Online Banking Scam

    The latest type of scamming to get your card information has been a phishing attempt when trying to access online banking. Instead of directing your computer to the online banking webpage, a trojan hijacks the URL and automatically redirects the browser to the trojan webpage. The trojan webpage asks you to put in your card information to verify who you are. Desertview NEVER asks for your card validation online! Disregard this page and please have your computer checked.

Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert

             The FBI reminds people to be cautious about who we make donations to. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or good cause.

Before making a donation of any kind, people should use certain guidelines: 

• Do NOT respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including links contained within the e-mail.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
• Verify legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by using internet-based resources that assist in confirming the group's existence.
• Be cautious of e-mails that show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses.
• Make contributions DIRECTLY to known organizations rather than relying on other to make the donation for you.
• Do NOT give out personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.

Anyone who has received an e-mail referencing the above information or has been a victim of this should notify www.ic3.gov.

 TEXT MESSAGE SCAM 

     Text messages are being sent out to random people with the warning that their debit cards have been closed or somehow compromised. When the person calls the number they hear a recording that requests a 16-digit card number and PIN. THIS IS A SCAM--DO NOT RESPOND!

• Is it the result of communicating with someone by e-mail?
• Did it arrive via an overnight delivery service?   
• Is it from a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product? 
• Is the amount for more than the item's selling price?

Are you sending money overseas?

•  Did you win an international lottery you didn't enter?
•  Have you been asked to pay money to receive an inheritance from another country?   
•  Are you receiving a commission for accepting money transfers through your bank and/or PayPal account?

If you answered "Yes" to any of the following questions, you may be getting SCAMMED!

To report an online crime, go to www. ic3.gov