There’s a new lottery scam making the rounds, and it works like this: you get a formal-looking email from some important sounding person from overseas who claims that you’ve won millions of dollars.
It can start like this:
TO THE MANAGER
FROM: THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
REF: OYL /25410460082/03
BATCH: 25/01319/IPE
The email goes on to tell you how you entered (even though you didn’t), and how names were drawn — again making it sound very official.
You are next assured that your money is waiting for you, but you are asked to keep it a secret “until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to your account.”
There’s a deadline to act, and of course you need to contact the contest manager with a bank account number so they can deposit your winnings.
What should you do if you get an email like this?
Nothing. Delete the email! It’s a scam. You did not really win anything.
Legitimate organizations do NOT ask for your personal or banking information via email. And never click on any links in the email.
Action: Never, ever, ever respond to emails that ask for personal info.
Always use common sense.
For more information on viruses, hoaxes, and scams online, visit www.scambusters.com.