Update on the Nigerian Phishing Scam

To the HOT TOPICS ZONE Community,

 The Nigerian phishing scam continues to manifest itself here at Beliefnet.  The problem is not unique to Beliefnet.  In fact, networking sites are reporting increased activities by Nigerian scammers.  Please read the linked article here.

 While Beliefnet and other social networking websites are working to improve their security measures to protect their members and the integrity of their sites, Nigerian scammers are working to find ways to bypass those security measures, and continue to create poster profiles.

 These scammers will sometimes present themselves as young ladies, looking for companionship.  They prey on posters who are lonely and seeking a relationship.  Other scammers present themselves as Government officials or bankers, offering almost unbelievable opportunities to receive fantastic amounts of cash.  These prey on greed or those who are in dire financial straits and desperate for help.

 These scammers are ingenious - they have also found a way to access an existing poster's account, and to assume that poster's identity.  So if that poster you have known for YEARS suddenly asks for your personal information or for monetary help, be wary.  In fact, as the above linked articles notes, the FBI has announced over 3,200 cases of account hijacking have been reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center in the last three years.

 Your Beliefnet Staff is not ignoring the problem. -- they have dedicated resources whose sole responsibilities are to receive reports on illegal activities, investigate the allegations, and, if substantiated, remove any threat from the site. 

 You are encouraged to continue to look out for these scammers and to report any suspected incidents of scamming via e-mail to community@beliefnetsraff.com, as previously noted.  Protect your private information.  You are also encouraged to report to Beliefnet Staff if you have reason to believe your Beliefnet account has been unlawfully accessed.

Thanks,