Beware of Email Scams

October 15, 2007
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 284-6142 Email: schaffer@co.dane.wi.us
Sheriff's Office

October 15, 2007. Madison, WI – The Dane County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizen’s to be extremely cautious of email scams. Numerous reports have recently come in to the Dane County tip line of individuals soliciting information via email that if obtained, would result in the responder being robbed of personal identification, financial information, and cash. The scams commonly referred to as “phishing”, come in several different forms. These emails can be made to look completely official, and at first glance may seem to require a response on the part of the recipient. Phishing is a form of identity theft, where fraudsters steal your identity and personal information to gain access to your accounts, or commit other crimes using your personal information. The Sheriff’s Office wants to make everyone aware that they should NEVER respond to these types of emails. One example of a recent phishing scam came to a person attempting to sell his car online. The responder tells the seller that he/she will send a check made out for an additional $10,000.00, and that the additional money should then be given to a third person to cover shipping cost. If the person were to follow through with this request, they would soon realize the check was no good, and they would be out $10,000.00. Other email scams may request you give personal information such as social security numbers, or bank account information. If you do receive a scam email, you should not click on any of the links it contains. Instead delete it immediately. If you have already responded to such an email, you should log into your relevant accounts and change your usernames and passwords. Contact your banks and financial institutions and make them aware of the situation in case of problems.