"Fraud promoters should think twice before plying their trade on the Internet," said Jodie Bernstein, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "First, the FTC is on the Internet beat and will follow up with spam artists who don't clean up their correspondence. Second, many consumers are already on to them -- they know better than to believe promises from strangers."
The FTC maintains an e-mail address -- uce@ftc.gov -- where consumers can forward suspicious UCEs. The FTC receives approximately 500 e-mails a day at that address.
More electronic chain-letters were forwarded to the FTC and USPS than any other type of spam. "Don't be fooled by claims that the US Postal Service has given approval for these schemes," warns Larry Maxwell of the Fraud, Prohibited Mailings and Asset Forfeiture Group of the US Postal Inspection Service. He noted that while many of the letters do reference the statute covering chain letters, Title 18, Section 1302, it actually declares the letters to be illegal rather than making them legal. The USPIS has information online on why chainletters are illegal no matter what the spammer claims.
Other common types of spam that received warnings were business opportunity offers that appeared fraudulent, "cash grant" schemes, deceptive diet and medical solicitations, credit repair scams and suspect "guaranteed credit card" solicitations.
The FTC has a new publication online about unsolicited e-mail called Trouble @ the In-Box. The National Consumer League's Internet Fraud Watch also has online tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of many different types Internet fraud.
Consumers should still forward suspicious e-mail to the Internet Fraud Watch at fraudinfo@psinet.com. Please make sure to include your full name and physical mailing address. Consumers can also report incidents or ask questions via our online forms or by calling us at 1-800-876-7060.
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