FBI ALERT: Nepal Earthquake Scams

FBI ALERT:  

Nepal Earthquake Scams

 

 

CyberCriminals continue to exploit the devastating

Nepal earthquake,

and the even more devastating loss of lives.

CyberCriminals are using the disaster in Nepal to trick people into clicking on links, on Facebook, Twitter, and phishing emails.  They say they are trying to solicit charitable giving for the earthquake victims.

They are trying to get your money, but their intentions are anything but charitable…

The scams that are exploiting the disaster are so abundant, and have victimized so many people, that the FBI has issued a public warning about the scams.

Here are some examples:

Facebook pages ‘dedicated to victim relief’.

These pages contain links to scam websites.

 

 

 

 

Tweets with links to ‘charitable websites’ soliciting donations.  

The links are really spam links or links that lead to your PC or other device being infected with malware.

 

 

 

 

 

Emails requesting donations to the Nepal Earthquake Fund.  

These are really phishing emails, which lead to your PC or device being infected with malware.

 

 

 

 

Be Wary of Anything You Receive About

the Nepal Earthquake.

 

The FBI Issued The Following Guidelines Before Making a Donation of Any Kind:

• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming emails, including by clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.
• Be cautious of individuals representing themselves as victims, or officials asking for donations via email or social networking sites.
• Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to, but not exactly the same, as those of reputable charities.
• Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the existence and legitimacy of non-profit organizations by using Internet-based resources.
• Be cautious of any emails that claim to show pictures of the disaster area in attached files, because those files may contain viruses.  Only open attachments from known senders.
• To ensure that contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make donations directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
• Do not be pressured into making contributions; reputable charities do not use coercive tactics.
• Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.  Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
• Avoid cash donations if possible.  Pay by debit or credit card, or write a check directly to the charity.  Do not make checks payable to individuals.
• Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services.
• Most legitimate charities maintain websites ending in “.org” rather than “.com”.

 

If you would like to donate the the Nepal earthquake victims:

        1.  Go to the website of the charity of your choice and make a donation.  

              Type the address in your browser.  

             DO NOT CLICK on any links in emails, texts, or tweets you might get.

        2.  Check out the Canadian Red Cross or American Red Cross.  

              They can tell you how you can donate to the Nepal Region Earthquake Fund.  

              **Note:  the Government of Canada will match eligible donations made to Nepal Region Earthquake Fund made through the Canadian Red Cross.

 

You can’t stop CyberCriminals from targeting you.

But you can be prepared for their arrival, and have full shields up.

 

Got Cyber-Bugs?

Call 1-204-800-3166

For Cyber-Extermination!