Twitter fake page: http://ltwltter.com/timed_out/ Beware it will steal your password (phishing)

If you get a Direct message that looks like this:
”
ROFLMAO i can't stop laughing at this pic of you ppfr.it/434
Direct message sent by YourFriend (@yourFriend) to you (@YourName)
”

The first reaction is to click on the short link ppfr.it/434 which will take you to http://t.co/tIdsrtv which will resolve to http://ltwltter.com/timed_out/ (notice the ‘l’ before the ‘t’ of twitter) which will present a FAKE Twitter login page that looks exactly like the Twitter web site with username and password screen:




Please beware – since this is a FAKE login screen – So do NOT enter your login details!

If you do enter your username and password – then the fake page will steal your username and password and then redirect you to another fake page:
http://ltwltter.com/status/error/  (notice the ‘l’ before the ‘t’ of twitter)

Once the phishers have harvested your login details then they will send DMs to all of your followers and send them the same “ROFLMAO” message and hope that they fall into the same trap and log in to the fake Twitter page.

Be careful out there and remember to ALWAYS check the URL of the page that you are logging in to.

Is this a phishing scam?: a bogus KwikSpar online shopping site… or is it?

I was browsing the GetValue.co.za site for some great (South African) shopping tips, and read the comment from John K Weber here (johnkweber on August 20th, 2009 at 10:26 am):
“
Just a rather interesting fact about online shopping. There is an Spar online shopping site at http://www.computersource.co.za/Listing.php.

What’s weird is that when I contacted the owner of Spar he told me that it is not their online shop.  Rather weird that someone would go through all the trouble of impersonating a Spar online shop.  This is a bit scary though because it might just be a scam to get your credit card details and your money. mmm be very wary when shopping online.

One has to distinguish between being wary and paranoid.  Some trusted sites really do good and deliver good service but one has to beware that you are not being ripped off by some unknown entity.

Apparently the Spar head office has tried to get the online shop squashed but to no avail. They can’t seem to figure out who owns the site.
”

The http://www.computersource.co.za/Listing.php site has an “About us” page which lists telephone number and email addresses as:
“
Cell number: 083 290 7734
e-Mail:  kwiksparstrand@saonline.co.za
Contact: CONLYN
”

John K Weber called the manager of the KwikSpar (using the cell number above) who confirmed that it’s not his site.

John K Weber also said that the prices were extremely good – further enticing people to “shop” there and perhaps enter their details (credit card) on the site.

Looking at the source of the web site, I see: “Author content = SA Online: Ken Hubbard and Luke Borg”

I haven’t actually tried to purchase anything on the site… what do you think???

Or, maybe the site is real – but then why would they put incorrect contact details on the site – so, on second thoughts…. people, beware, be very aware, of this type of phishing scam.
What’s even more scary, is that Spar Head Office haven’t tracked down the owner and shut the site down.
So, maybe it’s legit – hell man, I’m going around in circles here – so, let leave it for now, until Spar, or the site owner or his/her customers come forward and defends the legitimacy of the site.

Then we can all shop there and save some money on groceries, and hopefully www.priceisright.co.za can include their prices in their groceries database for comparison!

Beware of scams that steal your money via your telephone bill

A colleague received an email from a recruitment agent (pasted below) that promises that she would "assist you with finding employment, or an income opportunity, that will suit you best." His initial thoughts were - "great" another person that could find him a good job. All he had to do was fax his updated CV etc. to the number and perhaps the right job will be just around the corner. Then he looked closer.... the email was very specific in the instructions on what to fax and emphasised that return email could not be used. Then, looking closer at the fax number, he realised that it was a premium call rate number: 0866 - which would attract a charge of R1.85 per minute!

{More details here: If you refer to the blog: "Don’t be fooled by this false advertising: "FREE fax to e-mail service"" you will see that these 0866 numbers are free to the person receiving the fax, but the sender pays R1.85 per page.}

That's the catch.... all the "recruitment agent" wanted was that you "forward your full detailed CV, together with all available supporting documents, such as reference letters and certificates, to our Fax no: 0866570156".

But where's the scam? How would they make money out of this?

Well, the instructions make sure that you fax all documents to this number - this ensures that the fax call is as long as possible. {I wouldn't be surprised if the fax fails a few times before finally accepting the fax! But, the scam is that the faxes are probably never looked at either!}

They make money (and you lose it) from the kick-back that they receive from Telkom for the premium rate call. So, for each call made a percentage is "earned" back from Telkom.

So, beware - don't react to this type of request where they try and entice you to dial premium numbers and so steal money via your (or your place of work's) telephone bill!

Here's the email:

From: Employment Specialists [mailto:@]
Sent: 22 July 2008 23:00
Subject: We want to assist you with finding employment, or an income opportunity, that will suit you best.

Hello Work hunter

We were recently informed that you are currectly job hunting.

I was appointed to assist you with finding employment, or an income opportunity, that will suit you best.

Please forward your full detailed CV, together with all available supporting documents, such as reference letters and certificates, to our Fax no: 0866570156

(Please do not email your CV & supporting documents, because most of the employers still prefer and insist on fax copies.)

On receipt of your CV and supporting documents we will evaluate your application, and pass your info on to employers that are currently in need of someone with your specific skills and expertise.

If you are chosen as one of the shortlist candidates, you will be contacted, in order to set-up an interview.

We now await your urgent response.

Yours faithfully,

Melani Lewis

The Employment Specialists

"Your career is our speciality"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Employment Specialists Disclaimer & Confidentiality Note

This e-mail, its attachments and any rights attaching hereto are, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the property of The Employment Specialists. It is confidential, private and intended for the addressee only.

Should you not be the addressee and receive this e-mail by mistake, kindly notify the sender, and delete this e-mail, immediately and do not disclose or use same in any manner whatsoever.

Views and opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the sender unless clearly stated as those of the company.

The Employment Specialists accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages whatsoever and howsoever incurred, or suffered, resulting, or arising, from the use of this email or its attachments.

The Employment Specialists do not warrant the integrity of this e-mail nor that it is free of errors, viruses, interception or interference.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________