Scams in the midst of tragedy

Subject: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: Allan C.
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 07:38 AM

I suppose it is to be expected that there would be some sick people who would want to profit from the recent events. Please be as certain as you can that your donations go to a reputable organization.

The following is an exerpt from an email I just received from my ISP:

The Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email ( CAUCE) and the SpamCon Foundation warned Wednesday that con artists are concocting online fraud to profit from the gruesome attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, which may have killed thousands of people.

The groups say that most online scams come in the form of unsolicited e-mail, or spam, and postings in community forums soliciting donations for victims and survivors of the attacks. A typical message claims to be part of an "Express Relief Fund" or "Victims Survivor Fund." Another widespread e-mail solicited donations for the Red Cross, but the link led to a Web site unconnected with the popular, nonprofit relief organization.

The agencies cautioned would-be donors to verify the solicitor's identity through another medium such as the telephone before donating money through credit cards or sending checks.

"Virtually no bona fide relief agencies request funds by sending e-mail to people who are not already involved in that agency," CAUCE and SpamCon warned in a joint statement. "Solicitations made in this way may also violate laws in the United States and Europe."

Another group, Internet Scambusters, warned that con artists were setting up legitimate-looking Web sites for donations. The group provided a list of reputable organizations that were taking donations--including Redcross.org, Unitedway.org, Helping.org...

Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: Allan C.
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 07:46 AM

More details can be found at the CAUCE website.

Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: Amos
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 03:26 PM

Thanks for the heads up. That such vermin exist is part of the nightmare. Can you imagine diverting funds from the Red Cross this week for personal profit??? Yucchhhh!!! I spit.

Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 07:31 PM

It should be dealt with in the most severe possible way. Animals!

Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 07:48 PM

I notice that the link I had put up on the main page The Annexe to the Red Cross Fund which I got from another similar thread to this here is not listed in the CAUCE methods of donating to the Red Cross (or I can't find it).

My feeling is that CAUCE is not complete but perhaps someone can confirm this just in case. The link I gave is http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-wtc2/

Jon

Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 10:36 PM

Know what? This is just the start of it too. I hope we put some energy into tracking down these assholes as well as the cro-magnons attacking Arab Americans. Seems a good additional job for Bush's new department.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: Allan C.
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 10:58 PM

Jon, I would imagine that at least some of the information CAUCE has is gotten from folks who send them tips. I am sure there are new bogus charities and new forms of spam born every day - more than anyone could keep up with.

BTW, I finally found the website for the SpamCon Foundation.

Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 11:05 PM

The start of it in Mudcat terms was Beware Phoney Donation Schemes

Jon

Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 11:36 PM

Sorry Allan, I should have posted back what I found: Reading the Cauce page led me to wonder as they only listed a couple of GENIUNE sites to donate to Red Cross that others may be phoney. There is a whole list of genuine companies and websites for the Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/sponsors/customerdonors.html

Jon

Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy
From: HelenJ
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 09:20 AM

An article in the 'Metro' newspaper - a Manchester freebie states this week a couple from Sale are sueing their travel agent. The day they were supposed to wed, somewhere near the Tower, the minister could not get across the city because of the disaster. They were married that same evening by another minister at another location. What Gothic obscenity.

HelenJ.