You have probably heard about this. You probably even have received an email or two (or more!) directly! I am really amazed at the fact that folks still fall for this scam. I personally have received 2 emails, from different accounts (legitimate email accounts of my friends that were hacked) on this topic! Beware!
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about an email scam designed to rip you off and take your money from you. Be on the lookout for an email claiming to be from someone you know who is helplessly trapped in a foreign country. They will be ‘asking’ you to loan them some money so they can pay for their their expenses like their hotel bill, airfare to get them home.
“This is yet another phishing scam,” said Paula Fleming, BBB Spokesperson, “all the scammers are doing is using a new ‘hook’ to lure you into wire transferring money to them.” What makes this really scary is that it comes from someone you know – your instinct is to want to help them out!
Here is a tell-tale warning sign – the email that you get will be from someone you know, but it will probably be from a different email address – one that you have not seen before! However, everything else about the email could be the same; the signature line, the salutation, etc. This is a type of phishing scam, where thieves send emails that appear to be from a trusted contact and try to trick you into providing personal information or sending large sums of money via wire transfer.
If you reply to the email, you will be asked to wire transfer money or to provide your bank account or credit card numbers. The scammer may also reply back with a link where you can supply this information. Do not click on links within scam emails, your computer will almost certainly be infected with malware or spyware viruses that can help the scammers find enough information on your computer hard drive to steal your identity.
What can you do? Well, the BBB has some simple advice to keep you safe:
- If you receive an email from someone you know who says they are in trouble, contact that person directly with the number or email address that you have for them.
- NEVER click on links contained in emails you receive from someone you don’t know, even if the email looks real.
- NEVER give out personal information over the telephone or online to someone you don’t know.
- Make sure your computer has up to date, anti-virus software because new scams are created every day.
- When in doubt, check it out with the BBB. It’s fast, easy and FREE to check on companies out at bbb.org
Be safe out there! And now that you know, make sure others know!
Have you ever received an email like this? Leave a comment below and share your story! Thanks!
We have had a letter from an african country to our door asking for help and an email ‘supposedly’ from a Dr I used to work for saying his wallet was stolen and could I help. What was stolen was his email address.
Also, recently we have had emails caught in our junk from Canada Post and big named delivery companies trying to contact us about deliveries. We never ordered anything, so contact the companies before opening. They also are spam mail so beware everyone.
I actually received one of those emails from a person stating to be in trouble. I knew it was a hoax though as Id just spoken to the person on the phone.
I got another one supposedly from Pay Pal but didn’t follow the link. Closed my browser and went to pay pal on another one and reported it. Pay Pal reported that they had located them. It makes it hard sometimes to decide if something is real or a hoax. It is always prudent to be cautious.
Which email was worse to get 🙂
Paul, the first time that I got an email like this, I actually thought it was real bc it was from my brother-in-law, and he seems to have a talent for getting into hot water. Funny thing is that someone must have forwarded it to him, since about 20 minutes later, he wrote me (and others) directly, to say he is in California, not in the UK, and he is sitting in his hot tub, not in a jail cell. I was green with envy!