Several dozen Web sites are trading on the Google name to scam people who want to learn about making money from home. The sites prominently display Google, but Google has nothing to do with them.  Some sites include Google Treasure Chest, Google Money Tree, and Google Biz Kit. Complainants say they provided their credit or debit card number for shipping of information that would tell them how to make money from home using Google, but they never received the information.

Don’t be a victim of ID Theft this holiday season! When shopping online, pay with a credit card. That way, if a scam artist gets your numbers, you can dispute the charges. Also, only pay on a secured site. Look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying.  When shopping in stores, keep your purse close to prevent pick pocketing and check your credit card statement regularly to catch suspicious charges.

The FBI is reporting a significant increase in Spear Phishing emails. The emails either contain an infected attachment or direct the recipient to an infected web site. Once recipients open the attachment or visit the web site, malware is installed on their computers. The malware contains a key logger which harvests the recipient’s bank account log-in information. Shortly after, the scam artist either initiates funds transfers or creates another user account with the stolen log-in information.

Social Networking “Friends”: Online criminals are planting malicious software and codes onto victims’ computers. It starts when someone opens a spam email from a hijacked account. When opened, the spam allows the cyber intruders to steal passwords for any account on the computer, including the social networking sites. The thieves change the user’s passwords and send out distress messages claiming they are in some sort of legal or medical trouble and they request money from their social networking contacts.

Before you DONATE to a Charity do your research! Don’t succumb to pressure! Be sure it is a charity you can trust. Some charities’ names sound the same. Check with the BBB or your state’s attorney general.  Find out how the charity will use your donation, and how much of your donation will go straight to the charity. If you want to take a charitable deduction on your taxes, make sure the organization is tax exempt.  For more information go to www.bbb.org/charity.

H1N1 Scams – Be wary of any email or web site related to H1N1. People are falling victim to scams online, from “cure-all” supplements, to “H1N1 Flu Kits” that make claims to prevent you from catching the flu. The FDA recently created an H1N1 “Fraudulent Product List,” available on its Web site:  http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/h1n1flu/.

Winterize Your Car before the weather gets too cold! BBB recommends you check your battery, tires, lights, wipers and washers, heater, and defroster. Also, have a professional inspect and replace your air filter, rubber hoses, and drive belts. Also, carry safety supplies during the winter like an ice scraper, washer fluid, boots, gloves, flares, blankets, a flashlight, and spare batteries. For more information, go to bbb.org.

Free Laptop? No way! This internet hoax has been going around for years! Consumers receive an email that claims Ericsson is distributing free laptops for a brand promotion. It states to forward the email to 8 people and you will receive an Ericsson T18 Laptop, or if you send an email to 20 people, you will receive an Ericsson R320 laptop. If you get this email, it is a waste of time. Delete it!

Cash for Appliances is a new rebate program for consumers looking to purchase new energy-efficient appliances. Many details of the program are still yet to be determined. The program will occur at the state level. Consumers should see the program implemented in late 2009 or early 2010. Consumers should visit their state energy department’s Web site for updates on the program at www.energy.gov/recovery.

BBB Scam: A local consumer says she received a call from “the BBB of Washington D.C.” and was told that she won $500,000. She was told to send a fee to get her prize. First, the BBB does not hand out prizes worth a half-million bucks. Second, the area code she was given was 876, which is from Jamaica. Be wary of any calls you receive, telling you that you have won something, but you have to pay a fee to get it!

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