BBB and Police Warns About Fake Emails Targeting Parents

Wfmynews2.com reported on 20th January, 2015 stating that Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Greensboro Police (North Carolina, US) are sending a strong message to Internet users asking them to look for a new email scheme targeting parents.

A dangerous and fake email is advising readers that a child predator is in their locality and trying to collect personal and financial information illegally.

The website and email looks genuine and says that this based on your "local area zipcode" but authorities are advising people to not to open the web link attached in the email because it will install malware on the computer of the recipient.

The email itself looks like a "community safety" and so it is a warning to parents of a child predator in the nearby locality. However, Better Business Bureau says that it is just another way of trick to collect the identity and money from the people.

It said that it pulls the heart strings of parents and they will react to according to attackers.

The email reaches on your computer with "Alert: There is a Child Predator Living Near You" as the subject line.

However, when you click the link, you are redirected to a legitimate website known as "Kids Live Safe" which is the part of the plan.

While "Kids Live Safe" is actually a genuine site but the way the user takes to get there is not safe. It is dangerous and offensive but just like the threat of child abuse, it is not wise to assume that everyone on the Internet is safe and well meant.

Generally, it is not safe to click links which come as attachment with unsolicited emails. It is always better and safe to search for the actual organization with your browser to get more information.

Cross check the "From" field because scammers can conceal email addresses making the email appearing to come from a genuine source but they do not use it always. Check for email addresses which do not match the brand targeted in the email.

Look for strange phasing, typo and wrong grammar. Awkward wording and incorrect grammar are indications of a scam message, as in the above case, "local area zipcode".

» SPAMfighter News - 1/29/2015