New '151' Phishing Scam Emerges on Facebook
In the latest scheme, Facebook members receive an e-mail or message with the simple subject of "hello." The body of the message contains a url ending in ".im," such as 151.im, 121.im, or 123.im. If a user clicks on one of these urls, then they are taken to a fake Facebook login page designed to steal their account info. Facebook spokesperson Barry Schnitt told Reuters that Facebook has already deleted all references to the tainted domain names, and is in the process of repairing compromised accounts. He didn't reveal how many people have been duped.
To protect your identity and privacy, always be cautious when opening forwarded links on Facebook. For more tips on Facebook protection, as well as news about current exploits, Facebook provides this helpful and informative page. [From USA Today and TechCrunch]
Weirdest Techie Heists and Scams
Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.
Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.
Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.
Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.
17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.
Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail + phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."
Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JamesAven said 3:24PM on 5-16-2009
The greatest benefit of Facebook is that it has many groups on the site that you can join. So if you are interested in Chicago Cubs you can research Chicago Cubs in the groups section and you will be able to find friends on there that like the Cubs. This is just one example, I know that you can join groups of your favorite football team, television show, or whatever you want for the most part! If you can't find a group for your interest, you can simply create one!
James
http://EmailCharger.com
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JOHNNIE said 5:05PM on 5-16-2009
Perhaps I'm not Tech-Saavy or maybe behind the times, but I think Facebook is bad news. It seems like every other day I read of some horrid news that began with Facebook. I don't have it and don't know it's benefits, but it seems like a lonely hearts club. Who is foolish enough to put their "stuff" out in the street for everyone to see. If this service does hook you up with an old friend, then pick up the phone, pay them a visit or get their e-mail address and have an instant message conversation. If you chose to post your picture, the city where you live, where you like to hang out and more, then don't cry if some weirdo approaches you. If you "advertise" yourself, then expect people to take notice.
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sdallen69 said 5:31PM on 5-16-2009
Does anyone else realize how dangerous this junk is? Facebook is a classic center for scam artists who know there are going to naive people not paying attention. How many times are these flunkies going to steal your credit before you realize that Facebook is NOT a secure site? America, wake up! Don't complain about identity theft if you dangle your information out there for predators to steal!
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sdallen69 said 5:34PM on 5-16-2009
I agree with you, Johnnie. Fools continue to advertise themselves as easy targets, they hang their information out for everyone to see, and then whine and cry when they are ripped off! What's wrong with this picture?
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D. said 6:28PM on 5-16-2009
Stupid is as stupid does. There are settings to control who sees what. There is even a choice to have your name in any form(even just a nickname) to be searched to find you and nothing else so that you can have whoever you want to 'join' your 'profile'. And simply....if you don't know them,don't accept them.
There are possible dangers EVERYWHERE. The people who are most succeptible will do so in any venue not just Facebook.
The feature I find most appealing in Facebook is that all my family members can comment on the same subject line at any time of convenience,even a day or two later.
If you don't like it,don't use it!
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feral said 6:40PM on 5-16-2009
LOL. Obviously, you people have never used facebook.
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PS said 8:26PM on 5-16-2009
As with any social site, don't put too much info on there.
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