FRAUDRED — Breaking Fraud Alerts from Identity Theft 911
FBI Warns of Online "Tsunami Disaster Relief" Scams
The FBI has issued an alert warning the public against a variety of online scams disguised as tsunami disaster relief efforts which solicit funds, account information, and personal identity data. These scams include:
- Fraudulent web sites purportedly established to assist with collection and relief efforts
- Unsolicited (spam) email messages supposedly seeking help for disaster victims
- Responses to email addresses posted by families and friends of individuals missing in the disaster, offering to help locate them in exchange for a fee
- At least one fraudulent "disaster relief donation" web site containing an embedded "Trojan horse" program that can infect a site visitor's computer
The FBI and Identity Theft 911 offer the following advice:
- Never respond to unsolicited (spam) emails.
- Be suspicious of anyone claiming to be a tsunami survivor or a foreign government official who asks for your help placing large sums in overseas bank accounts.
- Go directly to known web sites of recognized charities and aid organizations after keying in the address yourself. Do not provide account information or identity data after following links provided on web sites or in email messages. Be aware that security flaws in certain web browsers (notably certain versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer) make it possible to mask a malicious web destination by displaying the address of a legitimate web site.
- If you receive an email message with an attached file purportedly containing one or more images of the disaster, do not open it. The attachment may actually contain a virus or other malicious program that could make your information available to identity thieves.
- Verify the existence, legitimacy, and non-profit status of organizations that claim to be collecting funds for disaster victims.
In addition, if you are targeted by a scam attempt of this kind, please report it to Identity Theft 911 at fraudalert@identitytheft911.com and to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) via the web site http://www.ic3.gov. 
Warning Signs
- Suspicious attempts to solicit funds, account information, or personal identity data, purportedly for "tsunami disaster relief"
- Requests for help placing large sums in overseas bank accounts, supposedly from "tsunami survivors" or "foreign government officials"
- Suspicious links to supposed "disaster relief donation" web sites
- Email with an attached file that purportedly contains images of the disaster
- Email offering to help locate a missing loved one for a fee
Recommended Actions
Never respond to unsolicited (spam) emails.
Never open email attachments from unknown sources.
Be suspicious of requests to handle large sums of money for "tsunami survivors" or "government officials." Never give such people your identity or account information.
Do not provide account information or identity data after following links provided on web sites or in email messages.
Key in web addresses yourself when visiting legitimate relief organizations online.
Consider alternatives to the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser.
Verify the existence, legitimacy, and non-profit status of supposed relief organizations.
Report scam attempts to Identity Theft 911 and to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Never open email attachments from unknown sources.
Be suspicious of requests to handle large sums of money for "tsunami survivors" or "government officials." Never give such people your identity or account information.
Do not provide account information or identity data after following links provided on web sites or in email messages.
Key in web addresses yourself when visiting legitimate relief organizations online.
Consider alternatives to the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser.
Verify the existence, legitimacy, and non-profit status of supposed relief organizations.
Report scam attempts to Identity Theft 911 and to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
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