Flower And Wine Delivery Credit Card Scam Warning

Summary:
Email warning describes an incident in which a scammer, posing as a courier delivering an unexpected gift of wine and roses, stole the gift recipient's credit card details with the use of a portable card scanning device (Full commentary below).

Status:
True - A scammer used this scheme in Sydney, Australia during November 2008

Example:(Submitted, November 2008) Subject: Credit card fraud wine and flowers delivery

Hi everyone,

I want to let you all know that Frank and I have been the victims of credit card fraud this week and felt I should warn you all about the clever scam. It works like this:

Last Wednesday I had a phone call late morning from Express Couriers to ask if I was going to be home as he had a delivery for me. He said he would there in roughly an hour. He turned up with a beautiful basket of flowers and wine. I expressed my surprise as I wasn't expecting anything like this and said I was intrigued to know who was sending me such a lovely gift. He said he was only delivering the gift and the card was being sent separately (the card has never arrived). There was a consignment note with the gift.

He went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol he has to charge the recipient $3.50 as proof that he has actually delivered to an adult, and not left it on a door step if the recipient is out, to be stolen or taken by children. This seemed logical and I offered to get the cash. He then said that the company required the payment to be by Eftpos so he's not handling cash and everything is properly accounted for. Frank was there and got his credit card and "John" swiped the card on this small mobile machine that also had a small screen upon which Frank entered in his pin number. A receipt was printed out and given to us.

Between last Thursday and Monday $4,000 was withdrawn from our credit account at ATM machines in the north shore area. It appears a dummy credit card was made using the details in the machine and of course, they had Frank's pin number.

The Bank has stopped our cards and I've been to the Police this morning, where they confirmed that it is a definite scam and many households were hit during the first 3 days of October.

So PLEASE be wary of accepting a gift you're not expecting especially if the card is not with it. We've all received gifts like this and would never dream that it could be such a despicable act. Please also let other female friends and relatives know. Hopefully, these fraudsters have ceased this activity by now but you never know. I wanted to warn all my friends.

P.S. I don't think I'll ever drink the wine - I'd probably choke on it!

Commentary:

©iStockphoto.com/Izabela Habur A Sydney based fraudster posing as a courier delivering a gift of wine and flowers has stolen credit card details via a portable card skimming device

This email relates an incident in which a couple had $4000 stolen from their credit card account after a fraudster posing as a delivery driver tricked them into swiping their credit card on a portable card skimming device. According to the message, the scammer pretended to be a courier delivering an unexpected gift of wine and flowers. The scammer claimed that, because the gift included alcohol, the company required a small fee to be paid to prove that the gift had been delivered to an adult. He insisted that the fee be paid via card rather than cash and presented what seemed to be a legitimate mobile EFTPOS machine. However, the machine was in fact a skimming device that recorded the victim's credit card details.

The information in the warning message is true. A spate of such crimes occurred in several suburbs in Sydney's north-west in late 2008. A November 7 New South Wales Police Media Release notes:

Police in Sydney’s north-west have released an image of a man they believe can assist with inquiries into a fraudulent delivery scam which leaves people robbed of their savings.

A number of people across the Eastwood, Gladesville and Kuring-gai Local Area Commands have told police they believe they are the victim of a manipulative scam which has left their bank accounts wiped clean.

In all instances, police have been told a man has knocked at the door of residential homes dressed as a courier with a bunch of flowers and bottles of wine. The man has then delivered a parcel requiring a signature to confirm the goods have been received.

The man is alleged to have told recipients of the parcel that a delivery fee of $3.50 is required and must be done via EFTPOS. In all instances, those involved have swiped their credit card into a hand-held machine and been given a receipt for their payment.

Since the media release was published, a man has been apprehended and charged in relation to the incidents. A November 23 article in the Sydney Morning Herald notes:

A MAN charged with stealing more than $30,000 by posing as a delivery man bearing wine and flowers was refused bail in court yesterday.

David John Hennessey, 50, was stopped by police on the F3 freeway at Wahroonga, in northern Sydney, on Friday. He was arrested after a police search of his car allegedly found a number of card skimming devices.

Police allege that Hennessey had defrauded 10 residents of the Eastwood-Gladesville and Ku-ring-gai areas of $32,000 by posing as a delivery man bearing wine and flowers.

Residents should certainly remain vigilant with regard to such scams. Similar schemes have been used by criminals in the past. Portable card reader equipment is now regularly used by many businesses and is becoming commonplace. Criminals are likely to continue to exploit the popularity of such machines by using card skimming devices that look the same as genuine card readers.

It should be noted however, that the particular incident described in this email occurred in Sydney, Australia and the culprit has now been apprehended. Some versions of the warning message that are circulating falsely claim that the incident took place in other locations, including the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, North Vancouver, Canada and at least one Asian city.

While they may be perfectly valid when first launched, a problem with such warning emails is that they may continue to circulate for years and eventually become outdated and redundant. And, as noted, false or misleading information may be added to the messages as they circulate and such additions can significantly erode their use as warnings. Before forwarding such warning messages, it is always wise to check that the information they contain is accurate and up-to-date.
from:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/flowers-wine-credit-card-scam.shtml

Christmas Cards for Recovering American Soldiers

Summary:
Message claims that people can send Christmas greetings to wounded soldiers by addressing cards to "A Recovering American soldier" care of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Full commentary below).

Status:
Addressing information is incorrect - See commentary below for valid instructions for sending Holiday Mail for Heroes

Example:(Submitted, November 2008)

Subject: FW: Christmas Cards

GREAT IDEA!! When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

If you approve, please pass it on.

Commentary:
This message advises recipients that they can send Christmas cards addressed to "A Recovering American soldier" care of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While this might seem like a good way to show support for wounded soldiers, the information in the message is incorrect. Cards sent to "A Recovering American soldier" or similar will not be accepted by Walter Reed Army Medical Center. However, cards can be sent to servicemembers via the "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign operated by the American Red Cross. An announcement on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center explains:

The American Red Cross is sponsoring a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to servicemembers and veterans both in the United States and abroad.

Holiday Mail for Heroes, which began Tuesday, Veterans Day, is a follow-up to the 2007 effort that resulted in the collection and distribution of more than 600,000 cards to hospitalized servicemembers. This year's program will expand its reach to not only wounded servicemembers but also veterans and their families. The goal is to collect and distribute 1 million pieces of holiday mail.

"As we enter this holiday season-a time to celebrate with family and friends-it's important to remember the thousands of men and women who serve our nation in harm's way and those who are recovering in military and veterans hospitals," said Army Col. Norvell V. Coots, commander, Walter Reed Health Care System. "The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a wonderful outreach effort and a great way to acknowledge the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform."

Holiday cards should be mailed to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Further details about the campaign are available on the American Red Cross website. The article notes:

The Red Cross is partnering with Pitney Bowes this holiday season for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. For the second year in a row, we're collecting holiday cards to distribute to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Pitney Bowes is generously donating technology, resources and postage to make this holiday card program possible.

Our goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families.

For full guidelines for sending cards, please refer to the Red Cross website.
from:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/soldier-christmas-card.shtml

Brown Recluse Spider Bite Warning

Summary:
Email forward warns about the danger of Brown Recluse spiders and includes graphic pictures of a wound supposedly caused by a recluse bite (Full commentary below.)
Status:
Unsubstantiated

Update:
A new version of the warning message claims that the spider shown in the photograph is a "new known" spider that is spreading throughout eastern Australia and heading for Western Australia. This information is untrue. See commentary for details.

Example:(Submitted, May 2006)

I thought that you would all benefit from these pictures, now the last couple pictures are nasty and the very last picture is the spider itself, but basically these pictures are showing the effects of a brown recluse spider bite.

The following illustrates the progression of a brown recluse spider bite. The affected skin actually dies on his body. Some of the pictures towards the end are pretty nasty, but take a look at the last one -- it is a picture of the spider itself.

The Brown Recluse Spider is the most dangerous spider that we have here in the USA.

A person can die from it's bite. We all should know what the spider looks like. Send this around to people you love, because it is almost summertime. People will be digging around, doing yard work, spring cleaning, and sometimes in their attics. Please be careful.

Spider bites are dangerous and can have permanent and highly negative consequences. They like the darkness and tend to live in storage sheds or attics or other areas that might not be frequented by people or light. If you have a need to be in your attic, go up there and turn on a light and leave it on for about 30 minutes before you go in to do your work.

This man was bitten by a Brown Recluse spider:


Day 3
The following illustrates the progression of a brown recluse spider bite. The affected skin actually dies on his body.


Day 5
Some of the pictures towards the end are pretty nasty, but take a look at the last one -- it is a picture of the spider itself.


Day 6


Day 9
A person can die from it's bite. We all should know what the spider looks like


The Dangerous Brown Recluse Spider

Commentary:
This email forward warns of the dangers of the Brown Recluse spider and includes several photographs depicting the progression of a wound supposedly caused by a bite from one of these spiders. Versions of the warning have been circulating since at least 2002.

Although there is no reason to doubt that the wound depicted in the photographs is real, there is also no way of determining if it was actually caused by a Brown Recluse spider bite. This message does not identify the victim shown in the pictures nor does it provide any way of confirming that the wound was a result of a Brown Recluse. Different versions have claimed that the bite occurred in several different areas of the United States and Canada.

Brown Recluse venom can cause necrosis (tissue death) in the area of the bite and can result in a deep and painful wound that takes a long time to heal. However, a number of other causes can result in similar wounds. An Ohio State University Fact Sheet about Brown Recluse Spiders notes that:

Necrotic wounds can result from a variety of agents such as bacteria (Staphylococcus, "flesh-eating" Streptococcus, etc.), viruses, fungi, and arthropods (non-recluse spiders, centipedes, mites, ticks, wasps, bedbugs, kissing bugs, biting flies, etc.). Necrotic conditions also can be caused by vascular and lymphatic disorders, drug reactions, underlying diseases states, and a variety of other agents.

That said, it is possible that the wound is indeed the result of a Brown Recluse spider bite. However, true or not, the message that accompanies the photograph tends to exaggerate risks associated with the bite of the Brown Recluse. Many Brown Recluse bites only cause a small red mark and heal without long-term effects. Also, deaths from Brown Recluse bites are extremely rare. In an article discussing this email warning, entomologist Rick Vetter from the University of California, notes that:

Despite the fact that lots of people believe that brown recluses are deadly, there are only about 8 reported deaths from possible brown recluse bites in the medical literature, Philip Anderson states that there is still not one VERIFIED death from a brown recluse bite and none of the alleged fatal cases are convincing.

Vetter also explains that, if the images do really depict a Brown recluse bite, the case would be "truly one of the rare, horrific ones" and certainly not the normal outcome of such a bite.

Also, Brown Recluse bites are very commonly misdiagnosed and this adds to the myths and hysteria surrounding the creatures. According to a University of California article,

One reason for the great "awareness" of the recluse spiders throughout the United States is that necrotic wounds are misdiagnosed as "brown recluse bites." Although recluses can cause these wounds, the biological data involving the distribution of the spider indicate that most of these diagnoses are incorrect.

Furthermore, the Ohio State University Fact Sheet notes that the "brown recluse spider is not aggressive, and it normally bites only when crushed, handled or disturbed."

Thus, think twice before forwarding this message. The wound depicted may not even be from a Brown Recluse and, in any case, the message overstates the risk of these spiders. Certainly, Brown Recluse spiders can be dangerous and people should be aware of what they look like and where they live. However, I would suggest reviewing Rick Vetter's in-depth analysis of this message and other information about recluse spiders before you hit the forward button.

Update: November 2008
During 2008, a new version of the warning message began circulating in Australia. The new variant includes the same photographs as the earlier version, but substitutes the following information in place of the original text:

This is a new known spider, so please take note. Has been found all over Eastern Aust and heading to WA. Looks similar to a huntsman.

This spider is in all states so watchout in fact it looks a bit like a huntsman

Not a good look!!

Please take note of this spider - it is very dangerous. Please warn kids and send to every one you know to alert them as well! This spider is breeding at a rate of speed and is found in more and more houses!!!!

While the veracity of the original version is questionable, this version of the warning is totally untrue and should be considered as an outright hoax. The spider shown in both versions of the warning message is indeed a Brown Recluse. Although the spider is known to inhabit a restricted area of a southern Australian state, there are no credible reports that suggest that the Brown Recluse or any similar spider is now spreading in Australia. Nor have there been any recorded bites from the spider in Australia. The message uses the same set of images that were included in the original US version. Thus, it seems clear that some prankster has simply modified the original version to suit Australian conditions and sent it on its way.

Furthermore, the Queensland Museum has also dismissed the warning message as a hoax. After many enquirers from concerned members of the public, Queensland Museum has now published an article debunking the hoax on its website:
Spider hoax clogs inboxes Australia-wide

Some commentators have suggested that the Australian version of the warning may refer to Australia's White-tailed Spider. The White-tailed Spider is a creature that, like the Brown Recluse in the US, has been the subject of many reports regarding the severity of necrotic wounds caused by its bite. However, these reports are largely unsubstantiated. A fact sheet on the Australian Museum website notes:

White-tailed Spider bites can cause initial burning pain followed by swelling and itchiness at the bitten area. Occasionally, weals, blistering or local ulceration have been reported - conditions known medically as necrotising arachnidism. As well as the spider's venom, minor bacterial infection of the wound may be a contributory factor in such cases.

A debate continues about the involvement of White-tailed Spider bite in cases of severe ulcerative skin lesions seen in patients diagnosed as probable spider bite victims. Typically, in such cases no direct evidence of spider bite is available. Sensational media reporting of supposed cases of severe "necrotising arachnidism" has given the White-tailed Spider a bad reputation. However, a recent study has monitored the medical outcomes of over 100 verified White-tailed Spider bites and found not a single case of ulceration (confirming the results of an earlier study). The available evidence suggests that skin ulceration is not a common outcome of White-tailed Spider bite.

And, in any case, the photograph in the warning message certainly does not show a White-tailed Spider.

Sending on this bogus warning message, will serve only to spread misinformation and cause unnecessary fear and alarm.

from:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/brown-recluse.html

Product Barcode Country Identification

Summary:
Email claims that consumers can identify what country a product was manufactured in by analyzing the first 3 digits of the product's barcode (Full commentary below).
Status:
Misleading

Example:(Submitted, November 2008) Subject: Product Bar Coding

Product Bar Coding

The whole world is scared of China made 'black hearted goods'. Can you differentiate which one is made in the USA , Philippines , Taiwan or China ? For your Information ... the first 3 digits of the barcode is the country code wherein the product was made.

Sample: all barcodes that start with 690.691.692 until 695 are all MADE IN CHINA.
471 is Made in Taiwan

This bar code is 471 – Made in Taiwan

This is our human right to know, but the government and related department never educate the public, therefore we have to RESCUE ourselves.

Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products 'made in china', so they don't show from which country it is made.

However, you may now refer to the barcode, remember if the first 3 digits is 690-695 then it is Made in China .

00 ~ 13 USA & CANADA
30 ~ 37 FRANCE
40 ~ 44 GERMANY
49 ~ JAPAN
50 ~ UK
57 ~ Denmark
64 ~ Finland
76 ~ Switzerland and Lienchtenstein
471 ~ Taiwan
628 ~ Saudi-Arabien
629 ~ United Arab Emirates
690-695 ~ China
740 ~ 745 - Central America
All 480 Codes are Made in the Philippines.

Commentary:
This email claims that consumers can find out which country a product was manufactured in by examining the product's barcode. According to the message, the first three digits of the product barcode identify where the product was made. It suggests that concerned consumers could thus easily identify products made in countries with a dubious reputation for contaminated or dangerous products such as China by matching the first three barcode digits to a country list included in the message.

©iStockphoto.com/imagestock The first three digits of a product barcode do not always identify where the product was made

However, the information in the message is quite misleading.

The first three digits of European Article Number (EAN) barcodes are known as the manufacturing code and they do indicate which EAN numbering authority allocated a particular set of numbers. Every country that uses the EAN system has its own numbering authority which is responsible for assigning manufacturer codes for companies within its jurisdiction. These codes are sometimes referred to as "country codes". Thus, at first take, the information in the message may seem valid.

However, in reality, this is not the case. An FAQ published on bar code information website Bar Code 1 explains:

Does the barcode number indicate the country of origin of a product?

No it doesn't. The 3-digit prefix code indicates which numbering organization has allocated the bank of numbers to the company. For example, a company may have it's headquarters in South Africa. The EAN organization in South Africa has the code "600", but all the products of the company may be manufactured in England. The English-made products would still have the "600" prefix code. The prefix code is a way to have 70-plus EAN member organizations issuing numbers without having to worry about duplicate numbers.

This information is confirmed on a barcode prefix list published on global standards organisation, GS1's website:

GS1 Prefixes do not provide identification of country of origin for a given product. They simply provide number capacity to different countries for assignment from that location to companies who apply. Those companies in turn may manufacture products anywhere in the world.

Thus, while the first three digits of the product barcode may sometimes indicate where the product was manufactured, it will not always do so. For example, a barcode that has 690 as the first three digits indicates that the barcode was assigned by the Chinese EAN numbering authority. However, it does not necessarily mean that the product was actually manufactured in China.

Therefore, the advice given in this email is actually rather pointless. The information in the email would only be useful to consumers if the prefix invariably indicated where a product was manufactured. The fact that the barcode prefix is not a reliable and constant method of determining a product's country of manufacture means that, while the information in the email may be interesting, it is actually of little practical value.

from:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/product-bar-codes.shtml

SMS Advance Fee Prize Scam

Summary:
Mobile phone SMS claims that the recipient has won a major prize in a rewards promotion and should call a specified number to find out further details (Full commentary below).
Status:
False

Example:(Submitted, November 2008) JAPAN INTENATIONAL MOTORS: you have WON toyota prado VX 4WD worth 110000US$ dollars,in GLOBAL internate rewards promotion,call Mr.Nick on [number removed] now!

Commentary:

©iStockphoto.com/DSGpro Beware of SMS messages that claim that you have won a prize or cash in a promotion that you have never entered

Scammers are quick to use any means at their disposal in order to steal money from their victims. Long before the arrival of the Internet, advance fee scammers operated via surface mail and telephone. Email and the World Wide Web have made their tasks much easier. And fraudsters also use other modern technologies, including the Short Message Service (SMS) communication protocol on mobile phones.

Except for the means of distribution, the above scam attempt is basically the same as thousands of other prize advance fee scams that are sent via email. The scam SMS claims that the recipient has won an expensive 4DW vehicle in a global "rewards promotion" and instructs him or her to call a specified number to claim the prize.

However, neither the prize nor the supposed promotion actually exists. The SMS is simply the bait used to fool potential victims into contacting the fraudsters responsible. If a recipient does take the bait and reply, he or she will be asked to pay an upfront fee, supposedly to procure the release of the prize. The scammers may claim that the payment is to cover, insurance, delivery costs, legal fees or any one of a plethora of other bogus excuses. If the victim pays the first of the requested fees, other payment requests may follow. Of course, all of the money sent by the victim will be kept by the scammers. The victim will never receive the "prize" nor is he or she likely to get his or her money back even if the police are eventually notified.

The scammers may also trick their victim into supplying a large amount of personal information that could be subsequently use to steal his or her identity. People should be very cautious of any SMS, email, fax, or surface mail message that claims that they have won money or a prize in a lottery that they have never entered.

Note:
Some unscrupulous companies have also use "prize winner" SMS messages or phone calls to trick users into making expensive premium rate calls, supposedly to claim their prize. Although these premium rate schemes are not related to the advance fee scams described above, and may not even be illegal, mobile phone users should certainly be aware that responding to some prize calls or SMS's could very rapidly rack up sizable phone bills.