Police Warning: Online Scams & Phishing Emails
Saying that it has “come to our attention that members of the public are still being deceived,” the Bermuda Police Service has issued a reminder to the public about online scams and phishing e-mails.
Once again the Bermuda Police Service would like to remind members of the public about online scams and phishing e-mails as it has come to our attention that members of the public are still being deceived. The scam artists are becoming more sophisticated with their operations and the public must remain vigilant. The various forms of such scams are as follows:
- Phishing e-mails via Hotmail, Yahoo and other e-mail providers which appear to be from banks, other legitimate financial institutions, recognized companies or from someone in your address book. Such e-mails might ask for personal data or account information. Some may even ask the recipient to make a phone call to an unknown person to give information. It is becoming more common for these phishing e-mails to include an official looking logo (such as a bank crest etc.) or other similar official looking information which can give it the appearance of being legitimate.
- Websites and links for employment on local job websites from overseas companies – i.e. a mystery shopping job, where money is placed into your account and you are then required to wire the money back to the individual.
- Counterfeit cheques or bank drafts for large sums of money apparently sent from a bank relating to investments or lottery winnings.
- Letters or e-mails on Facebook concerning inheritance of large sums of money due to the death of an unknown person with the same last name as you.
- Online classifieds websites (like E-moo) – If the person is not selling locally or if an overseas person requests to purchase items posted on a local online classifieds site be wary, as it may not be legitimate. Residents should not send any monies to unknown persons before receiving the goods.
Please be aware that banks or other legitimate financial institutions will never ask you for your personal account information or password. If you are asked to give any personal details or promised money randomly, then it is probably not genuine. Remember – if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
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