Internet
Safety Tips
The Internet places a vast amount of information and exciting experiences at your command. With the click of a mouse, the Internet allows you to buy an airline ticket, book a hotel, send flowers to a friend, or purchase your favorite stock. Good deals, convenience and a world of information abound for anyone with a computer and a connection.
However, as the legitimate use of the Internet increases throughout our nation and the world, the wrongful use of the Internet to commit crime and victimize people also increases. Law enforcement officials across the nation are reporting an ever-increasing variety of crimes being perpetuated via the Internet. The following Internet crime prevention information is meant to help you protect yourself, your loved ones, your friends, your neighbors and your community, and to make your journey on the Internet as safe, secure and crime free as possible. Below is a list of crimes commonly perpetrated on the Internet and ways of combating those crimes.
COMMON INTERNET CRIMES
Fraud
Fraud on the Internet takes many forms. The Internet's promise of substantial consumer benefits is coupled with the potential for fraud and deception. Fraud operators are opportunists who are among the first to appreciate the potential of a new technology. A fraud artist can buy a powerful computer and a modem for less than $1000.00 and for $30.00 or less per month can establish and maintain a site on the World Wide Web to solicit consumers anywhere in the world. There is nothing new about Internet fraud, however, the size and potential market, relative ease, low cost, and speed with which a scam can be perpetrated has increased tremendously.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a civil law enforcement agency that can issue administrative complaints, conduct administrative adjudication for "cease and desist" orders, or file federal lawsuits for redress of injured consumers. The FTC may also seek criminal contempt proceedings against persons who violate court orders issued at the behest of the FTC.
Pyramid Schemes Pyramid schemes are similar to multi-level marketing. Pyramid schemes provide financial incentives to recruit new distributors. They are generally prohibited because it is a mathematical certainty that the pyramids will collapse when no new distributors can be recruited. When that happens, most people lose their money. The Internet offers a fast lane for pyramid builders by facilitating a large-scale recruitment pool in little or no time. Be extremely cautious if a promoter offers you an extremely large short-term return on any investment, particularly if there is a disclaimer that the investment is "high-risk and you could lose all of your money." Additionally, if there are no written claims delineating the returns on other's investments, you are quite possibly looking at a pyramid scheme. Beware of all get rich quick schemes. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Unsolicited Commercial E-mail
Internet service providers report handling 60 million electronic messages per day. Estimates of Unsolicited Commercial E-mail (UCE) indicate it comprises as much as one-third of the total E-mail traffic. This ever-increasing volume of UCE strains the capacity of online service providers and threatens the development of the Internet as a conduit for commerce. Beyond the sheer volume and potential annoyance of UCE, many UCE messages may also be misleading or deceptive.
Online Auctions
Online auctions are popular to many people who use the Internet. Generally, online auctions are person to person sales where individuals bid for various types of merchandise. The highest bidder then pays in advance of receiving the merchandise. A growing problem is sellers failing to deliver merchandise that consumers have purchased.
Teaser Pages
The Internet is rife with fraud and deception. Some web pages "tease" individuals with promises of easy money for little or nothing. These scams include phony scholarships, travel programs, weight loss programs and others.
The Internet places a vast amount of information and exciting experiences at your command. With the click of a mouse, the Internet allows you to buy an airline ticket, book a hotel, send flowers to a friend, or purchase your favorite stock. Good deals, convenience and a world of information abound for anyone with a computer and a connection.
However, as the legitimate use of the Internet increases throughout our nation and the world, the wrongful use of the Internet to commit crime and victimize people also increases. Law enforcement officials across the nation are reporting an ever-increasing variety of crimes being perpetuated via the Internet. The following Internet crime prevention information is meant to help you protect yourself, your loved ones, your friends, your neighbors and your community, and to make your journey on the Internet as safe, secure and crime free as possible. Below is a list of crimes commonly perpetrated on the Internet and ways of combating those crimes.
COMMON INTERNET CRIMES
Fraud
Fraud on the Internet takes many forms. The Internet's promise of substantial consumer benefits is coupled with the potential for fraud and deception. Fraud operators are opportunists who are among the first to appreciate the potential of a new technology. A fraud artist can buy a powerful computer and a modem for less than $1000.00 and for $30.00 or less per month can establish and maintain a site on the World Wide Web to solicit consumers anywhere in the world. There is nothing new about Internet fraud, however, the size and potential market, relative ease, low cost, and speed with which a scam can be perpetrated has increased tremendously.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a civil law enforcement agency that can issue administrative complaints, conduct administrative adjudication for "cease and desist" orders, or file federal lawsuits for redress of injured consumers. The FTC may also seek criminal contempt proceedings against persons who violate court orders issued at the behest of the FTC.
Pyramid Schemes Pyramid schemes are similar to multi-level marketing. Pyramid schemes provide financial incentives to recruit new distributors. They are generally prohibited because it is a mathematical certainty that the pyramids will collapse when no new distributors can be recruited. When that happens, most people lose their money. The Internet offers a fast lane for pyramid builders by facilitating a large-scale recruitment pool in little or no time. Be extremely cautious if a promoter offers you an extremely large short-term return on any investment, particularly if there is a disclaimer that the investment is "high-risk and you could lose all of your money." Additionally, if there are no written claims delineating the returns on other's investments, you are quite possibly looking at a pyramid scheme. Beware of all get rich quick schemes. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Unsolicited Commercial E-mail
Internet service providers report handling 60 million electronic messages per day. Estimates of Unsolicited Commercial E-mail (UCE) indicate it comprises as much as one-third of the total E-mail traffic. This ever-increasing volume of UCE strains the capacity of online service providers and threatens the development of the Internet as a conduit for commerce. Beyond the sheer volume and potential annoyance of UCE, many UCE messages may also be misleading or deceptive.
Online Auctions
Online auctions are popular to many people who use the Internet. Generally, online auctions are person to person sales where individuals bid for various types of merchandise. The highest bidder then pays in advance of receiving the merchandise. A growing problem is sellers failing to deliver merchandise that consumers have purchased.
Teaser Pages
The Internet is rife with fraud and deception. Some web pages "tease" individuals with promises of easy money for little or nothing. These scams include phony scholarships, travel programs, weight loss programs and others.
The Risk-free Scam
Many times this scam solicits its victims with exotic-sounding investments such as wireless cable projects, prime bank securities or fictitious business ventures overseas. Promoters misrepresent risk to "investors" by comparing their offer to something safe, such as bank security deposits. Many times the investment offer never really exists.
The Pump and Dump
This is a stock scam. Messages are posted on the Internet urging readers to buy stock quickly that is poised for rapid growth. The message writer often claims to have inside information about an impending development. The reality is that the writer stands to gain by selling or buying stock shares after the price goes up or down. This ploy is normally used with unregistered, little known, thinly traded stocks.
The Hijack
The Hijack is a relatively new form of fraud unique to the Internet. Consumers are prompted to download a purported "viewer program" to see computer images for free. Once downloaded, the consumer's computer is "hijacked" by the viewer program which turns off the consumer's modem speakers, disconnects the computer from the local Internet provider, dials an international number and connects the consumer to a remote site. The expensive international costs are charged to the consumer’s telephone bill until the telephone is turned off.
High Pressure Sales
A high-pressure sales pitch may sound exciting, however, as a rule, such a pitch should be resisted. Before you invest any money, take your time. Get a second opinion from a financial planner, an attorney, or an accountant you can trust. Finally, research the company’s reputation. Call your local consumer protection agency in the city where the company is headquartered for more information.
Following are lines frequently used by scam artists:
A high-pressure sales pitch may sound exciting, however, as a rule, such a pitch should be resisted. Before you invest any money, take your time. Get a second opinion from a financial planner, an attorney, or an accountant you can trust. Finally, research the company’s reputation. Call your local consumer protection agency in the city where the company is headquartered for more information.
Following are lines frequently used by scam artists:
- "We don’t make money unless you make money."
- "I know you get offers everyday from people who tell you they’re going to make you rich. I can make it easy for you to make your decision based on actual facts."
- "This opportunity is the best chance to make extra money for guys who work for a living; guys like you and me."
- "I’ve been in this business for 20 years and I can tell you this; I know of no other program that is legal, easy to afford and can bring in this kind of big money from such a small investment."
- "I know this can work for you and I personally guarantee your success, right down to the last penny."
- "Give me one percent of your trust and I’ll earn the other 99 percent when you see the return."
- "Of course there is a risk, there is a risk in everything."
- "Sure we could finance this venture ourselves, however, we’re trying to build a power base for the future for folks like you."
- "We’re talking about a cash cow here, it’s going fast and I need your check tomorrow at the latest."
- "I can’t be lying, there are laws against lying."
Gambling
One of the greatest potential dangers for fraudulent loss posed for people using the Internet is gambling. There are as many as 200 gambling sites on the Internet. Consumers may gamble on sports, Blackjack, Keno, Roulette, etc. Gambling on the Internet is especially risky because gambling is an unregulated industry and currently, there is no effective way to control it. Companies based in foreign countries using foreign bank accounts are able to easily bilk consumers out of their money. Many times Internet "gamblers" are unable to contact the companies with whom they placed their bets to collect their winnings. Gambling on the Internet exposes consumers to fraud, civil liability and possible criminal liability.
One of the greatest potential dangers for fraudulent loss posed for people using the Internet is gambling. There are as many as 200 gambling sites on the Internet. Consumers may gamble on sports, Blackjack, Keno, Roulette, etc. Gambling on the Internet is especially risky because gambling is an unregulated industry and currently, there is no effective way to control it. Companies based in foreign countries using foreign bank accounts are able to easily bilk consumers out of their money. Many times Internet "gamblers" are unable to contact the companies with whom they placed their bets to collect their winnings. Gambling on the Internet exposes consumers to fraud, civil liability and possible criminal liability.
Child Exploitation
Children can be sexually exploited, kidnapped, molested and solicited by individuals using online services. One reason is the anonymous nature of the Internet. Another reason is the large number of people using the Internet. Pedophiles contact children on the Internet through E-mail messages, electronic bulletin boards and public chat rooms. Pedophiles will make telephone contact with victims by having children call collect so the pedophile's telephone number will not show up on their parent's telephone bill. Pedophiles will also purchase a prepaid telephone card and give children a toll free access number enabling children to call from anywhere they choose.
Pedophiles will often convince children to send them a photograph. Pedophiles will offer children money for their photographs and/or pose as professional photographers to obtain nude, graphic or sexually explicit photographs of children. Pedophiles commonly attempt to lower the inhibitions of children through deception in an attempt to lead children into other sexual conversations or acts.
Children can be sexually exploited, kidnapped, molested and solicited by individuals using online services. One reason is the anonymous nature of the Internet. Another reason is the large number of people using the Internet. Pedophiles contact children on the Internet through E-mail messages, electronic bulletin boards and public chat rooms. Pedophiles will make telephone contact with victims by having children call collect so the pedophile's telephone number will not show up on their parent's telephone bill. Pedophiles will also purchase a prepaid telephone card and give children a toll free access number enabling children to call from anywhere they choose.
Pedophiles will often convince children to send them a photograph. Pedophiles will offer children money for their photographs and/or pose as professional photographers to obtain nude, graphic or sexually explicit photographs of children. Pedophiles commonly attempt to lower the inhibitions of children through deception in an attempt to lead children into other sexual conversations or acts.
There are a number of ways parents can protect their
children from becoming victims of pedophiles on the Internet. The following are
some examples:
• Choose an online service that offers parental control features;
• Purchase blocking software and design your own safety system;
• Monitor children that are online and monitor the time they spend online;
• Ensure children never reveal identifying information about themselves on the Internet in a public chat room, on an electronic bulletin board or in their E-mail messages;
• Ensure children do not give out personal information about themselves such as their age;
• Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name;
• Get to know the services your child uses;
• Block out objectionable material through your Internet service provider;
• Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission;
• Ensure children never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent or threatening;
• Encourage children to tell you whenever they encounter such messages;
• If you or your children receives a message that is harassing, sexual in nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your service provider and ask for their assistance;
• If you become aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography while online, report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children;
• Teach children that people online may not be who they seem;
• Teach children online service providers never ask for passwords and they should never give their password out;
• Teach children that everything they read or see on the Internet may not be true;
• Teach children to never let anyone pressure them into doing something they feel uncomfortable doing;
• Teach children to never enter an area on the Internet that charges for services without asking permission from a responsible adult first;
• Some children have access to the Internet at school. Check with the school authorities to ensure your children are properly supervised and monitored by a responsible adult;
• Know your children's friends and their parents; and
• Set reasonable rules for computer use by your children. Discuss the rules with your children and post them near the computer as a reminder.
• Choose an online service that offers parental control features;
• Purchase blocking software and design your own safety system;
• Monitor children that are online and monitor the time they spend online;
• Ensure children never reveal identifying information about themselves on the Internet in a public chat room, on an electronic bulletin board or in their E-mail messages;
• Ensure children do not give out personal information about themselves such as their age;
• Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name;
• Get to know the services your child uses;
• Block out objectionable material through your Internet service provider;
• Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission;
• Ensure children never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent or threatening;
• Encourage children to tell you whenever they encounter such messages;
• If you or your children receives a message that is harassing, sexual in nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your service provider and ask for their assistance;
• If you become aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography while online, report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children;
• Teach children that people online may not be who they seem;
• Teach children online service providers never ask for passwords and they should never give their password out;
• Teach children that everything they read or see on the Internet may not be true;
• Teach children to never let anyone pressure them into doing something they feel uncomfortable doing;
• Teach children to never enter an area on the Internet that charges for services without asking permission from a responsible adult first;
• Some children have access to the Internet at school. Check with the school authorities to ensure your children are properly supervised and monitored by a responsible adult;
• Know your children's friends and their parents; and
• Set reasonable rules for computer use by your children. Discuss the rules with your children and post them near the computer as a reminder.
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