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 SCAM UPDATE- BOGUS NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS
Phishing scams. Phishing is the term used to describe e-mail scams that use fraud and deception to lure people into passing on personal information. These sites request charitable donations, but in fact steal financial information and may be used for identity theft as well. The unexpecting donor is hit twice since the contributions never make it to those who need help. Here's an example:
"Please donate to Hurricane Relief Efforts. We have seen the horrible destruction this past week that was caused by natural causes. Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. If you'd like to help we encourage you to make a generous donation to the American Red Cross. Thank you for your compassion."
[Fake link listed.]
The above solicitation used a fake, but legitimate sounding domain name that would lead people to believe this was actually from the American Red Cross. In fact, the link did not belong to the Red Cross, but a very clever scam artist.
Viruses and Trojans placed in Hurricane E-mails: Spam (junk e-mail) is sent that includes photos of disaster areas or individual survivors. These attachments contain computer viruses. For example, the Trojan, Cgab, is now related to a Hurricane Katrina email that is making the rounds. It provides full access to the victim's PC. According to CNN Money, the email actual headlines or subject lines include: "Re: g8 Tropical storm flooded New Orleans" and "Re: g7 80 percent of our city underwater."
Investment and security scams: According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), emails are making the rounds that tout specific stocks on the basis of activity related to Hurricane Katrina. For example, one email says that investors could more than double their money in just days on certain penny stocks because of "refinery glitches."
There have also been emails using headings or subject lines related to disasters to call attention to themselves as they attempt to sell unrelated products. Here is an example of an email that was just trying to sell Viagra:
Subject Line: In Meraux, although a pumping station was online pushing water into the wetlands north of the Mississippi River, water was still high. Coast Guard helicopters scanned the area for survivors as they did in nearby Violet.
Once the reader clicked open the e-mail, an advertisement for Viagra and Cialis and other "low cost drugs" popped up.
The Better Business Bureau has additional examples of consumer fraud to be aware of following the most recent natural disasters. Areas of interest include flood-damaged used cars, disaster cleanup, moving and storage, pest control, cooling and heating equipment, major appliances, home repairs, etc.: http://www.bbb.org/disaster/after.asp
If you plan to give to the relief effort please do not let these scam artists deter your generosity.
For tips on how to ensure a proper donation to the Hurricane relief effort follow this link
http://www.give.org/news/katrina.asp
Other Scam News
Locally, a traditional scam is making its rounds again. The Nigerian Inheritance scam is usually done by either e-mail or conventional mail. The recipient is told that they have a multi-million dollar inheritance awaiting them. The inheritance is granted only after an advance fee, sometimes called an endorsement fee is paid for up front. The recipient is also required to disclose identification and passport numbers, along with bank account information. These requests will be followed by a letter from an attorney or barrister assuring them that everything is legitimate. If the recipient complies, the requests continue until the victim is either out of money or has realized they have been duped. The victim can be further seduced by advance checks from these scam artists. These checks stopped soon after deposit and the victim has to deal with both losing money and owing their bank penalty fees.
For the Nigerian Embassy's statement regarding these scams
http://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/fraud.shtml
ART IMITATES LIFE.
One person can make a difference. "North County" is a movie that tells the true story of Lois Jenson, a female coal-miner subjected to insults, inappropriate touching, and physical intimidation. Starring Charlize Theron, the movie chronicles this landmark sexual harassment lawsuit.
http://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?recipient_id=17104005&message_id=132608&user_id=ATLA_Right
VOTING GUIDE FOR California's November 8th Election
Proposition 74 - NO - Do Not Blame the Teachers
This is designed to raise teacher tenure from 2 years to 5 years. The advertisements in favor of this Proposition say that it makes it easier for school districts to rid themselves of bad teachers. School districts already have this ability by documenting poor performance of teachers.
Proposition 75 - NO - The Paycheck Deception Act
This unfairly targets teachers, nurses, firefighters, police and other public employees with restrictions that don't apply to other groups or corporations, which regularly spend shareholder money on politics without permission. Union members already have the ability to keep their specific dues from being used for political purposes.
Proposition 76 - NO - Guts School Spending
This initiative provides the governor the ability to make budget cuts mid-year. It would make a dysfunctional budget process even worse by empowering a minority in the Legislature to stand in the way of solutions. It imposes rigid budget formulas that go against voter approved funding for schools. A similar initiative that passed 12 years ago in Colorado is now resulting in threatened shut downs of schools and important health and safety services.
Proposition 77 - NO - Redistricting Power Grab
This is designed to let the governor appoint three judges who are not accountable to anyone to redraw our legislative districts. These districts are for both state and federal representation. The districts would go into effect immediately and cannot be challenged until the next election. Once again, the governor is attempting to take power from our legislatures and the people and put it into his own hands.
Prop. 78 - NO - Voluntary Prescription Drug Program
This measure says only that drug companies can enter a "voluntary" program to reduce prices. There is no real incentive to lower the cost of prescription drugs. A "No" vote on this measure is necessary to provide consumers with real relief from soaring drug prices. Whichever measure gets the highest number of votes becomes law.
Prop. 79 - YES - Real Prescription Drug Reform
The key difference from Prop 78 is that Proposition 79 would use the state's purchasing power to keep drug prices down, while Prop 78 relies on voluntary discounts. If drug companies don't follow the rules, under Proposition 79 the state can shift business away from that company and buy more from other drug companies that offer discounts.
Prop. 80 - YES - Energy Re-Regulation "Affordable Electricity and Preventing Blackouts Act"
This is a common-sense consumer initiative that will help prevent energy blackouts and massive fraud by unregulated private energy producers like Enron. It will override the failed energy deregulation policies, put utilities back in the business of serving the public, and encourage development of more renewable energy sources. The ultimate result will be more affordable energy for ALL Californians.
You can visit Chain-Younger Websites for additional information regarding:
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