Fri, Mar 6 2009 13:50
Don
Economic Stimulus Email and Website Scams
US-CERT is aware of reports
of economic stimulus scams circulating. These scams are being conducted
through both email and malicious websites.
Some
of the email scam messages request personal information, which can then
be used for identity theft. Other email scam messages offer to deposit
the stimulus funds directly into users' bank accounts. If users provide
their banking information, the attackers may be able to withdraw funds
from the users' accounts.
The website scams entice users by
claiming that they can help them get money from the stimulus fund.
These websites typically request payment for their services. If users
provide their credit card information, the attackers running the
malicious sites may make unauthorized charges to the card, or charge
users more than the agreed upon terms.
US-CERT encourages users to do the following to help mitigate the risks:
http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#economic_stimulus_email_and_website
Filed under: Alerts