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Ian:
Worried about scams? Follow this simple list:

DO NOT enter into any financial transaction unless it is instigated by you.

DO NOT divulge your personal details to unsolicited callers.

DO NOT click on a link, even if it seems to be coming from someone you think you know. Go to the official website and find official contact details.

DO NOT let anyone have remote access to your computer or install software. Microsoft, BT, your ISP or telephone provider do not know if you are slowing down the internet or have viruses on your computer.

DO NOT respond to a erequest from anyone to move mnoey to a ‘safe place’.  move money to a safe place. It is already in a safe place.

DO NOT press buttons on your phone to speak to a scammer or to stop calls. It doesn’t stop calls but pressing buttons tells scammers they have a live one willing to engage with them. You may be connected to a premium rate number.

DO NOT pay Royal Mail via a text or email. They will always leave a grey Fee To Pay card.

Ian:
Cybercrime hits two thirds of web users
Norton survey reveals extent of internet threat


Cybercrime including computer viruses, online credit card fraud and identity theft has hit over 59% of adults in the UK or around 30 million people, according to a survey.

The average cost to victims is £103 per person, which adds up a total of around £3 billion to UK consumers, claims report titled The Norton Cybercrime Report: The Human Impact.

As well as the financial impact the report shows that cybercrime has a significant emotional impact on its victims. The strongest reactions are feeling angry (58%), annoyed (51%) and cheated (40 %); in many cases, victims blame themselves for being attacked.

Former cybercrime victim, Michelle, for example told us she felt awful ‘guilt and anxiety’ when she fell victim to a fake ticketing website. Michelle paid for tickets to the Tea in the Park concert using her mother’s credit card but the tickets didn’t arrive and, by the time she realised it was a scam, over £700 had been drawn from her mother’s account.

‘I felt awful,’ says Michelle. ‘No-one can afford to lose that amount of money and it was worse that it was my mother’s money. It was horrendous. When you realise you’ve been had and it’s someone else’s money it was the worst thing.’

When you realise you’ve been had and it’s someone else’s money it was the worst thing

Of the 7,000 people surveyed only 3% don’t think it will happen to them while 80% do not expect cybercriminals to be brought to justice.

‘We accept cybercrime because of a “learned helplessness”,’ said Joseph LaBrie, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Loyola Marymount University.

Worryingly, people are doing little to prevent themselves becoming a victim of cybercrime. Only half (51%) of adults saying they would change their behaviour if they became a victim. Even scarier, fewer than half (44%) reported the crime to the police.
Solving internet crimes is frustrating. It takes an average of 28 days to resolve a cybercrime, and the average cost to resolve that crime is $334 (£217).

Despite the hassle, reporting a cybercrime is critical, says Norton lead cyber security advisor Adam Palmer. ‘We all pay for cybercrime, either directly or through pass-along costs from our financial institutions. If you fail to report a loss, you may actually be helping the criminal stay under the radar.’
Cybercrime victims out in the cold

Sadly, future victims of cybercrime in the UK will struggle to find the emotional support that they need with charity E-victims.org facing closure.

The charity has stopped sending out its email advisory service after running out of cash. Jennifer Perry, the charity’s founder told Which? Computing: ‘I’d sought funding from various government departments, the internet industry and from business. But funding hasn’t been forthcoming.’

The information on the E-Victims site will remain for a further six to 12 months but the service won’t answer individual queries or send out its scam alert.

The website’s demise is a serious blow for victims. ‘It was the only place where consumers could get direct, hands-on expertise on internet-related crime,’ said Howard Lamb, the Federation Against Copyright Theft’s internet liaison officer. ‘I don’t know where people can go now,’ he added.
Action Fraud service won’t plug the gap

The newly-created Action Fraud (AF) service is unlikely to plug the gap left by the E-Victims service.

Which? Computing reader Peter Bulloch called Action Fraud to report a cold caller pretending to be from Microsoft but the service refused to create a fraud report about the case.

An AF spokesperson clarified the agency’s role. ‘AF was set up to provide a place of support and advice for victims of e-crime. We’re there for victims of e-crime, but we also provide advice on how to stop people becoming victims.

‘If consumers wish to alert the authorities of a fraud or they have escaped being defrauded themselves then they should report the incident to Consumer Direct or Scambusters, part of the Office of Fair Trading.’
Protect yourself from cybercrime

Consumers should ensure that they have up-to-date security software to protect themselves from cybercrime. The release of The Norton Cybercrime Report coincides with the launch of Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security 2011.

Ian:
"Good day,

It took me a lot of time to summon courage to email you. It is a fact that we have not had any previous business dealings, but I strongly believe that with understanding and trust we can have a successful business relationship.

My name is Craig Jones, the Chief financial officer of New Zealand's Oil & Gas Company Ltd. For proper confirmation, visit http://www.nzog.com/staff

We have been on a project called The Kupe project. This project is to be the first phase development of gas field discoveries first made by New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) in 1986. The project was given the final go ahead to move into the construction phase in July 2006. However, a large amount of design, assessment and pre-development work preceded this decision. For proper verification on this project, visit http://www.hydrocarbons-technology.com/projects/kupe/

I have access to very vital information that can be used to move a huge amount of money out of the project account to a secured account. I have done my homework very well .I have the machineries in place to get it done since I am still in active service. If it was possible for me to do it alone I would not have bothered contacting you, ultimately I need an honest foreigner to play an important role in the completion of this business deal.

Kindly get back to me for the next line of action if you are willing to commence. I look forward to meeting you in person and doing good business with you and please treat as confidential.

You can reach me on my private email : craig_jonescfo@yahoo.co.nz

Signed:

Craig Jones

CFO- NZOG "

Yorkie:
Thanks for the info Ian.

I would like a part of the action so have rushed off a mail to Craig Jones indicating my interest in his enterprise.    Assuming that he will require details of my various bank accounts for me to receive my great wadge of the cash I have given him full details of all my various accounts so he will have no problem with making the correct deposits.

I hope you approve of my actions and will welcome me as a new milllionaire once the money comes flooding in.

Fester:
Ha ha .. nice one Yorkie ...
But just in case you forgot, I too have sent him details of YOUR bank accounts ....well, I didn't want to risk you missing out!
I knew you would appreciate it.

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