Using the Internet Safely For Seniors

For example, Valentine scams circulate around Valentine’s Day. Last

year, a Valentine scammer e-mailed messages with titles including “In

your arms,” “Sending you all my love,” “I love you because.. .,” and so

on. These have short messages and links your are encouraged to click.

Clicking the links downloads malicious software onto your computer.

The subject lines of e-mail scams morph constantly;

there were at least 50 titles in circulation in 2008

alone.

Also around any holiday, be on the lookout for e-mail messages offer-

ing “great deals” on flowers, chocolates, dinners, and so on. If you

aren’t sure that a store is reputable, don’t go there.

When you’re in tax season, tax-related scams abound, including scams

about being audited, getting tax rebates, or offering tax-filing assistance.

And the list goes on. There’s literally a scam for every occasion.

Routinely check our Web site (www. ilookboth

ways.com) and Snopes.com to find out more about

the lastest e-mail scams on the Internet.

Deal with Phishing E-Mails

Phishing scams are an attempt to trick you into divulging sensitive per-

sonal information that allows somebody to steal your identity or empty

your bank account.

Don’t be fooled by phishing. Be very skeptical if you receive an e-mail

that looks like it is from your bank, broker, or other trusted company

but asks you to verify or re-enter sensitive personal or financial infor-

mation through e-mail, a Web site it directs you to, or a phone number

it provides. It’s quite likely a scam.

Look for these telltale signs to spot a phishing e-mail. (See

Figure 5-22.)

1. You don’t know the sender.

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Chapter 5: Risk-Free E-Mail