Cybercrime on Yahoo

Interesting that this week, cybercrime hit the front page of Yahoo.  What timing.

 

"If you do not pay me $500 by the deadline for payment, I intend to sue you for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act," it reads. "If you force me to sue, I will not settle for less than $1,000." Details of the alleged lawsuit are contained in the document attached to the e-mail.

In today's litigious -- and digital -- society, being notified of a lawsuit via e-mail might not seem too unusual, right? Gotcha! The e-mail is a scam that preys on deep-seated fears of being hauled into court. Its target: unlucky recipients who may indeed be among thousands of companies that send junk faxes.

 

 

The internet is not for the timid.  If you follow the simple rule of Don't Trust Everything That You Read In Your Email you can avoid a heck of a lot of scams.  Easier said than done, because cybercriminals of all types use human psychology as a big part of their strategy in today's world.  Be prepared. 

 

If you do suspect that you have been scammed, don't be afraid to contact your local FBI office or the FTC.  They are prepared to handle such situations.