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Email Scams Circulating

05/08/2012

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office would once again like to remind residents to be careful when giving out personal information.

Recently, our office was notified of two email scams, known as “spoofing.”  The emails use a technique referred to as “Phishing,” which is an attempt to acquire information, such as usernames, passwords or credit card details. 

In one of the incidents recently reported, a resident received an email from support@rentpay.com.au.

The email stated that the citizens “rental payment are deducted from your bank accounts by RentPay every fortnight (sic) for $76.00.  There is a $3.00 monthly service fee for using this service as per Terms and Conditions you have agreed upon registration.”

However, the potential victim never registered for any service and had never had any dealings with the company.  This email, known as spoofing, was likely an attempt to have the would be victim contact the company, provide bank account information so they could “verify” the transactions, and then the scam artists would have the victims account number.

Fortunately, in this situation, the resident did not provide any personal information, contacted law enforcement and her bank to ensure no automatic payments were being made without her authorization.

The second incident was an email to a local resident from Vicki.Tennant@det.wa.edu.au  The email read, “You’ve won (1,000,000.00 Pounds), from the Microsoft Monthly Lottery you are to Send your person information to Contact Person: Mrs. Rita Hall. Email: (claimsdept71@kimo.com) Info needed: Names, Age, Country, Tel: Home Address:”

Again, this email was clearly an attempt to excite the recipient by the thought of winning money, and then attempt to gain personal information.

Fortunately, in both these situations, the potential victims recognized these emails as scam attempts and did not become victimized.

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