FTC Warns Users About A Fake E-Mail

According to the news by Tech News on June 19, 2007 the FTC has cautioned its users including banking and corporate executives about a fake mail which claims to be sent by Federal Trade Commission but in reality is sent by the hackers whose aim is to download spy ware on the PC. FTC also said that the email will appear as a receipt of complaint filed by the user and will come with an attachment.

An instance of fake mails which seems to be from Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns about the small magnets which are found in magnetic building set and other toys, which if swallowed can kill children. The CPSC claims that it knows worldwide cases of around 100 children's death due to intake of these magnets.

According to the news by nbo4.com on June 19, 2007 the CPSC suggests the parents to become more alert and check toys for loose pieces of magnetic and keep magnets away from children. The CPSC also advises the guardians to check their website to confirm that children's magnetic toys are part of a recall.

The FTC cautions the users about the fraud mail. The hackers molded the pattern of the email to make it appear an acknowledgement of the complaint filed. Then, they instruct the users to have a copy of the complaint.

As per the news by Network World on June 18, 2007, the FTC said that on accessing the attachment harmful spyware got installed in the system. Further, the FTC advises the user to delete such emails.

These phishing mails follow the pattern of "spoofing" and it includes lines like "from" and "reply to" to make it appear an authentic mail from a third party. The Forum has solutions to the problem of spam.

A website (OnGuardOnline.com) has been set up by FTC in collaboration with other agencies of federal and technology industry to provide information about protecting PCs from deadly spyware and spam emails. The site exhibits modules on phishing and spyware.

A secure, online database, Consumer Sentinel, which is available to almost 1, 600 criminal and civil law enforcement agencies in the US and abroad contains data about telemarketing, identity theft, Internet, and other fraud related complaints.

Related article: FTC Reaches Million-Dollar Settlement For Spyware

» SPAMfighter News - 7/3/2007