A recent Business Week article discusses how hackers, online phishers and indentity thieves are focusing more on psychology than technology to steal your personal information.<\/p>\n
From the article —<\/p>\n
Computer-based fraudsters are finding new ways to trick people — not technology — to get the information they seek<\/p>\n
“Lawsuit against you,” reads the subject line in an e-mail that hit thousands of in-boxes around the world last month. In flawless legalese, the message warns recipients that they recently sent an unsolicited fax to the sender’s office. Citing U.S. civil code, its prohibition on sending junk faxes, and an actual $11 million settlement by restaurant chain Hooters, the missive threatens a lawsuit over the alleged junk fax.<\/p>\n
“If you do not pay me $500 by the deadline for payment, I intend to sue you for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act,” it reads. “If you force me to sue, I will not settle for less than $1,000.” Details of the alleged lawsuit are contained in the document attached to the e-mail.<\/p>\n
In today’s litigious — and digital — society, being notified of a lawsuit via e-mail might not seem too unusual, right? Gotcha! The e-mail is a scam that preys on deep-seated fears of being hauled into court. Its target: unlucky recipients who may indeed be among thousands of companies that send junk faxes.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n