Over the past few years social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter have given unprecedented access to people’s private lives. More and more personal information is revealed through photos, status updates and conversations that are all being documented online. Last week, the Serious Fraud Office of London (SFO) warned that Facebook and Twitter are being used to harvest users’ personal financial details,
“The public should be aware of the predatory nature of fraudsters and be careful about revealing personal information on social-networking sites, as this has become a primary method of harvesting information and targeting victims,” SFO said.
In a joint venture between London police and Financial Services Authority, over 10,000 people were notified that their names were on a “master list” that contained a range of personal information, that might include: names, address, phone number, place of business, income and relationship status. While this is the only reported list, it’s quite possible thousands more were already victims of this latest cash scam.
Facebook users may not mention all that personal information on their Facebook page, however, they may have it listed on a combination of networking sites. For example, a Facebook user will list their name and location along with photos on Facebook. The scammer can take that information and then look you up on LinkedIn and Twitter to find out your personal website, job, position, average income, number of years employed, education level and parlay all that information into a “cash scam.”
Fraudsters are using this information to set up “boiler rooms” and contact people on this master list. Boilers rooms look to employ high pressure sales tactics to push unwanted, over priced, or sometimes non-existent stock to unsuspecting buyers. Boiler rooms are nothing new, but using Facebook to gather leads and target people is becoming a serious problem.
The FSA is clearly trying to stay ahead of the scam, “By writing to people now, we can raise awareness of this type of fraud and help protect people from losing money to these criminals,” FSA said. While multiple efforts are being taken to stop these criminals, these cash scam continue to grow and more boiler rooms continue to operate off shore. It’s up to the individual to be aware of such fraud and report any phone calls that you suspect could be criminal.
In the mean time, keep your friends close, your Facebook account closed to outsiders, and don’t allow just anyone to view your personal details on your Facebook page.
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people have nothing better to do than scam others…
People also want to have big money with the least perspiration required.
lol FU as long as we are a capitalistic society and the most wretched are rewarded YES these people have nothing better to do that sit around and scam people. . . its called a job. This is the money that would go towards iPhones or other bullshit that is marked up 50-100% instead its given to someone who wont back down and is going to spend it on strippers and drugz
@funiggaz
Scamming is for the low life scum and the uneducated. Once you are out of prison, remember no pickles on my big mac.
quote:
“@funiggaz
Scamming is for the low life scum and the uneducated. Once you are out of prison, remember no pickles on my big mac.”
LOLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
hey funggaz, if you STOPPED taking drugs for a while you would realize how stupid your post was.
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Good sharing. I never know that there is a people who want to do that “jobs”. Btw what does “boiler rooms” exactly mean?
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The business brokerages network will give you access to a big pool of people who’ve the information about businesses for sale and buyers or investors looking for a organization venture. By producing great use from the info you have, you might be cutting a provide and make a handsome profit out from the transactions.
I am learned english and I donnot understand many complesx words. Thanks to you post that someone as dumb as me could understand!!
Phishing websites and scamsters are prevalent online. These sneaky people and companies really make the internet a dangerous place.