Beware of bogus bridge-tragedy appeals, FBI warns

[babylonsister]

http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1342467.html

Beware of bogus bridge-tragedy appeals, FBI warns

Tragedies such as Wednesday's Interstate Hwy. 35W bridge collapse can bring out the best in people as witnessed by scores of volunteers who sacrificed personal safety to rescue others. It can also bring out the worst.

By Tim Harlow, Star Tribune


Tragedies such as Wednesday's Interstate Hwy. 35W bridge collapse can bring out the best in people as witnessed by scores of volunteers who sacrificed personal safety to rescue others. It can also bring out the worst.

The FBI is cautioning people about responding to appeals for monetary contributions for a charitable organizations that come via e-mail.

After large scale events such as Sept. 11, hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the shootings at Virginia Tech University, several individuals with a criminal intent have used e-mails to ostensively collect money for charitable organizations, the FBI said.

To that end, the agency advises people to:

Not respond to unsolicited e-mail.

Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as officials of organizations soliciting donations via e-mail.

Not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.

Beware of e-mails claiming to contain pictures in attached files as the files may contain viruses. Open attachments only from known senders.

Make contributions directly to recognized organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the organization's or charity's web site rather than relying on a link provided.

Not to provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contribution; providing that information may increase the risk for identity theft.

Tim Harlow • [e-mail]

[Ezlivin]

1. And don't make unauthorized copies of movies or music

I don't see the FBI in my life at all. Well, until I play a DVD. Then I see how serious the FBI is about the crime of copying a damned movie.