To: Michael Taylor
Subject: Clicknotes message; Scam Scum

February 18, 2002

Clicknotes message for  Michael Taylor 

Help put Scam Scum out of business.

We've spoken before about Internet Fraud and Scams. But excuse me if I rant a little more on the subject. It seems to be getting worse. I'm getting more spam in my mailbox everyday and worse, more scam messages.  The spam is bad enough, but the scam artists really irritate me.  I mean they really irritate me!

Somewhere I know there are poor ignorant people who will truly believe that giving out their bank account number to someone who claims to be the finance minister of Nigeria will result in millions of dollars in tax free income. That pisses me off.  I'd really like to meet that scam scum from "Nigeria" and physically explain how irritated I am to him.

We can't stop it until consumers everywhere stop believing.  Only when everyone stops taking the bait will it become unprofitable for him or her and maybe they'll stop. This message and links are my attempt to help everyone be better prepared and take a bite out to the scammers.  Share it with your friends, family, and any other potential victims. NOTE: be particularly careful to discuss scams with your kids and grandparents; don't let them become innocent victims.

Here are some ideas and reminders to help put scam scum out of business.

1- Yahoo Internet Life magazine has a great article about 20 biggest Net Scams in their March 2002 issue.  You can probably buy the magazine off the rack or wait a few weeks and they may post the article on their web site.  www.yil.com

2.  Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/

I forward the blatantly fraudulent messages directly to the FTC. They have a mailbox just made for it, where the FTC collects thousands of scam messages.  I hope they can use it to put every one of those nuts out of business.  

If you would like to forward unsolicited commercial e-mail (spam) to the Commission, please send it directly to UCE@FTC.GOV 

3.  I have links to many fraud web sites and articles posted on line at http://www.mltweb.com/ec/fraud.htm 

4. Also, just a reminder. Don't bother responding to most of these people asking to be removed from their mailing list. They are illegitimate anyhow, why do you think they would honor your request?  Once you respond, they know your email address is good and make a profit by selling it to other scammers.

Thanks for listening.  I feel a little better now.
Mike.  mlt@mltweb.com

This message is being sent to everyone on my Buytrain and Clicknotes mailing list. If you get two copies, it's because you are on both lists.