Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Scammers Riding the Gustav Wave

Posted by kdawson on from the check-your-charity dept.

ruphus13 sends in a sad tale of online scammers hoping to reap rewards from the misery in Gustav's wake. They have been busy registering likely-sounding domains and setting up phishing attacks and other ruses. While not all the domains were malicious in intent, several of them were listed on eBay for sale. Donors beware. From the article: "Nearly 100 domains related to Hurricane Gustav have been registered in the past 48 hours, security experts said Sunday, some of which may be used by bogus charity and relief scams after the storm strikes the US Gulf Coast. According to television station KTAL in Shreveport, LA, the office of Louisiana's Attorney General Buddy Caldwell has warned residents of Gustav phishing attacks already in progress ... numerous domains containing the word 'gustav,' 'charity,' 'hurricane,' and 'relief' had been recently registered."

2 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. No thanks, I gave for the last hurricane. by FatSean · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    With all the Federal money they'll get to help recover I think those folks will be just fine if I keep my money. I mean, they had a warning.

    --
    Blar.
  2. Re:New domains should be much more expensive by Lumpy · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    new domains used to cost that much. and it hurt the small guys. Scammers typically have way more money than the typical rich suburbanite so even a $1000 domain registration would not be a deterrent to a scammer if they can see making easily the costs to set it up.

    I prefer, to set up a domain you must have verifiable and then completely VERIFIED personal information on it.

    Stan Wang, 1234 Main street, 333-444-5555 and then before the domain activates you must receive fill out and return the paper forms mailed to you, as well as get a random phone call from someone that will verify the info.

    Wah your domain takes 1-2 weeks to activate instead of 24 hours..... wah! Those of you trying to make a overnight startup can suck eggs, NOTHING needs to be online that fast.

    That single step by requiring a 14 day (or more! I say 31 days) dead period with full verification will stop more than higher fees ever could.

    Registering an american charity but your name is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from east Iran? we keep your money and DENY the domain. Simple.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.