The Scam Alert Blog

Protect Yourself from Internet Scam Operations Using This Tool
By Casey Yew

WHOIS Domain Name Search:

Have you ever tried looking for a domain name with the use of the WHOIS domain name search? If yes, then great for you! But for those who have not heard about the WHOIS domain name search, then you should read on for you to discover the wonder of this particular thing.

On the Internet, every domain registrar maintains a WHOIS database containing all contact information for the domains they ‘host’. This WHOIS database contains information about a domain name including name server, registrar and full contact information. Internet Network Information Center (InterNIC, http://www.internic.com) maintains a central registry WHOIS database that contains only the registrar and name server information for all .com, .net and .org domains

So, when we perform a WHOIS domain name search, we are using a WHOIS tool to look up contact information for a domain name from one of these WHOIS databases on the Internet. The WHOIS database will return the registration information that is intended for domain names. The name and the contact details for the domain name holder and the domain name administrator will be presented. It is important to know that the contact information for domain names under the hands of the WHOIS domain name database may vary depending on the registrar.

WHOIS Tool:

You can use the following tools to run a WHOIS domain name search:

• http://who.godaddy.com/whoischeck.aspx

• http://www.checkdomain.com

The Use of WHOIS Domain Name Search:

1. Check Your Own Domain Name: Many experts said that it is necessary when you do a WHOIS domain name search on your own domain name, you should verify that your contact details are accurate. If you encounter errors in the domain name details, you could fix errors on your domain names by contacting your web hosting company.

2. Website Background Check: You can find out how long a website has been around, who owns it, and where that company or individual is actually located by doing a WHOIS domain name search. You will be able to spot a scam operation by comparing the information you find from the search with the information that is shown on the website. For example, if a website claims that it has been in operation for many years but your findings show that the domain name they use has just been created a week ago, you may not want to trust this website.

In some cases, you may not get any information from WHOIS domain name search if the domain name is protected by domain name protection service.

Domain Name Protection:

Some web hosting companies provide domain name protection service that will help a website owner to protect his or her privacy. Domain name protection service protects website owner’s identity from domain-related spams. With this service, only the domain name protection service contact information will be shown in the WHOIS domain name search. Website owner’s contact information is kept completely private. The website owner still owns the domain name. He or she can cancel, sell, renew or transfer the domain.

- Free Domain Name (http://www.currentwebhosting.com) -
- $10K Worth of Resell Rights Products Giveway (http://www.highreturnbusiness.com) -
- Free Classified Ads for Subscribers. (http://www.tipandaction.com) -

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Casey_Yew
http://EzineArticles.com/?Protect-Yourself-from-Internet-Scam-Operations-Using-This-Tool&id=235965

Internet Scams - The 21st Century Crime - Are You a Victim?
By Bernard Pragides

The 21st century is characterized by various changes in the political as well as in the economic aspects of the present society. Governments are now harmoniously cooperating with other governments to strengthen political ties with each other.

The creation of regionalized bodies, such as the European Union, is a proof that stable economic outlook is significant to
neighboring countries. In other words, such changes on the international society is expected rather than planned.

However, for the majority of population, the 21st century is more associated with another change rather than political and economical. For them, the present era is more of technological transformation, which is responsible for the sudden change in the political and economic aspect of the present society. Modern communication, through its digital advancement, has paved the way for economic growth because of additional employment.

In the same way, international concerns are easily addressed using such modern communication. The development of previous inventions, such as steam trains to bullet trains, is a proof that present society is coping up with the changes of the present era.

Speaking of inventions, would you believe that the Internet is one of the best technological inventions ever made in the history of mankind? In addition, the Internet is not spared from innovation—in fact, the Internet is not just the famous Information Superhighway, but it is also a catalyst for economic development.

You need not go out of your house just to buy your personal needs. Just get your credit card, log on to a shopping website over the Internet, and let them handle the transaction for you. In a few hours your needs would be delivered at your doorstep—all within a few clicks of your computer keyboard and mouse.

Earning an income is also a great possibility over the Internet. There are thousands of home-based opportunities to start with. You may join various affiliate marketing programs, create your own website and use it as an advertising bulletin over the Internet, or “buy and sell” home-made products on the web. These are all certain possibilities over the Internet in the 21st century.

However, as the Internet expands its doors to future online entrepreneurs, scams are also making its way in the online community. Check your email and you might encounter various offers promising you millions of dollars or even your dream house at a low cost. It may look extremely convincing at the first glance, yet you may realize later on that it is just an old Internet scam after all.

Ten million victims.

Five billion U.S. dollars.

That is the numerical statistics which the Federal Bureau of Investigation gathered from 2003 to 2004 with regards to online scam cases. Previous annual statistics showed that there were only 4.5 million Internet scam victims and some $2.3 billion worth of financial damages. However, despite of the information disseminated about Internet scams, many individuals still fall into the hungry claws of Internet crooks. Thus, the figure of the victims and revenues lost were doubled on the succeeding year. What’s worse is that authorities fear that the statistics may triple on the next three to four years if individuals will still fail to avoid such Internet scams and warnings against them.

If you do not have an idea of what an Internet scam looks like, check the following and ask yourself if you have already become a victim of these vicious online scams. Here is just a few of them.

1. Online Lottery Scams. Ask an Internet expert and he will answer you one thing: He has never met anyone who actually made money out of online lottery. Keep in mind that lottery is a “game of chance”, thus there is no way to predict the result of a lottery draw. Do not be fooled.

2. Online Casino Scams. Gambling goes online. Admit it; they are making millions of dollars compared to land-based casino operations. Thus, expect to meet some “E-book” crooks who will grab the opportunity of selling you their products supposedly containing the formula to winning online casino games. Again, just like a lottery draw, a casino game is still a game of chance, and there is no way to predict the results.

3. Dating Scams on the Internet. It is one of the hottest selling items on the Internet. If you are desperate enough to find your lifetime partner, you may try looking for him/her through these online dating sites. But beware; you maybe chatting with someone who is out to collect money from you and stay away from you for good after.

You are intelligent enough. This is the 21st century—an era when technological development is used by other people trying to cheat you. Always be a step ahead of these crooks and beware of such and other Internet scams.

Author and internet entrepreneur Bernard Pragides offers expert advice and tips regarding identity theft. Learn more about identity theft and fraud by visiting his blog at http://www.identity4life-blog.com and his website http://www.IdentityProtek.com for more helpful information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bernard_Pragides
http://EzineArticles.com/?Internet-Scams—The-21st-Century-Crime—Are-You-a-Victim?&id=474433

Watch Out for These Internet Scams - Be Cyberstreet Smart
By Bernard Pragides

The Internet can be a wonderful world of information and entertainment. But it can also be a very dangerous world. Predators are lurking around every virtual corner, waiting to pounce on your personal information and use it to ruin your life. You must educate yourself about the dangers of the Internet so that you can become “cyber street smart.” This article will give you the basics of what to watch out for to avoid Internet scams.

The first Internet scam is the Nigerian scam. This scam has been around even before the Internet existed. It goes back as far as the 1920’s when it was dubbed the “Spanish Prisoner” con. It goes something like this. You receive an email that says a large sum of money needs to be transferred out of the country. In exchange for transferring millions of dollars into your account, you get to keep a small percentage of it for your trouble. Trouble is the operative word here. Once you agree to this scam, you never see a penny. However, you will probably notice a lot of money going out of your account as you are asked to pay a countless array of “fees” before you can get the money transferred to your account.

The next scam is the pre-approved credit card or loan scam. You will be “guaranteed” a huge loan or a credit card after you pay the up-front fee. Stop and think. Why would a legitimate financial institution offer you a loan or credit card without a credit check? This does not even make good business sense. The scammers tend to target people who are down on their luck financially. The end result is, you lose the money paid in the up-fee and never receive your huge line of credit.

Another common Internet scam is the “overpayment of items” scam. This scam will target people who have listed an item for sale in the classifieds. Sellers on Ebay are a prime target also. Someone will contact you, offering to pay you a lot more than your asking price. The reason they may give will vary. It can be anything from expensive international shipping fees to being desperate to acquire the item for a relative’s birthday. You will receive the money order or cashier’s check and then you ship the item. But the trouble starts after you cash the check or the money order. A few weeks later you find out that the money order was stolen or the cashier’s check was forged and the bank is now demanding payment in full. You are now out the selling price of the item and the item itself. A lot of banks have stopped cashing money orders for this very reason.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Internet scams. There are many, many, more out there. It is vitally important that you educate yourself and become cyber street smart to protect yourself and your family from these Internet scams.

Author and internet entrepreneur Bernard Pragides offers expert advice and tips regarding identity theft. Learn more about identity theft and fraud by visiting his blog at http://www.identity4life-blog.com and his website http://www.IdentityProtek.com for more helpful information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bernard_Pragides
http://EzineArticles.com/?Watch-Out-for-These-Internet-Scams—Be–Cyberstreet-Smart&id=574778

Online Fraud and Other Internet Crime
By Andy Bolton

A new breed of criminal is rising; the techno-thief as technology has improved vastly over the last decade the criminal element within our society has evolved with it to become a very serious threat to our property and identity.

In the online world this is where crooks can hide behind emails, websites and fake or stolen identities. Unfortunately for us they would like to get their hands on our money and would seem to stop at nothing to get at it.

In the online banking world there are a few tips and tricks that you need to follow to help you prevent being techno-robbed. When I worked as a systems admin for a company I was fed up of people using very simple crack able passwords i.e. using their car number plate or birthday etc.

I devised a quick program that blocked using personal data and implemented it. I also did a quick slide show on the importance of protecting your password which is vital in securing your funds.

I mainly emphasised about password strength I tend to use two words with a number in the middle with control characters at the beginning and end. This works well as when your password expires after ninety days on most systems you just up the number in the middle. Very easy to remember and retain control of the information.

Remember the important issues associated with online banking a bank will never ask for your PIN or your account password however they may ask you for maybe 2 digits of it in different places.

There is a program that I came across some years ago where you could pretend to be any server i.e. you could pretend to be sending mails from the Microsoft server and this I found was a particular threat as many people are still falling for email phishing.

Apart from a prank there was pulled this software has some very dangerous uses many people have eBay or PayPal accounts. These companies will only send you an email in their respective email inboxes. Any other email is likely to be bogus if in any doubt forward the email to the respective company.

eBay do a very good job of collecting these emails and promoting information on their site about fraudulent activities. The best weapon against online fraud is to keep up to date with scam websites in forums.

Internet scams are very damaging and as more and more business is done online there will be potential for criminals to do real financial damage. Think carefully about online offers. A recent quite serious survey was performed by the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) these are the people responsible for licensing drugs and protecting the end user ourselves from harm. They bought Viagra from various sources of the internet and traced if it was genuine or fake.

There was an alarming amount of fake drugs on the internet. The real drug can always be traced back to the source, having worked in the pharmaceutical business as an automation validation engineer I can tell you that drug traceability is taken very seriously indeed.

This example is something that you would put inside yourself so you need to be very careful what you order and always get good recommendations of trusted websites. Perform a who is search and find who owns the website etc.

Always be careful online be safe with your money, passwords, credit card information. Buy from recommended websites or ones where you can go and see the company if you have a complaint.

© 2007 Andy Bolton 39 Liverpool,
http://www.bravemain.com
http://www.romanian-bride.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Bolton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Online-Fraud-and-Other-Internet-Crime&id=579454

Online Job Scams and Identity Theft-What Every Job Hunter Needs to Know
By Jason Dick

There are three main types of common online job scams:

1. Phony Job Offers-With this type of scam, Internet thieves create fake, but convincing job ads, which they then post either on legitimate job boards or bogus websites that are made to look like real company websites.
2. ID Checks-With this type of scam, the Internet thief will request personal identification from you, i.e. driver’s license, passport, bank account number or credit card number to run a credit check or other report before continuing with the job application process.
3. Personal Invitations-The Internet crook sends you an email claiming to have seen your online resume’ or personal web page and notes how your skills match a position they have to offer, and invites you to fill out an online job application containing personal information.

To avoid online job-hunting scams follow these basic rules when applying for jobs online:

*Be leery of any spam email offering you assistance in looking for a job.
*Never provide any non-work related personal information, for example, credit card, date of birth, or home address through email or on your online resume’.
*Enter website addresses into your browser instead of clicking links when surfing job sources.
*Watch out for spelling errors in job ads, email addresses that do not bear the company’s name and other inconsistencies.
*Be especially leery of job offers from businesses outside of the United States and Canada, as they are more
often suspect and can be difficult to investigate.

*If a prospective employer requests a background check, agree to it only after having met them at their company location during regular business hours.
*Create an exclusive Web-based email address for all non-personal information.
*Never agree to deposit checks or money orders or to have money wired to your account. And don’t forward money from your account to another, even if you’re promised you’ll be reimbursed. These checks will be counterfeit and the wire transfers will be rescinded.

*Verify the existence of a potential employer by checking through an agency like the BBB (Better Business Bureau) online or through a phone book and then contact them directly or visit them in person at the company location during regular business hours.

If you believe you have been the victim of an online job-hunting scam or identify theft, follow these steps immediately to protect your identity and help stop the criminals:

*Report the ad immediately to the organization who listed the ad.
*Report it also to the Federal Trade Commission
*Report it to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center
*Close any affected accounts.
*Speak with the security or fraud department of every financial institution you deal with, including credit card companies, utilities, Internet Service Providers and anyone who has access to your personal information.
*Place a fraud alert on your credit reports.

Equifax: (800) 525-6285
Experian (888) 397-3742
TransUnion (800) 680-7289

*Get a copy of your credit report and ask that no new credit be granted you without your approval.
*Make sure your account is flagged with a fraud alert tag and a victim’s statement and insist the alert remains active for a maximum of seven years.
*Send all of these requests in writing and maintain them for your records.
*File a police report with your local police and keep a copy of it to show your bank, credit card company or other creditors that you have been the victim of a crime and are not a credit abuser.
*Save all written correspondence and letters regarding the incident in a safe place.

Online job sites like Monster.com, remain a great way for many potential employees to surf job openings and present their skills. But, because of the nature of these sites and the amount of personal information that can be stolen in the name of application materials, these sites also remain a top target for identity theft and fraud. Following the above procedures will help you identify these scams, apply for online jobs safely and save you from identity theft and protect your credit, if you have already been a victim.

REPRINT RIGHTS

Jason Dick is an Internet Security Specialist. Mr. Dick is a Tier-3 certified antivirus technician with extensive experience creating customized antivirus solutions for new and resistant spyware and virus infections. In addition, he has spent several years consulting with the average home computer user helping them get the most from their Internet Security Software. He is currently writing a series of articles entitled “Internet Security Tips for the Home User” to share his knowledge and expertise.To follow Jason’s entire series and read a multitude of other exciting and up-to-date articles on Internet Security visit: http://home.stopsign.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Dick
http://EzineArticles.com/?Online-Job-Scams-and-Identity-Theft-What-Every-Job-Hunter-Needs-to-Know&id=539835

The FBI recently has reissued an alert regarding three popular internet scams. All of the scams involve targeting victims through email.

The three scams are here.

If you do receive an email from someone you don’t know… no matter how legitimate it sounds, just delete it. Don’t let scammers separate you from your money.

EBay Fraud and Scams - Learn the Ten Most Common Scams Perpetrated on EBay
By Chris Ralph

Over the last decade, the eBay auction site has become legendary across the world as the source of many fantastic bargains in all types of goods. Many individuals have saved thousands of dollars or obtained rare goods just not available anywhere else. Unfortunately, it is also becoming more and more infamous as a den of thieves. Now don’t get me wrong, most of the sellers doing business on eBay are honest and legitimate businessmen and businesswomen simply trying to just sell their products and keep their customers happy. These good folks certainly make up the vast majority of sellers. However, because of the large amounts of money changing hands and its anonymous nature, eBay has also become a safe harbor for thieves, scam artists, and computer con men. The problem for most buyer is determining which is which before they make a purchase. Until eBay takes concrete efforts to require that sellers are legitimate, traceable, real individuals, and make it difficult to create phony identifications, the number of con artists and criminals working eBay will continue to increase.

So who am I to write this? Well, I have been registered on eBay selling and buying gemstones, crystals as well as gold and silver jewelry since 1999. During that time, I’ve completed many thousands of transactions, and have been myself the target of scams and frauds are regular basis. In fact, everyday I get about 20 e-mails from con men phishing, trying to takeover my eBay account for their nefarious purposes. There are more than plenty of dishonest people already buying or selling on eBay and because eBay isn’t going to do much about it, you are going to have to protect yourself! I am this free information to help and make you aware of just what is going on. Let the buyer BEWARE! Never forget that if a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is put there to rip you off in one way or another.

Here’s a listing of the ten of the most common scams which continue to be used on eBay in various forms and mutations meant to trick the gullible eBay viewer into permanently parting with his or her cash. Many of these are standard con games which have been used for many years outside the Internet, but are now being modified and adapted for use on eBay and other similar auction sites.

1. Take over someone else’s account, and if possible, steal their whole identity.
2. Sell items and goods that you don’t own.
3. Old School Bait and Switch Tactics: offer something great, but sell them junk.
4. Pyramid Scheme Recruitment: Find gullible individuals to work for you.
5. Fencing Stolen Property on EBay: who needs a pawn shop nowdays?
6. Selling illegal and counterfeit goods: knock offs and frauds
7. Schill bidders: bump up the prices on your goods
8. Phony second chance offers to failed bidders.
9. Phony Escrow Service Scams: get the big money!
10. Scams Done by the Buyer to the Seller: scam the honest businessman

Well, I hope that this is enough data to tell you that it is important to be careful on eBay, but I have a whole lot more information on my website. I’d like to provide you with a full description of these scams and information about how to protect yourself and minimize your risk when you do business on eBay. I have written a free e-book the “Encyclopedia of eBay Fraud” which is divided into three detailed portions, covering

Section 1: 10 Common Scams, Cons, Frauds and Rip-offs on EBay
Section 2: 10 Important techniques to protect yourself from criminals on EBay
Section 3: 5 Things to do if you’ve already become a victim of crimes on EBay

To learn more about how to protect yourself and stay safe, click here to read this important e-book:
http://nevada-outback-gems.com/ebay_fraud/Encyclopedia_of_fraud.htm

If you would like to see some of our beautiful turquoise jewelry and purchase directly from the mine owner, take a look at our turquoise jewelry:
http://nevada-outback-gems.com/Finish_turq_jewel/premium_turquoise_jewelry.htm

Chris Ralph writes on small scale mining and prospecting for the ICMJ Mining Journal. He has a degree in Mining Engineering from the Mackay School of Mines in Reno, and has worked for precious metal mining companies conducting both surface and underground operations. He also buys and sells on eBay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 3104 Reno, Nevada 89505. His information page on prospecting for gold can be viewed at:
http://nevada-outback-gems.com/prospect/chris_prospect.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Ralph
http://EzineArticles.com/?EBay-Fraud-and-Scams—Learn-the-Ten-Most-Common-Scams-Perpetrated-on-EBay&id=570222

Another Internet employment scam has reared it’s head again lately. Scammers will find anyway and try anything to separate you from your money. Like most online propositions (sales, investments, etc.), employment offers or opportunities should be approached with skepticism until the source of the offer is verified.

This particular scam breaks down like this. A company will offer either a position or offer a service to find you a job (sometimes called a headhunter). The company will then either email you or give you access to an online job description and application. You then fill out the job application and wait to hear back from them regarding your prospects.

These steps, so far, are not unlike any real world application process. Thousands, if not millions, of times a month people are applying for jobs and employers are soliciting job applications. The waiting for word back from the employer is sometimes the hardest part. Many people are applying for their dream job, or a job that will allow them to provide better for themselves and/or their families. The fact that scam artists are out there taking advantage of people who are in need of work or want to better their employment position is reprehensible.

Where the application process departs in our scam scenario is here. There is no company. There is no job. There is no employer. The goal of the scammer is to get your personal information. Some, but not all, job applications ask for more than the basic contact information, they ask for additional information like your Social Security Number. If you provide your name and Social Security Number to a scammer you are allowing them the chance to steal your identity. They could use this information to get multiple credit cards, lines of credit, or loans in your name; leaving them with free money and you with unpaid bills and a major headache. Though it is possible to reverse the problems caused by identity theft, don’t bank on it being an easy process. Identity theft can cause both short and long-term financial hardships for both you and your family.

Protect your identity, and through it your financial stability and good name, by being very careful and taking extra steps to verify the background of employers and companies soliciting their supposed need of workers. Don’t let your need or desire for a new job allow you to play into the hands of scammer waiting to steal your money, and more. Scammers stop at nothing to separate you from your money, you should stop at nothing to protect your identity.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of, or attempted victim of a scam involving someone representing themselves as a Social Security representative, here is the site you can report it at.

Kahzam, a relatively new search engine, was designed with multiple security purposes in mind… one of which is to fight against the practice of click-fraud which plagues the internet marketing world.