Scammers utilize an array of tricks to get you to perform actions that only benefit them. Hooking to popular topics is one of their tools, such as posting tweets and/or fake news surrounding trending topics on twitter. Monitor for a few minutes any given trending topic, and you’ll see the nonsensical spam weave its way into the stream. However, natural disasters, especially those of the magnitude of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan today, are an even better tool for scammers. Utilizing the general goodwill of humanity and overall social pressure for others to join in on relief efforts, scammers setup various fake charities and spoofed sites in attempts to steal your financial information for their own profit. Here’s a few simple steps you can follow to avoid these scammers.
Only use reputable sites when making donations. Established and trusted sites like the American Red Cross are the safest bets to making sure your donations are done securely and support their intended mission. You can also find other reputable charities or relief agencies through reputable and trusted publications, as it is assumed they have done the necessary research on the charities they are advertising.
However, be sure to check your spelling. Authenticity is the key. Scammers spoof reputable agencies and sites by variating the spelling slightly, taking advantage of common typos, and/or using a similar, yet different, name but mimicking the colors, logo, and layout of the reputable site. If the site doesn’t have an SSL certificate on the payment processing page, then that’s a clear giveaway the site isn’t legit. Although scammers can get SSL certificates for their spoofed site, it is difficult for them to do so and maintain the validity from any reputable SSL provider.
Lastly, use your common sense and instincts. If something seems wrong about the situation, there probably is something wrong. Carefully review what you’re doing before proceeding, and even ask someone else if you’re unsure of the validity of a site or agency.
Most importantly, don’t be discouraged by the actions of these scammers. If you feel the urge to donate, please do so. A really safe and easy way to help is via SMS text, courtesy of the Red Cross.
American Red CrossTxt REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to #Japan eq & Pacific #tsunami relief. http://bit.ly/eZJDoJ
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