‘Tis the season when some extra money comes in handy. Imagine then getting news you have won money from www.bezosearthfund.org.
You’re entitled to some of the money that Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos is giving away — or so you think.
A quick check of the internet, and you learn that sure enough, this Earth Fund is the real deal. And it must be the real deal because the news of your amazing luck comes from an old friend you haven’t connected with in some time. He says you’re on a list he saw for a big chunk of Bezos’ money, with no strings attached.
But there’s no way to confirm anything about the specific giveaway claim. Amazingly, the same week another old friend tells you about other possibilities for receiving a six-figure sum of money. This time the news of newfound money is coming from a department head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
These sorts of online come-ons are part of a perfect storm for fraud according the San Diego County District Attorney’s representative on the Computer and Technology Crimes High-Tech Task Force, known as CATCH. And the Federal Trade Commission confirms that they are on the increase.
Besides the enticement of money, there are emotional pulls that come into play. For instance, they make you think you are reconnecting with old friends during the holidays, said Ryan Karkenny of the District Attorney’s…
