Hurricane Katrina Brings Suffering...

And Internet Delivered Scams

Even before the full extent of Katrina's devastation is known, con artists using the Internet have gotten down to work.

You probably won't be surprised to see the most obvious - chain letters and direct solicitations for money.

And if you've followed advice on this website you know what to look out for in 'phishing' scams. Following last years tsunami disaster, Mastercard International, in conjunction with Name-Protect Inc. found at least 170 scam websites, used to 'redirect' donations made to relief organizations. Expect to see the same with Hurricane Katrina's name attached.

But you may not be aware of investment and security scams, and the opportunity to use news of the disaster to deliver viruses and trojan horses to your computer.

investment and Security Scams
According to a press release from the Securities and Exchange Commission, emails are being generated that push certain stocks whose business activity relates to Hurricane Katrina. One example referred to by the SEC talks about " a spate of refinery glitches and an unusually active hurricane season", saying that investors could double their investment in just days on certain penny stocks. In addition to being distributed over the Internet, such scams are often directed towards the elderly by 'boiler room' telephone operators.

Viruses and Trojan Horses
Unsolicited email that contains photos of the disaster or victims can contain viruses hidden in the code. One newly indentified method of delivery of the Trojan horse Cgab is indeed part of a disaster related email with pictures.

This particular virus provides full access to the victim's Window - based PC. According to CNN Money, the email header reads "RE: g8 Tropical storm flooded New Orleans" and "Re: g7 80 percent of our city underwater". Be carefull!

How to Avoid Getting Scammed
* Keep alert, think cynically, and use common sense!

* NEVER click on a link in a email - take the time to enter the address by hand - links can be made to look like on thing but deliver you to a fake site, indistingusable from the real thing.

* Check the charity before giving - there's no rush in doing! Or stay with the big ones - the Salvation Army (1-800-SAL-ARMY) http://katrina.salvationarmy.org/USNSAHome.htm

and Red Cross (1-800-HELP-NOW)
http://redcross.org

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) lists a number of web sites listing legitimate charities, as does the Better Business Bureau.

*Consider making the transaction over the phone.

* Or go to the Wise Giving Alliances
http://www.give.org/reports/index.asp

and click on reports for individual charities soliciting for Katrina relief. This shows what percentage of the funds each of these charities receives normally goes to the actual cause.

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The privacy and security policies may be different than those of ATDFCU.
ATDFCU is not responsible for the contents of these sites.
ATDFCU does not represent the third party or the member if they enter into a transaction

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