Scam Alert: Con is nothing to shout about

THE SCAM: Yahoo lottery

HOW IT WORKS: The latest variation on the "lottery scam" comes from a con artist who passes it off as a contest conducted by Yahoo, the online search engine. The scam, which comes by e-mail, tells recipients that they have won a $1 million Yahoo lottery and asks them to submit some information, such as a bank account or credit card number, to collect their winnings. Yahoo filed a lawsuit in New York City to stop the scammers, though it's unclear who is behind the lottery e-mail, which still is circulating. The e-mail is not affiliated with Yahoo, and there is no prize money. The senders are after information that can be used for identity theft.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: Your identity

HOW TO BEAT IT: Yahoo's lawsuit to stop the scam should be a clear sign that any e-mail talking about a Yahoo lottery is bogus. Delete the e-mail.

Contact Bee staff writer Ben van der Meer at bvandermeer@modbee.com or 578-2331.

For past Scam Alerts, go to www.modbee.com/ business/scam.