Phishers cash in on financial crisis
Friday, September 19, 2008
While businesses throughout the US have been holding their breath as stocks tumbled, fraudsters have been working on phishing scams attempting to capitalize on the pervading uncertainty.
According to GoodMail Systems, a number of phishing scams have been circulating recently which attempt to lure people in with sensational headlines relating to the stock market tumble arising in the wake of the collapse of Lehman Brothers earlier this week.
The email security firm advised that fraudsters often use high profile events to further their efforts to commit identity theft and fraud, with large-scale campaigns launched in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and more recently the earthquakes in China.
"Phishers know how to make use of people's vulnerabilities during times of stress," warned Peter Horan, chief executive officer of the firm.
Other recent high profile phishing scams have included one claiming to divulge details of a sex scandal involving Barack Obama, in addition to one reporting details of supposed military action in Iran.
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