Warning over Harvey phishing scam: Cyber criminals target kind-hearted with bogus fundraising links then steal credit card details and personal information
US officials warned on Monday that scammers are taking advantage of people wanting to donate to Harvey disaster relief through email and social media
Scammers are sending out fake links promising to help victims with donations
Instead, the links send viewers to phony websites that steal personal information
Other scammers set up fake charities claiming to raise funds for Harvey victims
By KELLY MCLAUGHLIN
DAILYMAIL.COM
31 August 2017
Scammers are posing as fundraisers looking for kindhearted donations in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, officials have warned.
The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) issued a warning on Monday that scammers are taking advantage of the disaster by using social media and email to send out fake links promising to help victims.
Instead, the links send viewers to phony websites where thieves steal credit card and personal information from visitors.
Others have been setting up fake charities claiming to raise funds for Harvey victims but pocket the money instead.
US-CERT said in a statement: ‘Users are advised to exercise caution in handling any email with subject line, attachments, or hyperlinks related to Hurricane Harvey, even if it appears to originate from a trusted source.
‘Fraudulent emails will often contain links or attachments that direct users to phishing or malware-infected websites.
‘Emails requesting donations from duplicitous charitable organizations commonly appear after major natural disasters.’
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