| It goes without saying that all of us are | | | | often frustrating task, to say the least! |
| constantly on the lookout for a bargain. Everyday, | | | | Over-confidence is a factor that plays right into |
| our mailboxes are filled with 'too-good-to-be-true' | | | | the hands of the internet fraudster. For example, |
| offers of 'get rich quick' schemes and | | | | the "Being conned only happens to others, not |
| opportunities that will allow us to retire from work | | | | me" syndrome. The "I'm not so stupid as to be |
| within a period that seems faster than the speed | | | | taken in by a conman!" attitude, etc., etc. Believe |
| of light. While some of these advertisements may | | | | it or not, if you think that it is only a dipstick or |
| be genuine and full of good intentions, it is argued | | | | newbie that falls for the many facets of internet |
| that around 95 per cent are nothing but outright | | | | crime - I've got news for you - there is a |
| scams in one form or another. | | | | fraudster waiting just around the corner who is |
| For example, some of the offers that hit our | | | | hell-bent on taking each and everyone of us to |
| email in - boxes often tell us that we can become | | | | the cleaners - often without you knowing it at the |
| a millionaire inside a month - GUARANTEED - if | | | | time! |
| we sign up for a particular system or scheme. | | | | In my experience, and that of many others |
| However, before you start looking for a | | | | involved in the battle against internet fraud, far |
| Hollywood mansion and/or plan your new | | | | too many internet users place too much reliance |
| millionaire lifestyle. Ask yourself one simple | | | | on software such as anti-virus, anti-spyware, |
| question - How can anyone possibly 'guarantee' | | | | spam filters, etc. Make no mistake, internet fraud |
| entry to the millionaires club within any period of | | | | is big business and high-tech these days. Today, it |
| time, if ever? The only certainty is that the | | | | would be fair to say that in a number of areas, |
| advertiser may stand a good chance of stashing | | | | the fraudsters are always one-step ahead of |
| away a fair amount of cash is a goodly number | | | | even the latest anti this or that device. If they |
| of folks fall for his or her claim. | | | | are not, it doesn't take long for them to develop |
| Sadly, statistics show that many people are lured | | | | methods which will enable their nefarious |
| into parting with their hard-earned dollars in the | | | | operations to get under or through our |
| hope that they can live the lifestyle of their | | | | computer's defences. The good news is that |
| dreams. Don't believe it? Well...in 2007, just over 3 | | | | there are various steps you can take to further |
| million people in the United Kingdom alone were | | | | shore up your defences, to make your computer |
| conned into get-rich-quick schemes or scams. | | | | a much safer place to conduct your business or |
| Furthermore, this figure is said to be only the tip | | | | simply surf the net for pleasure. |
| of the iceberg, for it is thought that there are | | | | The best basic advice to all those who use the |
| many more who were too embarrassed or | | | | internet is - No one is safe from internet fraud. |
| ashamed to admit that they too had been | | | | Let me say that again - No one is safe from |
| taken-to-the-cleaners! | | | | internet fraud! Secondly, it may well be that you |
| 419 and lottery scams, to name but two, have | | | | don't know your personal details have been |
| been doing the email rounds for a long time now. | | | | revealed to internet criminals until you KNOW it - |
| Yet, they still claim their fair share of victims | | | | probably when it is too late to do anything about |
| from all over the world each year. Over time, | | | | it! |
| there have been many theories propounded as to | | | | As the old adage tells us, "Prevention is better |
| why people seem to be so easily conned - greed, | | | | than cure!" To know what goes on in the dark |
| something for nothing (on the face of it), lack of | | | | recesses of the internet is worldly wisdom in the |
| information and education on internet crime and | | | | truest sense of the word. Even if you are busy |
| so forth. Even though there is some information | | | | earning a living on the internet or just a modest |
| on various forms of internet fraud, it would be | | | | surfer or beginner, spend some time leaning |
| fair to say that much of it is fragmented at best, | | | | where the enemy lies in wait, how they operate, |
| and available only to those who know where to | | | | and the methods they use, will assuredly be time |
| look for the information - a time-consuming and | | | | well spent. |