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Bogus Stimulus Promises Turn Out to Be Phishing Scam
We all need to remain constantly aware of the new and more ingenious ways that cyber-criminals are phishing for our personal information. Taking advantage of the current economic climate and the new government stimulus package, con artists are now offering promises of increased and expedited stimulus earnings.Hustlers lure their hopeful prey with messages directing the target to a Web site where, after paying a registration fee, the purportedly legitimate company will file benefit-seeking documents on the victim's behalf. Once hooked by the scheme, the mark is harangued into paying additional fees and fraudulent charges.
This scam can be particularly damaging because the people most likely to take a chance on promises of money are typically those who can least afford to lose it. Because of this scam's potentially widespread, negative repercussions, both the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau have joined the fight against this manipulative scheme.
The FTC warned PC World of the explosion of fake sites, such as PresidentObamaGrants.com and OfficialStimulusGrants.com, and several prominent Web sites are already taking corrective action. Google is on the lookout for evidence of such schemes and Facebook has already started identifying the ads and canceling them. For protection, if you have any questions or concerns about stimulus benefits, check with official government Web sites like Grants.gov or Recovery.gov. Be sure to remain leery of any sites requesting a fee for their services, and, if you receive e-mails pertaining to stimulus money, never open an attached link. [From: Ars Technica]
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Comments
9
Subscribe to commentsPhilMar 5th 2009 12:51PM
Why does AOL continue to feature these ads?
anthonyMar 5th 2009 2:26PM
my sentiments exactly WHY DOES A-O-L LET THESE SCAMMERS ADVERTISE!!!!! AOL SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS B$#@&**t. Once again GREEDY CORPORATE AMERICA WILL TAKE THESE PEOPLE MONEY, AND ALLOW THEM THEM TO SCAM THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.JUST AS THE PREDATORY LENDERS ARE STILL ADVERTISING ON AOL RAKING IN MILLIONS ON THESE SUCKERS WHO BITE THE BAIT!
***SHAME ON YOU AOL***
STEELMSTERMar 5th 2009 2:26PM
it funny how a-l is not allowing peoples comments that rip them go thru. thanks for crushing our first amendments rights
jamesMar 5th 2009 3:10PM
I am embarrased to say, I got taken by this so-called "stimulas" rip off. Paid $1.99 for a cd that was totally worthless. Wasn't told or notified that I was to be charged for my "membership"(??) When I checked my bank account on line, there was a pending charge for $94.89, from "IDS Grants". Tried for two days to contact their so-called "customer service", and got nowhere! Thank goodness my bank is getting my money back. I think AOL, or any internet website should be held liable for putting these scams on their sites.
RhondaMar 5th 2009 4:03PM
James - I am right there with you and embarrassed as I never fall into "scams" but sure did on this one. I am working with my bank to clear up my $94.89 charge to my account. I also had to tear up my debit card and get a new one issued to avoid future charges. Like you said, there was NO mention of additional charges besides the $1.99 CD which is useless. I do not see how these companies can legally get by with this "junk". It really caught my eye but I should have known that it was too good to be true. Oh, and the $94.89 was for 30 day supply of MAX COLON. What the heck does that have to do with grants???? These companies really SUCK!!!!!!
Shane and MaryMar 5th 2009 3:41PM
I'm confused about what a naked baby on the cover of a Nirvana cd has to do with a stimulus scam. They could've used the stack of Geico money or something.....
MelissaMar 5th 2009 4:01PM
Maybe because it's going after money on a hook?
MelissaMar 5th 2009 3:43PM
Why do people fall for stupid crap like that?? Seriously.. my neighbor was over here the other day and she is NOTORIOUSLY bad with money. She saw the ad on my facebook page I had open.. "ooh... stimulus checks??" she asked.. I told her it was a scam.
Seriously, you'd have to be pretty desperate and dumb to do this.
TiggaMar 6th 2009 6:00PM
It's easier to fall for some of these scams than you realize. I, too, was one of those folks that figured I would NEVER fall for the okey-doke. Though it was over 6 years ago, the lesson sticks with me forever (and I'm 38 now). I was called randomly via LAN line and offered this "MasterCard." After listening to this guy's speil (he really sounded convincing and earnest) and because I was looking at the time to build on my credit history, I fell for the bait. I waited the two weeks he said it took to process my paperwork and receive my card ($199 fee), only to receive some copied papers and no card.
Luckily, I belong to a credit union that at that time served only military members and veterans (I was in the Corps), and after telling the associate the situation and faxing proof of what I received, she immediately stopped payment, credited my account, and instructed me to destroy my CUCARD so I could be issued a new one. I was so happy I cried and vowed NEVER to do anything like that again!
Would you believe about a week later, the idiot called me AGAIN!! And boy was he pissed!!!! I reported his "company" and the number he was calling me from to both my CU and the local authorities. Of course, the number was disconnected but I didn't have to worry about him (or his little slimey friends) calling me ever again.
All this love to say, if contacted by a slick-talking con artist, you CAN get bamboozled. This kind of info on what and how to look for scammers wasn't as readily available then as it now, so luckily, we can be more progressive and informed on how to fight the cons. Thank you for reading, and God Bless you.