Google: Online Scammers Using Our Name

(CBS)  Internet giant Google is targeting online scammers it says are fraudulently using the widely-known Google name and logo to steal money from unsuspecting consumers.

Google says it has seen a definite increase in the problem since the recession began, with hundreds of complaints every month, CBS News correspondent Kelly Wallace reports.

If you factor in the number of incidents that haven't been reported, Wallace says, there could be thousands of victims out there and millions of dollars lost.

Google sued Monday to take the fight directly to the alleged scammers -- and educate consumers along the way. The suit alleges "a widespread Internet advertising scam" by Utah-based Pacific Web Works and 50 unnamed defendants.

Jason Morrison, of Google, said, "We hope this does kind of send a message that you can't use Google's name to trick users. It's just not going to fly."

Wallace pointed to one of the ads Google says is part of the lawsuit.

Google, she said, is in the title with the Google logo prominently displayed.

"I enter my personal information," Wallace said during a demonstration, "and just one click later, they're asking me for my credit card information."

In 2008, Internet fraud cost consumers $264.6 million, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Shawn Henry, assistant director of the FBI Cyber Division, told CBS News skepticism might be the consumer's best defense.

"It comes down to that old adage, 'If it looks too good to be true, it probably is,'" Henry said. "If someone is offering to pay you a thousand dollars a day and all you have to do is walk in and cash a check and send them the proceeds, it's probably a scam."

Wallace added, "Be skeptical -- as skeptical as you would be off-line."

CBS News contacted Pacific Web Works -- the target of the Google suit -- and the company did not return phone calls or e-mails. The company, Wallace said, was sued in November by an Illinois resident who alleged deceptive billing practices.

[longtree-2009]

hard to protect idiots from themselves much less from intelligent scammers, con men/women. who was it that said there is a sucker born every minute (or was it day)?

[newsterl]

by bubbadubba
Look for the little gold padlock on the bottom of your browser which appears to indicate a secure connection."

A "secure" connection right to the hacker or scammer's machine, yup!

Heres a new one in the email, a real laugh since the post office uses a .gov url so its a dead giveaway if the url isnt .gov it aint legit;


In a message dated 12/5/09 6:20:13 PM, [e-mail] writes:


UNITED STATES POSTMASTER GENERAL INSPECTION SERVICE,
PO BOX 555, NEW YORK NY 10116-0555
EMAIL: [e-mail]

This is to notify you that we have intercepted your parcel from DHL COURIER
SERVICE are making the delivery and we have stopped the delivery process for
some security reasons stated below:

1. Our scanning system has detected that your parcel contains a confirmable
CARD to the tune of US$1, 500,000.00 USD.

Also for the Delivery of the Parcel to continue, you are in obligation to
obtain from Spain, a Duly Sworn Affidavit from Spanish High Court which will
back up the Origin of Fund. This is in line with the Anti-Terrorist Campaign
which the USA Government has embarked on recently to protect our Territory from
future attacks. You should therefore contact the sender of the CARD or the DHL
Courier Agent in Madrid Spain to get the Sworn Affidavit for you while we wait
to receive from you the Affidavit File Number to enable us forward your CARD to
your address.

Below is his contact information. Note that the cost of the Affidavit is 98 dollars
and do not hesitate to remit the amount to him.

Name: Mr. Michael Boston
===

LOL Mr "Boston" has been reported to his domain host and to the USPS postal inspectors office.

[msemp1860]

I'd like to say I'm glad they finally caught up with them, I'm in the process of trying to get some of my money back. They post this stuff on legitimate websites and get away with it. Go Google Get them S.O.B'S. I HAD TO CANCEL MY CARD ALSO EVEN THOUGH I CANCELLED THE ACCOUNT AS SOON AS I REALIZED WHAT IT WAS......

[bubbadubba]

You would have to be totally stupid to get in a fight with Google with their hundreds of billions.
I hope Google takes everything those scammers own including their homes.
Our government ("Our government"? Sorry a stupid idiotic slip there. It hasn't been our government since Woodrow Wilson gave the country to the wealthy by letting the Fed take over (his words)) needs to start putting the scammers in jail.

[TheStolenGiraffe]

Here's some good advice...if your browser address doesn't have https:// when you're at the screen entering your info, its probably not a good idea to fill in any sensitive info like your social or credit card number.

https designates that a website a secure and encrypted...

[bubbadubba]

Good point but a bit misguided. Https does not ensure security.
Look for the little gold padlock on the bottom of your browser which appears to indicate a secure connection. Also look for the entire web address and is should be simple and who you think you are dealing with, if it is a mess of confusing sub directories etc, it is a scam.
If you are dealing with Google, it should start with Google.com/ etc.
Go directly to Google.com and you can do the ad money thing and know who you are dealing with. "make money with Google" link on Google's home page.

[newsterl]

And you dont think scammers and hackers couldnt put up an https web site to
"securely encrypt" your credit card info???

[kastock3]

I just wanted to say a quick Thank You for your coverage of this story--I feel like less of an idiot knowing that it is as widespread as it is. I got sucked into this scam about 3 weeks ago after finding out I was losing my job. It actually didn't look like a get-rich-quick type of thing, just something I could do from home to earn some extra money. Because the ad said "google", I felt much safer. I agreed to pay $2.95 for some information, which, needless to say, I never received. A few days later I noticed a $79 charge on my ATM card. I called the 800 number on my statement and quickly realized that I had been scammed. "Nonrefundable" one time fee is what they told me and that they would immediately cancel my "membership". Just yesterday, I noticed another charge on my ATM card for $24. I called them as well and was told that if I did not opt out of the offer when I requested information, then I was automatically enrolled- completely disgusting what they are doing! Shouldn't I have the chance to opt in instead of having to opt out--of course in fine print.
Advice for anyone else out there....CANCEL your card and get a new one reissued. I have a feeling these charges would continue to come in from all different "companies" whose offers I did not opt OUT of.
Unfortunately, google has now been put on my "do not use" list because of this connection.
Thanks again for the story!