Internet bargain hunters are likely to become scam victims if they respond
to unsolicited or "junk" email offers that seem "too good to
be true." In 2004, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Council
of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) released the results of a BSA-commissioned
study conducted by Forrester Data on spam email.
In the United States and five other countries (Brazil, Canada, France, Germany
and the United Kingdom), the products or special offers most Internet consumers
purchased through spam are related to:
Consumers should be aware that the majority of these too-good-to-be-true
offers originate from unscrupulous vendors, many of them involved in illegal
enterprises. The products and services offered by these spammers may be not
only shoddy, counterfeit or downright fraudulent, but the consumer is also
often tricked into giving away sensitive financial and identifying information.
Based on the findings of the study and advice from experts, follow these Internet
safe-shopping tips. Don't fall under the spammer's appealing -- but too often
fraudulent -- spell.
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Recognize spam! Indicators that an email is spam
include senders whose names you don't recognize, typos and misspellings
in the subject line, and prices that seem "too good to be true."
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Use a spam filter. Options can be found via a
simple Web search. If you receive commercial spam at your work email address,
ask the person in charge of computer systems which filtering options are
available to you.
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Don't reply. Even if a spam email instructs you
to reply if you want to "unsubscribe," it could be a trap. By
replying, you may only be verifying for that spammer that your address is
active.
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Don't post. Avoid posting your email address
on public sites where spammers can find it.
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Check out the dealer. If you receive an unsolicited
email offering software and the online dealer seeking to sell you the software
isn't listed on that software manufacturer's Web site, then beware.
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Do your homework. When buying products through
a Web or online auction site, look for a feedback section on the site to
review comments on the seller based on previous transactions. Look for a
trust mark from a reputable organization such as the Better Business Bureau
(BBB).
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Get the seller's address. Using the address,
check the online merchant's record with the Better Business Bureau (
www.bbb.org).
If you cannot find a physical address, then be suspicious.
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Keep receipts. Print a copy of your order number
and sales confirmation and keep them.
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Remember that computer software is one of the top
counterfeited and pirated products offered by spammers. Compilations
of software titles from different manufacturers, or "backup" copies,
are a clear indication that the software is not legitimate. Steer clear
of these offerings. Buyers suspecting pirated or counterfeit software and/or
fraud should contact law enforcement agencies and BSA at 1-888-NO PIRACY
or
www.bsa.org.
