Introduction to Email Fraud

What is email fraud? There are many types of fraud, and email is an inexpensive and popular method for distributing fraudulent messages to potential victims.

There are many types of fraud, and email is an inexpensive and popular method for distributing fraudulent messages to potential victims.

Lottery Winner Scam People typically receive a message stating that they have won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes.

People typically receive a message stating that they have won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes.

Work-at-home schemes The scam: You'll pay a small fee to get started in the envelope-stuffing business. Then, you'll learn that the email sender never had real employment to offer. Instead, you'll get instructions on how to send the same envelope-stuffing ad in your own bulk emailings.

The scam: You'll pay a small fee to get started in the envelope-stuffing business. Then, you'll learn that the email sender never had real employment to offer. Instead, you'll get instructions on how to send the same envelope-stuffing ad in your own bulk emailings.

Health and diet scams Pills that let you lose weight without exercising or changing your diet, herbal formulas that liquefy your fat cells so that they are absorbed by your body, and cures for impotence and hair loss are among the scams flooding email boxes. They Don’t Work!!!

Pills that let you lose weight without exercising or changing your diet, herbal formulas that liquefy your fat cells so that they are absorbed by your body, and cures for impotence and hair loss are among the scams flooding email boxes.

Credit repair Credit repair scams offer to erase accurate negative information from your credit file so you can qualify for a credit card, auto loan, home mortgage, or a job.

Credit repair scams offer to erase accurate negative information from your credit file so you can qualify for a credit card, auto loan, home mortgage, or a job.

Vacation prize promotions Electronic certificates congratulating you on "winning" a fabulous vacation for a very attractive price are among the scams arriving in your email. Some say you have been "specially selected" for this opportunity.

Electronic certificates congratulating you on "winning" a fabulous vacation for a very attractive price are among the scams arriving in your email. Some say you have been "specially selected" for this opportunity.

“ Phishing” Phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you may deal with — for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The messages direct you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization’s site.

Phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you may deal with — for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The messages direct you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization’s site.

More on Phishing: Tips on how to avoid being caught If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don’t click on the link in the message, either .

If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don’t click on the link in the message, either .

Phishing: And government agencies Phishers are fond of impersonating government agencies.

Phishers are fond of impersonating government agencies.

An interesting point about fraud is that it is a crime in which you decide on whether to participate. If an email seems to good to be true, delete it. Contact the Tri-State Better Business Bureau if you have any additional questions. [email_address] 5401 Vogel Rd. Suite 410 Evansville, IN 47715 812-473-0202 or 800-359-0979