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Scam Email Alert |
A public service from the |
| Law Offices of Thomas Gross | |
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419 Fraud, Lottery Fraud, Phishing & Other Scams |
Exposing Internet Fraud & Scams |
If you get unsolicited emails containing free gift cards and other promotional offers that sound to good to be true, it is probably a scam. Some common characteristics of bogus and scam offers are the following: 1) A gift card or free product offer generally worth $500-$1,000; 2) typically involving a well known product or store; 3) the sender's email domain is from an unrecognizable domain name rather than that of the store or product manufacturer; 4) the email contains links embedded in the email that invite you to click to obtain the offer; 5) the link directs you to a website that is not recognizable and is likely disposable; and 6) the offer requires you to eventually enter personal information and your credit card numbers.
Based on our review, here is how we believe many of the scams operate. The scammers send out lots of emails promoting free gift cards or product offers hoping you will take their bait. If you click on the link, you will likely infect your computer with a virus or other computer malware which can record the keystrokes that you make. The links will direct you to a site which explains how the free product or gift card program works. You may be asked to take a survey which usually starts off with a bunch of easy questions in order to lure you in. Near the end, the program will tell you that you must sign up for various offers in order to qualify for the free gift card or product. The program may actually send you to legitimate websites (Netflix, Blockbuster, Columbia House, PCDoctor, book clubs, cosmetic companies, etc) to sign up for free trials. The big catch is that in order to get these free trials, you must provide your credit card numbers. So when you sign up at a legitimate website and give up your credit card numbers, the software infected on your computer records your credit card numbers. By the way, the program says they will send your gift card, or free product to your home address once they can verify that you in fact signed up with the legitimate companies. It is highly doubtful that you'll ever see a gift card or free product, but rather you'll see your credit card hit with charges that you never authorized.
Our advice is to simply delete these emails and make sure you don't click on any links contained within the emails, even the opt out notices. If you did respond to the email and gave out sensitive personal information, it would be wise to take action to prevent future theft (e.g. contacting credit card company, bank, credit agencies, cleansing computer). You may want to visit other pages or sites to learn more.
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