I do not like SPAM.
I do not like it, Sam I am.
I do not like it in my inbox.
XXX SPAM leaves me shocked.
I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it anywhere!
-with apologies to Dr. Seuss.
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I do not like SPAM. -with apologies to Dr. Seuss. |
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Also known as unsolicited bulk E-mail, SPAM on the Internet has grown like Scotch Broom in the Gorge. Here is some information about the maggots of the Internet.
Factoid Source
Electronic mail (E-mail) and web pages are the two primary mechanisms by which the fraudulent contact took place. Nearly 70 percent of complainants reported they had e-mail contact with the perpetrator. - The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC), 2001 Internet Fraud Report, January 1, 2001- December 31, 2001
Over 37,000 victims who filed complaints with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center(IFCC) last year were contacted by scam perpetrators through e-mail, with most of the rest visiting fraudulent Web sites. - Associated Press, April 10, 2002
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation with an estimated 700,000 victims each year. The average victim spends $808 to clear up discrepancies related to identity theft. - National Association of Attorneys General
On average, a victim of identity theft spends 175 hours restoring their reputation by notifying credit bureaus, canceling credit cards and negotiating with creditors. - Identity Theft Resource Center
Internet auction fraud was by far the most reported offense. Among those individuals who reported a dollar loss, the highest median dollar losses were found among Nigerian Letter Scam ($5,575), Identity Theft ($3,000), and Investment fraud ($1,000) complainants. - The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC), 2001 Internet Fraud Report, January 1, 2001- December 31, 2001
On a typical day, Hotmail subscribers collectively receive more than 1 billion pieces of junk e-mail. Such spam accounts for 80 percent of messages received - not including mail blocked by Hotmail's first line of filters. - Associated Press,
August 3, 2002
Individuals are expected to receive, on average, 1,800 pieces of unsolicited e-mail this year. By 2006, that number is expected to grow to more than 3,800. - Jupiter Media Metrix Inc.
Here are some Best Practices from McAfee.com to reduce your SPAM and your vulnerability through SPAM for Identity Threat.
Best Practices
The following practices from McAfee.com will help you reduce the thousands of unwanted messages from entering your email inbox:
Never purchase Spam-advertised products!
Aside from encouraging the spammers, this also makes more of your personally identifiable information-name, address, phone number, credit card numbers, etc.-available to spammers. It also can guarantee that you'll get more Spam at your email address.
Always protect your personal information.
Only share your credit card, social security number or other personal information when making purchases from a company or financial institution that you know and trust.
Never send personal information to email requests.
You should never be asked for a password, credit card number or social security number from a legitimate source via email. Beware official-sounding notices that require you to "give up" your personal information due to supposedly dire consequences.
Verify any transaction.
If a Web site address looks different from the name of the organization that you're dealing with or if you have doubts about your transaction, look for a phone number on the Web site and call the organization to verify that the Web site is valid. Don't deal with any organization that doesn't clearly state its name, physical address and phone number on its Web site.
Beware of get rich quick schemes.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Never pay "up front" for loans or credit.
Legitimate lenders generally do not "guarantee" a loan or credit card before you apply.
Refrain from clicking on Reply or Remove!
Avoid clicking the "unsubscribe" link in unsolicited messages. Spammers have already co-opted the systemclicking tells them you have a valid, active email address. Hit delete instead. Once they verify that it's a "live" email address, they will very likely share your email address with other spammers, which will lead to an explosion of SPAM email.
Report illegal Internet activity
Forward illegal and fraudulent SPAM to the Federal Trade Commission at [email protected] and the appropriate government investigation agency. You can learn how to report illegal internet activity and cybercrime by visiting the Department of Justice Computer Crime website. Illegal activity you should report to the Department of Justice include: Computer intrusion (i.e. hacking), Password trafficking, Copyright violations and piracy, Currency or Trademark counterfeiting, Child Pornography or Exploitation, Fraud, Internet harassment, and Bomb/Death threats.
Warning: Never forward illegal images, such as child pornography, even when making a report. The very act of forwarding these images is, itself, a crime - even if you are forwarding them to law enforcement officials for the purpose of reporting the crime. Instead, what you need to forward to the Department of Justice and the FBI is the TEXT message you received (not the images) and all the information you can gather about the sender (found in the expanded header fields of your email).
Use a "public" email address when online.
Set up and use a "public" email address-either an additional address from your ISP or a free email address. Use this email address when participating in newsgroups, joining contests or anytime that your email is requested by a third party online. Potential SPAM will go to your "public" email address instead of your "private" email address.
Don't post your email address online.
You'd be surprised how often you use your email address online for newsletter subscriptions, to join online groups or in chat rooms. Before you post your email address, know whether it will be displayed or used. Then use a "public" email address when necessary.
Use an email filter to help eliminate unwanted email.
Use an email filtering product, such as McAfee.com SpamKiller*, to help filter out unwanted email. SpamKiller treats SPAM like a virus, recognizing unique SPAM content and removing SPAM from consumers' email boxes before they read their email.
*Note: Norton also has a reputable SPAM elimination program.
Source: http://www.mcafee.com/fightspam/default.asp
Links to:
National Internet Fraud Watch Information Center
Click on the Telemarketing and Internet Fraud tips to learn how to recognize the danger signs and avoid being victimized. You can also get advice by calling toll-free, 800-876-7060 (from outside the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rice, dial 1-202-331-8590) Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Time. Report Telemarketing and Internet Fraud by using the online complaint form or the call center. T
http://www.fraud.org/welcome.htm
United States Federal Trade Commission
The U.S. Government's central Web site for information on Identity Theft
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
FTC Report: ID THEFT - When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name (PDF)
Fraud Against the Elderly
http://www.fraud.org/elderfraud/
Better Busines Bureau
Code of Ethics for Standard Business Practice
http://www.bbb.org
Better Business Bureau Online
Code of Ethics and Standard Business Practice for Online Businesses.
http://www.bbbonline.org
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