Hoaxes, Spams & Scams

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This section of Cyber Top Cops is no longer maintained and has been replaced by the SHPAMEE Project.

The purpose of this section is not to list every possible hoax, spam or scam e-mail, but to educate users on how to identify them, by looking for certain characteristics and using a little common sense.

The following articles provide some insight into the problems and dangers of e-mail scams, hoaxes and spam and how to avoid them:

Smelling A Hoax A Mile Away By Using A Little Common Sense: A step-by-step explanation how to identify a hoax.
Protocol Against Spam: Taking a look at some of the methods used to prevent spam from landing in our inboxes.
Don't Become A Victim Of Identity Theft: Prevent your identity from being stolen
Cyber Crime Made Easier Through Impersonality: The reasons why it so easy to commit cyber crime
The Dangers Of Chain Letters And Petition Lists: These popular e-mails are not as harmless as you my think.
The Key To Beating Spam: Ways of treating and preventing spam contamination.

The examples listed below should give you a good idea of what the most common hoaxes, spams and scams look like.

Hoaxes and Spams

E-mail Scams

Phishing Scams

MillerSmiles.co.uk - The webs dedicated anti-phishing service :: Scam Alert Service

Hsbc Security Message. - alert@hsbc.co.uk(GB
Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:00:02
Important alert Your account Have been Locked www.hsbc.com/1/2/unlock/account/upgrade Phone: 0844 600 11 44Fax: 0844 600 22 44 HSBC Group Team ...

Dear HSBC Bank UK Cardholder, - Hsbc
Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:00:02
DEAR HSBC BANK UK CARDHOLDER, YOU HAVE ONE NEW MESSAGE. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO LOG ON TO YOUR ACCOUNT TO VIEW MESSAGE. ______________________________________________________ Thanks for your co-operation. Fraud Prevention Unit Legal Advisor HSBC Bank UK. Please do not reply to this message. For any inquiries, contact Customer Service. 2010 HSBC Bank UK. National Association, Inc. ...

ACTIVATE YOUR VERIFIED BY VISA - Verified by
Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:00:01
Visa Card UsersYour credit card is suspended, because we've noticed you have not Activate verify by Visa.Activate Verified by Visa to protect you against unauthorized purchases when shopping online is quick and easy. For your protection, we've suspended your credit card. To activate your card, CLICK HERE and follow the procedure toupdate your Credit Card.Note: If not completed by Sept 08, 2010, we will be forced to suspend your card because it can be us...

AOL BILLING UPDATE ALERT ! - AOL BILLING SECURITY CENTER
Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:00:02
DEAR AOL MEMBER , WE RECENTLY UPGRADED OUR AOL SERVICE SECURITY SYSTEM WITH A NEWLY ESTABLISHED IN WHICH GUARANTEE\'S YOUR MAXIMUMPROTECTION WHEN ACCESSING YOUR ACCOUNT ONLINE. FAILURE TO VERIFY YOUR RECORDS WILL RESULT IN ACCOUNT SUSPENSION. CLICKTHE LINK BELOW AND ENTER YOUR LOGIN INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE TO CONFIRM YOUR BILLING INFORMATION RECORDS.. THANK YOU Click here to verify your account YOU\'VE RECEIVED THIS EMAIL BASED ON YOUR UPDA...

Notice Alert(Upgrade Your 2010 Halifax Bank Information) - Halifax Bank Plc
Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:00:01
DEAR HALIFAX CUSTOMER, 2010 UPDATE Due to concerns, for the safety and integrity of the Halifax account we have issued this warning message.It has come to our attention that your Halifax account information needs to be updated as part of our continuing commitment to protect your account in this year 2010 and to reduce the instance of fraud on our website. If you could please take 5-10 minutes out of your online experience and update your personal records you ...

Phishing News

MillerSmiles.co.uk Phishing News Service

Weekly analysis - 28th August 2010 to 4th September 2010
Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT
MillerSmiles provides its weekly phishing analysis for the week of 28th August 2010 to 4th September 2010

Weekly analysis - 21st August 2010 to 28th August 2010
Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT
MillerSmiles provides its weekly phishing analysis for the week of 21st August 2010 to 28th August 2010

Weekly analysis - 14th August 2010 to 21st August 2010
Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT
MillerSmiles provides its weekly phishing analysis for the week of 14th August 2010 to 21st August 2010

Weekly analysis - 7th August 2010 to 14th August 2010
Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT
MillerSmiles provides its weekly phishing analysis for the week of 7th August 2010 to 14th August 2010

Weekly analysis - 31st July 2010 to 7th August 2010
Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT
MillerSmiles provides its weekly phishing analysis for the week of 31st July 2010 to 7th August 2010