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September 2001 Newsletter:
Scams and Fraud Among Honest Relief Efforts

Please accept my apologies for the lateness of the arrival of this newsletter.

As nations mourn the latest tragedy and each person returns to their daily lives, whether that involves mourning those that died, rejoicing with the survivors, returning to work, or staying home nurturing and comforting the next generation, each of us still need to be aware of those unscrupulous individuals that take advantage of good intentioned persons in the name of national support.

Be cautious about the email or phone call that requires your credit card number in the name of 'charity'. Make your donations directly to the organization that you know is legitimate. For example, an email has been circulating that says it is collecting online donations for the Red Cross. The person answering this email is taken to a website that simply collects credit card information, not to the secured Red Cross donation website. Although this particular website has been shut down, this technique is not new. The phony emails you receive periodically seemingly from your internet service provider are examples. ISPs do not request passwords or credit card information through email. This technique will surely be used again.

Be cautious about investment opportunities. Use the services of a reputable broker. Do not rely on information you read in a newsgroup, message board, chatroom, or email. If you need help recovering monies from fraudulent investment brokers or dealers, contact the Investment Recovery Network.

Hoaxes are not immune from being circulated by unscrupulous individuals. There are already many variations circulating. Some distort the writings of Nostradamus and some are saying that the pictures of Palestinians celebrating the attack are Western propaganda. Information will be available as more hoaxes appear.

National security, no matter where you are in the world, ultimately lies with each individual. This applies to being a law abiding citizen of your town, village, city, state, and country. This is also true with cyberspace.

The 'Love Letter' or 'Code Red' infectors would not have had a considerable impact if each computer user protected their network or individual system. 'Love Letter' would not have had such a considerable effect if each individual computer user did not open the email attachment. Each internet user (personal computer users, employees, small businesses, network system administrators, internet service providers) must be aware of the existing infectors and be ready for the new ones that will circulate. Keep your anti-virus software updated and install the latest security patches and firewalls for your operating system and software programs.

Remember the basic rules of internet safety that considerably reduce your chances of an online problem. Refer to the Safety Guide for a quick review. Make this a family or office practice. Constant repetition will make this chore into an everyday practice. Print the list of infectious email attachments that is updated frequently and keep it by your computer as a handy reference.

The USA and free nations recognize that followers of Islam are law abiding individuals and are just as appalled and affected by recent happenings and the blaspheming of the name of Allah as is everyone. Internet users will see hate and hate crimes in their neighborhoods and on the internet. Teach your children well.

May GOD Bless America and All Her Friends