PR releases

iPhone and other hot gadgets make great Internet scams

It is exciting when a hot gadget like the IPhone hits the market. Unfortunately, they are also exciting for the Internet scammers. They use high-profile products to tempt men wanting those must-have gadgets by offering a low price or a chance to buy a hard-to-get item.

The first website dedicated to helping victims of online crime was announced today www.e-victims.org. The E-Victims Organisation, CIC has launched a special shopping service. Shopping was chosen as the first topic for the new service because shoppers are a key target for Internet fraud. The website offers free advice for those who have had problems when buying online.

"Scammers target more expensive items, the hotter the better because people are more likely to take risks to get the latest thing – especially if it is a "great price" explains Jennifer Perry, Communications Director for The E-Victims Organisation.

The IPhone is a great example of criminals cashing in on this year's hottest gadget. When the IPhone was launched the scams started immediately - from viruses that loaded a pop up advert for a spoof online store, to spam emails used to load malware. And there were listings on an auction site offering IPhones in different colours (the IPhone only comes in black).

"The Internet is now a multi-billion pound industry with almost 38 million UK Internet users. That amount of money attracts both petty and organised criminals. The professionals plan, employ experts, and invest in their scams. They use some of the most innovative direct-mail techniques. They probably get a better response rate than a top London ad agency. Their websites look as convincing as your favourite online shop, or worse - it looks identical" explains Perry.

Lord Erroll, who sat on the recent House of Lords enquiry into Personal Internet Security agrees, "Online scams today are getting more sophisticated and they are catching more people out. We need the www.e-victims.org service because it specifically supports Internet users".

The E-Victims Organisation is not a reporting site, but an independent service offering people specialist advice on what to do when something has gone wrong with online shopping; and when appropriate, which agency they should contact. New advice covering a wide range of topics including fraud, malware, scams, bullying, sexual harassment, data theft and much more will steadily be added throughout 2008.

"Anyone can use the service for free and anonymously, we don't ask for any personal details. However, we do gather statistics and analyse the sources of complaints because it gives us insight into the volume, trends and threats facing consumers" explains Perry.

Notes:
1. The E-Victims Organisation encourages everyone to be safe online by visiting www.getsafeonline.org and www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

2. The www.e-victims.org service will add new topics throughout 2008. It will also be launching a service for businesses affected by e-crime.

3. The E-Victims Organisation, CIC is a social enterprise company set up to provide a central overarching support service for victims of e-incidents. The diversity of e-incidents on the Internet requires an independent non-partisan, non political organisation that can work with industry, consumers, charities, policing, and government agencies.

Case study:

Bob is a 43 year old graphic designer who loves everything Apple. He went on the Internet to read up about the new IPhone. He came across an ad offering to send an "unlocked" US phone to the UK. The ad talked about it being successfully tested with different UK phone operators.

"They warned that the voice mail option wouldn't work and that I couldn't use the Apple software updates. But these warnings just made it sound more plausible.

"I was tempted because I wanted to be one of the first to get an IPhone but I also thought with the exchange rate it would be cheaper than buying one in the UK. So, I bought one but it never showed up.

"Then I realised that I had handed over my credit card details to scammers. I had to cancel the credit card but not before there were already debts on the account.

"I just felt stupid because I knew that people weren't supposed to sell 'unlocked' IPhones. So I should have realised the people selling them were not legitimate. I can't believe I gave them my credit card. Next time I'll pay more to make sure I get my product and that I can trust the company with my financial details," says Bob.