19 January 2007
British internet users are being warned not to fall for an email scam which encourages consumers to call a 070 telephone number to win an email lottery.
The fraudsters who run this scam typically claim that recipients of the emails have been selected to receive a large cash prize and that the fortune can be collected once the victim has revealed confidential information, including their bank details.
To convince the reader of the credibility of the lottery, a telephone number which looks like a UK mobile, starting with 070, is supplied, but net security firm Sophos has issued a warning saying that these numbers can be acquired free of charge, as higher charges are paid by the caller to use them and can be easily redirected to any number anywhere in the world.
Sophos' senior technology consultant, Graham Cluley, said: "Internet scammers are scooping up these free 070 personal phone numbers, redirecting them overseas and posing as British lottery officials.
"They can easily cycle through a bunch of these 'throw-away' numbers, using them to con innocent victims into revealing confidential information that can then be used to empty bank accounts and commit identity theft."
Sophos is advising all broadband users to exercise common sense and to be wary of any email telling them that they have won a prize. In addition, consumers should never reveal their bank details over an email as this can lead to identity theft and their money being stolen.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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