“Do not go to any wal-mart tonight. Gang initiation to shoot three women tonight. not sure which walmart, but please pass it on.”

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/15247/40/

http://urbanlegends.about.com/b/2009/03/19/walmart-gang-initiation-upd ate.htm

This type of hoax feeds off of people’s fears. The purpose of a hoax like this is to cause widespread panic to as many people as possible. Similar to a virus, the message reaches millions of people. In this case, the message itself is the infection. This is considered social engineering, where a person or group manipulates individuals on a large scale.

There has been examples in the past of emails being sent to the public warning of a really bad virus that is out. The email tells the recipient to shut down their computer and unplug it from the internet. The email contains no virus but individuals will voluntarily forward the email to people they know which will further spread fear of a threat that does not exist. Disruptions ensues when people or businesses take their systems or networks offline scared of a problem that does not exist.

Whether it is a text or email, it is not recommended to forward the message on to others as this helps spread the fear.

- By Todd Kingman the Ring Leader at SuperGeeks

Tax Time Tips

Tax time, whether it’s in April, June, October or December, often puts important personal identifying information at risk for exposure.  Your W-2′s, and other IRS reporting forms, include your Social Security Number and, in some cases, financial account information.  These numbers can be a gold mine for identity thieves.  Your personal information can enable thief to obtain a job, open up new lines of credit, access existing financial accounts or stock portfolios, get welfare, avoid a criminal history and generally create havoc in your life.

The question is: where are those forms kept in your home?  Are they lying on a table top or somewhere anyone can see them? Or, are they in a locked box or file cabinet?   Many consumers are not aware of the potential threat that these forms represent, and take little notice of the necessary steps which should be taken to secure these items.

With this in mind, the ITRC wants to remind consumers and businesses to be careful when handling tax-related documents and information.

Here are some tips on how to minimize the risk of identity theft:

· Paper security

Whether it’s in the home or in the office, make sure all tax documents and paperwork are secured in a safe, locked location at all times.  Any financial statement or item which contains personal identifying information (PII) should not be left unsecured or visible to others.

· Data on the Move

Financial documents don’t belong in a briefcase left unattended in your car.  Law enforcement has reported increases in vehicle break-ins to steal items which can be used to commit identity theft.  When transferring tax documents between home and the accountant, make sure they are hidden from view, i.e. locked in the trunk, at all times.

· Computer Security

If your computer is linked to the internet, be sure to regularly update firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software to protect you from attack.  Since many taxpayers now file online, or store financial information on their computers, it is vitally important to install and update these types of security programs.   Sensitive documents should be kept on a computer with a password protected log-on.  This computer should never be used by children others who might install peer-to-peer software (Kazaa or Limewire) or expose the computer to unrestricted web browsing.  These activities often result in security problems within days, if not hours.  (For more information on computer security, please see Fact Sheet 119 – Direct Connections to the Internet)

· E-Filing
While preparing your tax return for filing, make sure to use a strong password to protect the data file. Once your return has been e-filed, burn the file to a CD or flash drive and remove the personal information from your hard drive.  Store the CD or flash drive in a lock box or safe.  If working with an accountant, you should query them on what measures they take to protect your information.

· Mail Theft Awareness
Be sure to retrieve your mail every day. An unlocked mailbox is an open invitation to an identity thief to steal your tax refund or other important documents.  When mailing your tax documents, take them directly to the Post Office. Drop them in a box inside the Post Office.  If you must use an outside Post Office pickup box, it’s best to drop your mail before the last pick-up of the day.  Don’t leave tax documents in an outgoing mail box at work.
· Tax Preparers and Personal Privacy
Be selective about who works on your taxes.  Investigate tax preparation companies with the Better Business Bureau, especially new or seasonal offices.  Ask the preparer how your information will be stored?  Will it be encrypted?  What computer security software is used?  Who has access to this information?  Has the person working on your taxes undergone a thorough background screening?  How many years have they worked for the company?  Do you see personal papers displayed on desks?  Trust your impressions.  If you feel uncomfortable, or doubt the firm’s commitment to protecting your privacy, take your business elsewhere.

The phrase “buyer beware” especially applies to “on-line tax preparers.”  Who are these people?  What do you know about them?  Are they really a company or legitimate accountant or is it a scam to gather Social Security and account information from you?

Avoid doing financial business in supermarkets, or other public concession booths, where others may hear or see your transaction. Those mini offices are not soundproof – and criminals have been observed using binoculars or shoulder surfing to gather information.  Go some place where you have privacy.

· Tax Time Scams
If you receive an email asking for your Social Security Number or financial information, delete it or send it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov for investigation.  The IRS does not send emails stating you are being electronically audited or that you are getting a refund.  If you have any questions about an email you received from the IRS, or a letter that sounds suspicious, immediately call the IRS Taxpayers Advocates at 877-777-4778.

· Document Disposal
Put papers you no longer need through a cross-cut shredder.  These include credit card receipts, other papers with Social Security Numbers (i.e. income reporting forms), financial statements, health benefit statements and loan documents.  Do not store these documents intending to shred them at some future time.  As soon as you determine the document is no longer needed, shred it!

· Document Storage
When storing your tax returns and other sensitive financial documents, use a locking file cabinet or even better, a safe.  Make sure you know who else has access to this storage.

· Employment Identity Theft

Identity theft goes beyond the well-known forms of financial identity theft.  Sometimes identity thieves use your identity to get a job, obtain welfare, or medical services.  They may be employed and using your Social Security Number – or even your child’s Social Security Number.  In these situations, the IRS may send a notice indicating that more than one person is using a Social Security Number, or that you owe taxes. If this happens, immediately contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocates or the Identity Theft Resource Center at 858-693-7935 for assistance.

Where to Go For More Information or Help:

Identity Theft Resource Center     858-693-7935 or www.idtheftcenter.org
IRS Taxpayer Advocates               1-877-777-4778
Federal Trade Commission www.consumer.gov/idtheft

But the ‘fix’ is really fake antivirus software (so you were conned into buying trash) and/or the ‘fix’ actually spyware (placing u at risk.)

For a growing list of fake programs masquerading as the real thing, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_software

Last weekend, a Facebook application that spread virally among users caused an error message for Facebook users.

It would send itself to the friends of an infected user. No know what the “Error Check System” error was, the infected users Googled it.

And thus fell into the hackers’ trap…because the sites that came up on Google were run by hackers, selling rogue security software!

For more info about rogue security software, please go here: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/rogue.mspx

Cars in the US had traffic violation tickets placed on the windscreen, which then directed users to a website.

The website claimed to have photos of the alleged parking violation, but then tricks users into downloading a virus.

Read more…

Dear Friend,

I am Hong Wu, Bank Manager of a bank in China. I have
an urgent and very confidential business proposition
for you.

On November 6, 2003, a British Oil
consultant/contractor with the Chinese Solid Minerals
Corporation, made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for
twelve calendar months, valued at US$30,000,000.00
(Thirty Million Dollars) in my branch. Upon maturity,
I sent a routine notification to his forwarding
address but got no reply.

After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we
discovered from his contract employers, the Chinese
Solid Minerals Corporation that he died from an
automobile accident. On further investigation, I found
out that he died without making a WILL, and all
attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered
that he did not declare any kin or relations in all
his official documents, including his Bank Deposit
paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$30,000,000.00 is
still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being
rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each
year.

No one will ever come forward to claim it. According
to Laws of Republic of China, at the expiration of 6
(six) years, the money will revert to the ownership of
the Chinese Government if nobody applies to claim the
fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a
foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to the man so
that the fruits of this old man’s labor will not get
into the hands of some corrupt government officials.
This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately
your full names and address so that the attorney will
prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that
will put you in place as the next of kin.

We shall employ the services of an attorney for
drafting and tarization of the WILL and to obtain the
necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.
A bank account in any part of the world that you will
provide will then facilitate the transfer of this
money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money
will be paid into your account for us to share in the
ratio of 50% for me and 50% for you.

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this
transaction will be done by the attorney and my
position as the Branch Manager guarantees the
successful execution of this transaction. If you are
interested, please reply immediately via the private
email address above.

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more
details and relevant documents that will help you
understand the transaction. Please send me your
confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy
communication.

Please observe utmost confidentiality, and rest
assured that this transaction would be most profitable
for both of us because I shall require your assistance
to invest my share in your country.

Awaiting your urgent reply via my email:
hong_wu11@yahoo.com.hk

Thanks and regards.

Hong Wu.

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