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Business - Scam Alert

Sunday, Sep. 20, 2009

Scam Alert: Beware E-mails Posing at FTC

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• THE SCAM: Warning from the FTC

• HOW IT WORKS: The Federal Trade Commission works on behalf of consumers, but scammers are using its name to rip off consumers. The commission warned that people are receiving e-mails that look like acknowledgment of a complaint made to the FTC. The e-mail comes with an attachment that the recipient is asked to print out for future reference. But the attachment is spyware, and opening it downloads the program onto your computer. Spyware gives con artists access to your computer activity as well as personal information.

• WHAT'S AT STAKE: Access to your computer. It could become inundated with pop-up ads, and the information it yields could be used for identity theft.

• HOW TO BEAT IT: If you receive such an e-mail, delete it. To be sure, also delete that e-mail out of your "deleted items" folder and check to make sure spyware isn't installed on your computer.

For a look at past scams, go to www.modbee.com/business/scam.