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Consumer Advocate Falls
For Phishing Scam
Yep, that's right. The author of this website
fell for an internet phishing scam-- hook, line and sinker. I received an email offer for a
BOGO on Snuggies (blankets that can be worn like a robe). My
mom was recovering from a stroke and she felt cold all the
time. I wanted to get a Snuggie to keep her warm, so I entered
my bank card information. Everything seemed legit. After all, I've seen ads
for Snuggies on TV and the website had a toll free telephone
number.
Two weeks went by and the payment still hadn't been withdrawn from
my account. I tried
calling the 800 number several times over a 2 day period and
got a busy signal every time. I was getting very suspicious so
I clicked to the website from the link in the email. It was then
that I noticed there was a redirect to a different web address.
Also, I noticed the address on the site is a PO Box and
most likely a bogus one at that. There was no valid email
address.
The scammers are
from other countries so they're almost impossible to catch.
They send emails and direct their victims to spoof
websites to collect their bank account information. They keep
the websites up for a period of time and they don't withdraw any
funds. When that time has passed, they remove the website and
proceed to clean the bank accounts of everyone who placed an
order.
Fortunately, I realized what was happening before they had the chance to rob
me blind. I went to my bank and cancelled the account I used to place
the order.
Lesson learned: Never, ever give
out financial information in response to an email . If you order something
online call the phone number first. If it takes more than a
few days for your payment to be
processed, that is a big red flag. Also, never let
your guard down for even a second. People are especially
susceptible to this kind of phishing scam during holidays, special occasions, when
loved ones are ill, etc. Beware! |
