Consumer Defense Summary. There has been a recent wave of email account hackings which have resulted in email messages being distributed in batches to people on the contact list address book of the hacked user account. How? People often wonder how this happens. If their computer has a spyware virus, or if they have used… Continue reading AOL or Hotmail Account Hacked Hijack Password Reset Recommendation
Tag: consumer advisory
Fake YouTube Email – Your Video Has Been Approved
Consumer Defense Alert. Beware of emails from known legitimate sources that look authentic but are not. Below is an example received today. The image shown is a bit fuzzy, but the original is crisp and high quality. The best way to identify the authenticity of emails and their internal links is to hover your mouse… Continue reading Fake YouTube Email – Your Video Has Been Approved
Web of Trust – WOT – Investigating Claims of Fraud, Scam, Extortion, RICO Racket – Evaluation and Review
Consumer Defense Resource Group Introduction. Web of Trust (WOT) is an Internet safety and website rating plugin that works with most popular browsers like Firefox. In principle, the service works based on collected user reviews as well as reports from third party agencies and organizations. The Firefox download at CNET has a 5 solid star… Continue reading Web of Trust – WOT – Investigating Claims of Fraud, Scam, Extortion, RICO Racket – Evaluation and Review
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Takes Action Against Fake News Websites as False Advertising
Activism > Consumer Defense Resource Group Update. Seven months after we first reported about the use of fake news websites as advertising (21 September 2010), the Federal Trade Commission began taking action against those using this deceptive practice. Our original report is below. Here are stories about the FTC actions: 19 April 2011 – FTC Seeks… Continue reading Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Takes Action Against Fake News Websites as False Advertising
Online Complaint Form for Reporting Unsolicited Spam Text Messages to the FCC for Government Action
Federal law prohibits unsolicited text messages like the one shown here. If you receive an unsolicited spam text SMS message, fill out the online complaint form on the FCC website. Please note that the form is for multiple tips of complaints, so if a question doesn’t apply, just ignore it. If you prefer, you can… Continue reading Online Complaint Form for Reporting Unsolicited Spam Text Messages to the FCC for Government Action
Patented Life Forms: Monsanto Patent for a Pig Video Documentary (View Online)
Below is a documentary video (in five parts) about Monsanto making a request to patent pigs with a certain genetic makeup they claim is created by a proprietary breeding method only they own the rights to. If any of the pigs with a genetic marker from Monsanto were to breed with other pigs, then their marker… Continue reading Patented Life Forms: Monsanto Patent for a Pig Video Documentary (View Online)
Google AdSense Potential Source of Malware
Security | Technology Summary. Do a Google search for “Google AdSense Malware” (without quotes) and you’ll get over a million results. In fact, before you can even finish typing the search request, Google will suggest the search for you (since it’s become so popular). This is shown below (click here or image below for larger view).… Continue reading Google AdSense Potential Source of Malware
Alert: Beware Fake AT&T My Wireless Bill
Consumer Alert | Technology Summary. There is a fake email circulating supposedly from AT&T about a wireless bill being ready to view. The links in the email, however, don’t go to AT&T’s website. They go (presumably) to a malicious site that will attempt to get your personal information or infect your computer with viruses. As long… Continue reading Alert: Beware Fake AT&T My Wireless Bill
Alert: Beware My Verizon Bill is Fake Malicious Email
Consumer Alert | Technology Summary. There is a fake email circulating supposedly from Verizon about a bill being due. The links in the email, however, don’t go to Verizon’s website. They go (presumably) to a malicious site that will attempt to get your personal information or infect your computer with viruses. As long as you don’t… Continue reading Alert: Beware My Verizon Bill is Fake Malicious Email
Amazon Working Conditions – OSHA Investigates Heat in Pennsylvania Fulfillment Center – Consumer Report and Action Response
Activism > Consumer Defense Summary. In June 2011 Amazon was sited for having poor working conditions (excessive heat) in one of their east coast order fulfillment centers. Amazon has since remedied the situation (as explained below) and OSHA has closed their investigation of the matter. Further research revealed that safety at Amazon fulfillment centers is better… Continue reading Amazon Working Conditions – OSHA Investigates Heat in Pennsylvania Fulfillment Center – Consumer Report and Action Response
Website Browsing Tracked for Aggregate Consumer Analysis and Advertising
Finance | Consumer Defense Summary. Facebook, Google, and a host of other websites and advertisers track your browsing habits using cookies and other methods. Usually this is to provide advertising that’s relevant for your likes and dislikes. It’s almost creepy. You visit an online store, and soon begin to see ads for that store showing up… Continue reading Website Browsing Tracked for Aggregate Consumer Analysis and Advertising
Fake YouTube Email Spam is Hoax and Fraud with Links to Possible Malicious Website or Identity Theft Site
Consumer Defense Summary. A fake email that poses as being from a YouTube user is circulating. An image of the email is below. The text reads, “Username has sent you a message: Sorry… your email address here Can I place your video on my web site? You can reply to this message by visiting your inbox.”… Continue reading Fake YouTube Email Spam is Hoax and Fraud with Links to Possible Malicious Website or Identity Theft Site