Email Scams

I just received the latest email scam from Nigeria.  Actually, they identify themselves as FBI agents who want you to contact Rev. Frank Kelly with the Department of Homeland Security.  This one uses an AOL email address that they mask with an official looking "fbi.gov" tag.

The sad part is that I only have 24 hours to respond, by email only, or face legal action.  Oh no, NOT THAT!  Oh the horror!

Okay, let me give you a few hints about email scams.

1. The FBI doesn't solicit via email ever!
2. The DHS doesn't have the rank of Rev.
3. Anything from Nigeria is a scam!  Let me say this again - Anything from Nigeria is a scam!  Why would an email from the FBI ever have a logo and address from Nigeria?
4. Just because there is an official logo doesn't mean it is official (they just copy and paste it).
5. The FBI will never have you contact them via email and never with any response time (if it is that urgent an agent will kindly show up at your door and escort you to their facility - just check their ID carefully).
6. Do not get all panicked by a threat of legal action.  GOOGLE it or check the links below.  Do your research!
7. You can always file a complaint at http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx (yes this is the offical FBI site - Google it if you don't trust me)

Here is a great site to check out the latest scams and what to do about them: http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams

Oh, by the way, I finally filed a complaint and had missed the link on the FBI site that said the email was a fraud (Fraud Email from FBI).  Oh well, I guess they need to keep busy.