Originally posted 05/18/2011 on lubbockonline.com
The U.S.Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) reports that scammers are exploiting the flooding in Mississippi, sending out emails claiming to be from relief organizations. To help us protect ourselves from that, and from some of the other scams floating around the internet they provide links to informative web pages and PDF's:
- Do not follow or open unsolicited web links or attachments in email messages.
Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.- Review the Recognizing Fake Antivirus document for additional information on recognizing fake antivirus.
- Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks document for additional information on social engineering attacks.
- Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document for additional information on avoiding email scams.
- Review the Federal Trade Commission's Charity Checklist.
- Verify the legitimacy of the email by contacting the organization directly through a trusted contact number. Trusted contact information can be found on the Better Business Bureau National Charity Report Index.*
Whenever a disaster occurs anywhere the scammers come out in force, but with good information and a little thought you can safely donate online with confidence that your money will be used the way you intended.
*Information from US-CERT
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