Bank Of America Security Department
5) Phishing Emails from Royal Bank Of Canada
6) Phishing Emails from Walmart Internet Stores
7) $20 Reward Survey from Santa Barbara Bank & Trust Online Department
8) $500 Gift Card From Toys 'R' Us
I never click on a link in an email to login into my PayPal account. I always
type the address into my address bar, just to be on the safe side. I use:
https://www.paypal.com/row The "s" stands for Secure Lock Server
If PayPal does send you an email, or needs additional information, that will be
stated on your account, no matter if you click on their link or login yourself
from the address bar. Here are copies of two PayPal Emails, which I
forwarded to the complaint department at PayPal. PayPal also sent a return
email, stating these were scams:
Subject Line: PayPal Verify
Dear users of PayPal services,
First, they tell you they need to
update your information, and that
you have to verify your account.
Then they give you a link to Click On
(login)
At the end of the email, they state:
Due to upcoming year 2006, and
recent changes in PayPal's Service
Agreement you need to submit
additional details on your PayPal
account. Starting from 2006 all
PayPal accounts will come with
complete detailed information!
Identity protection matters. And
PayPal works day and night to help
keep your identity safe.
According the new changes in
Service Agreement any unverified
account will be deleted from the
system in 72 hours after receiving
this letter.
Dear users of PayPal services,
First, they tell you they need to
update your information, and that
you have to verify your account.
Then they give you a link to Click On
(login)
At the end of the email, they state:
Due to upcoming year 2006, and
recent changes in PayPal's Service
Agreement you need to submit
additional details on your PayPal
account. Starting from 2006 all
PayPal accounts will come with
complete detailed information!
Identity protection matters. And
PayPal works day and night to help
keep your identity safe.
According the new changes in
Service Agreement any unverified
account will be deleted from the
system in 72 hours after receiving
this letter.
From: Paypal Inc." <acc-overview@paypal.com>
Subject Line: Update your PayPal account informations
Notification of Limited Account Access
As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in the PayPal
system. We recently noticed the following issue on your account:
Unusual account activity has made it necessary to limit sensitive account
features until additional verification information can be collected.
We have been notified that a card associated with your account has been
reported as lost or stolen, or that there were additional problems with your
card.
Then they list a Case ID number
Next they want you to click on a confirmation link to verify account
Please understand that this is a security measure intended to help protect
you and your account. We apologize for any inconvenience.
If you choose to ignore our request, you leave us no choice but to
temporary suspend your account.
Sincerely,
PayPal Account Review Department
Subject Line: Update your PayPal account informations
Notification of Limited Account Access
As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in the PayPal
system. We recently noticed the following issue on your account:
Unusual account activity has made it necessary to limit sensitive account
features until additional verification information can be collected.
We have been notified that a card associated with your account has been
reported as lost or stolen, or that there were additional problems with your
card.
Then they list a Case ID number
Next they want you to click on a confirmation link to verify account
Please understand that this is a security measure intended to help protect
you and your account. We apologize for any inconvenience.
If you choose to ignore our request, you leave us no choice but to
temporary suspend your account.
Sincerely,
PayPal Account Review Department
They either threaten to suspend or delete your account. To become verified through PayPal is totally your own
choice. PayPal would never delete your account based on that fact. After I read the first email, I logged onto
PayPal. There was no updates or News to confirm that so called policy change. Scam Emails received from
Fifth Third Bank, Wells Fargo, Bank Of America, Royal Bank Of Canada, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust all followed
the same format. They all had some reason to confirm information. Subject lines: Urgent Security Notification For
Clients,Account Confirmation Procedure, $20 Reward Survey, etc. DON"T OPEN.......DELETE!!!!!!
Remember that the effects of Identity Theft last a long time.
Here are a few examples of these Christmas Email Scams A.K.A. Phishing Scams, leading to Identity Theft:
choice. PayPal would never delete your account based on that fact. After I read the first email, I logged onto
PayPal. There was no updates or News to confirm that so called policy change. Scam Emails received from
Fifth Third Bank, Wells Fargo, Bank Of America, Royal Bank Of Canada, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust all followed
the same format. They all had some reason to confirm information. Subject lines: Urgent Security Notification For
Clients,Account Confirmation Procedure, $20 Reward Survey, etc. DON"T OPEN.......DELETE!!!!!!
Remember that the effects of Identity Theft last a long time.
Here are a few examples of these Christmas Email Scams A.K.A. Phishing Scams, leading to Identity Theft:
Dear Wells Fargo customer,
We recently reviewed your account, and we suspect an
unauthorized ATM based transaction on your account. Therefore as
a preventive measure we have temporary limited your access to
sensitive Wells Fargo features. To ensure that your account is not
compromised please login to your Online Banking, verify your
identity and your online account will be reactived by our system.
SERVICE: Wells Fargo Online Banking and Bill Pay services.
What you need to do:
They give you a login confirmation link
- Enter your User ID and Password
- Enter the requested information and your Online Banking and Bill
Pay services will be reactived.
Thank you for using Wells Fargo
Note: Wells Fargo are not liable for any fraudulent charges to their
accounts
**********************************
IMPORTANT CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION
**********************************
We are committed to delivering your quality service that is reliable
and highly secure. This email is one of many components designed
to ensure your information is safeguarded at all times.
Please do not reply to this message. For any inquiries, contact
Customer Service.
Dear Bank of America Customer,
Due to recent fraudulent activities on
some of Bank of America online
accounts we are launching a new
security system to make
Bank of America online accounts more
secure and safe. Before we can
activate it we will be checking all Bank
of America online accounts to confirm
the authenticity of the holder.
Click on Confirmation Link
We will require a confirmation that your
account has not been
stolen or hacked. Your account has not
been suspended or frozen.
***********************************
Due to recent fraudulent activities on
some of Bank of America online
accounts we are launching a new
security system to make
Bank of America online accounts more
secure and safe. Before we can
activate it we will be checking all Bank
of America online accounts to confirm
the authenticity of the holder.
Click on Confirmation Link
We will require a confirmation that your
account has not been
stolen or hacked. Your account has not
been suspended or frozen.
***********************************
Subject:Take This $20 Reward Survey
CONGRATULATIONS! You have been
chosen by the Santa Barbara Bank &
Trust Online Department to take part in
our quick and easy 5 question survey.
In return we will credit $20 to your
account - Just for your time! Helping us
better understand how our customers
feel benefits everyone. With the
information collected we can decide to
direct a number of changes to improve
and expand our online service. We
kindly ask you to spare two minutes of
your time in taking part with this unique
offer!
To get started Click Here
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust
CONGRATULATIONS! You have been
chosen by the Santa Barbara Bank &
Trust Online Department to take part in
our quick and easy 5 question survey.
In return we will credit $20 to your
account - Just for your time! Helping us
better understand how our customers
feel benefits everyone. With the
information collected we can decide to
direct a number of changes to improve
and expand our online service. We
kindly ask you to spare two minutes of
your time in taking part with this unique
offer!
To get started Click Here
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust
The BEST one for me was the email from Walmart. They sent me an order confirmation. Apparently I bought some
Sanyo product from an online Walmart Internet store. Value $2449.99 plus about $32 in shipping charges. They
want me to confirm, so they can send out my product. They attach an Order Summary in PDF format with a self
extracting archive file. I am to download this file. Then they will send me another email with tracking information.
I never bought anything. This email kind of made me mad, but I just deleted it. NO DOWNLOADS!! I'm guessing that
some people might get angry, download the file, in an effort to clarify the circumstances. Don't Get Angry. Never
Download Anything. Fight back the smart way. Report the email as spam to your Email provider. As far as
Toys 'R' Us is concerned, there was a link to click on as well to claim the $500 Gift Card. For myself, I have not
recently visited either Walmart or Toys 'R' US websites, and I have never subscribed to any of their newsletters. If
these companies have promotions or contests, they would list it on their websites.
Sanyo product from an online Walmart Internet store. Value $2449.99 plus about $32 in shipping charges. They
want me to confirm, so they can send out my product. They attach an Order Summary in PDF format with a self
extracting archive file. I am to download this file. Then they will send me another email with tracking information.
I never bought anything. This email kind of made me mad, but I just deleted it. NO DOWNLOADS!! I'm guessing that
some people might get angry, download the file, in an effort to clarify the circumstances. Don't Get Angry. Never
Download Anything. Fight back the smart way. Report the email as spam to your Email provider. As far as
Toys 'R' Us is concerned, there was a link to click on as well to claim the $500 Gift Card. For myself, I have not
recently visited either Walmart or Toys 'R' US websites, and I have never subscribed to any of their newsletters. If
these companies have promotions or contests, they would list it on their websites.
Yesterday I received a call from a 1-800 number and it was Wells Fargo Bank. They specifically
asked for me, and told me that my business had been pre-approved for a $100,000 loan. No annual
fees EVER, and low interest rate. No collateral required. All I had to do was answer some questions,
give some personal information, which would only take about 4 minutes, and they would send out the
paperwork. I told them I was not interested. So, after listening to them rave about what a "good deal"
this was, doesn't cost me anything, only takes 4 minutes to register...the telemarketing lady gave a
sigh of frustration, thanked me for my time (at least she was polite) and that was the end of the
conversation.
After opening two emails from Wells Fargo Bank, I really did not have any interest in speaking with
them via phone. I don't require a loan at this time, and I do not wish to be a victim of Identity Theft.
Donation calls, for me, have also skyrocketed. Yesterday, this guy called. I asked him right off the
hop, if this was for a Donation. He completely ignored me, and started in on his "speech" not giving
me a chance to put a word in edgewise. Then he asked for a donation of $20. I told him no...that we
could not afford it at this time....and that I was currently receiving up to 10 donation calls per week
via phone. He couldn't get any money out of me, and just rudely hung up. I was ticked. At least they
could be polite.
Donation calls, credit card approvals, bank loan approvals...these kinds of calls have drastically
increased for me within the past few weeks. The callers always ask for me. I'm assuming they get
my phone number from my privacy page on my website. As a Webmaster, I am supposed to list my
phone number, to prove that I am legitimate, to verify myself. I enjoy speaking to customers who do
call me. However, due to these scam calls, I have had no choice but to remove my phone number.
Those who wish to speak to me, can email me, and I will call you, If you so desire. Right now, I dread
even answering my phone. I think the legitimacy factor runs down both ways of the internet street.
I live in Manitoba, Canada. In the city of Winnipeg, crimes relating to purse snatching and muggings
have also greatly increased. The targets are women and the elderly. Two women have been beaten,
walking from the parking lot to the building at which they work. One lady was beaten so badly, her
co-workers could not recognize her. An elderly man was stabbed and robbed. Women are warned to
grasp their purses tightly and not leave them in shopping carts. Thieves sit in the parking lots, wait
for the opportunity, drive by with their window open, snatch the purse, and they are gone. Along with
the purse goes not only the money, but all forms of ID.....perfect for Identity Theft.
Also, see my Work At Home Scams Page, and view the ATM Scam. It takes a little while to
download, but it is worth viewing, for your own protection. NEVER give your PIN for your Debit Card
to anyone else, even if the machine does not work. Have someone call the authorities for you.
Bottom Line is....have a safe and happy Christmas. Protect yourself from Identity Theft, both online
and offline. Scammers and thieves are finding all kinds of ways to get your information, get your
money, or scam you. Be Scam Smart.....Don't be a victim of Identity Theft.
--Elaine Dorvault, Webmaster at Womens Work Station
asked for me, and told me that my business had been pre-approved for a $100,000 loan. No annual
fees EVER, and low interest rate. No collateral required. All I had to do was answer some questions,
give some personal information, which would only take about 4 minutes, and they would send out the
paperwork. I told them I was not interested. So, after listening to them rave about what a "good deal"
this was, doesn't cost me anything, only takes 4 minutes to register...the telemarketing lady gave a
sigh of frustration, thanked me for my time (at least she was polite) and that was the end of the
conversation.
After opening two emails from Wells Fargo Bank, I really did not have any interest in speaking with
them via phone. I don't require a loan at this time, and I do not wish to be a victim of Identity Theft.
Donation calls, for me, have also skyrocketed. Yesterday, this guy called. I asked him right off the
hop, if this was for a Donation. He completely ignored me, and started in on his "speech" not giving
me a chance to put a word in edgewise. Then he asked for a donation of $20. I told him no...that we
could not afford it at this time....and that I was currently receiving up to 10 donation calls per week
via phone. He couldn't get any money out of me, and just rudely hung up. I was ticked. At least they
could be polite.
Donation calls, credit card approvals, bank loan approvals...these kinds of calls have drastically
increased for me within the past few weeks. The callers always ask for me. I'm assuming they get
my phone number from my privacy page on my website. As a Webmaster, I am supposed to list my
phone number, to prove that I am legitimate, to verify myself. I enjoy speaking to customers who do
call me. However, due to these scam calls, I have had no choice but to remove my phone number.
Those who wish to speak to me, can email me, and I will call you, If you so desire. Right now, I dread
even answering my phone. I think the legitimacy factor runs down both ways of the internet street.
I live in Manitoba, Canada. In the city of Winnipeg, crimes relating to purse snatching and muggings
have also greatly increased. The targets are women and the elderly. Two women have been beaten,
walking from the parking lot to the building at which they work. One lady was beaten so badly, her
co-workers could not recognize her. An elderly man was stabbed and robbed. Women are warned to
grasp their purses tightly and not leave them in shopping carts. Thieves sit in the parking lots, wait
for the opportunity, drive by with their window open, snatch the purse, and they are gone. Along with
the purse goes not only the money, but all forms of ID.....perfect for Identity Theft.
Also, see my Work At Home Scams Page, and view the ATM Scam. It takes a little while to
download, but it is worth viewing, for your own protection. NEVER give your PIN for your Debit Card
to anyone else, even if the machine does not work. Have someone call the authorities for you.
Bottom Line is....have a safe and happy Christmas. Protect yourself from Identity Theft, both online
and offline. Scammers and thieves are finding all kinds of ways to get your information, get your
money, or scam you. Be Scam Smart.....Don't be a victim of Identity Theft.
--Elaine Dorvault, Webmaster at Womens Work Station
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my computer, and I am totally
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collects your personal info, is
also detected and removed. This
program gives me peace of mind
and a feeling of protection.