BANK CARD SCAM EVOLVES INTO PRIZE CLAIM

E-mail credit/debit card scam has evolved into an enticing prize claim.

Ottawa, Ontario, 11/10/2003- Nebularis Inc., an e-mail security company based in Ottawa, Ontario announced over the weekend the discovery of e-mail credit and debit card scammers using new techniques to dupe victims.

"Previously, these debit and credit card scams would be disguised as e-mail from AOL or E-Bay, asking the user to verify their billing information. After that, it evolved into e-mail from banks asking to verify credit or debit card information. Now, the scam involves the e-mail recipient apparently winning a prize, such as a laptop, and being directed to a page to enter shipping information, and requiring a credit or debit card number to pay for the shipping charges for their new prize," says e-mail technologist Jay Swackhamer.

MailPolice(TM), an e-mail protection service operated by Nebularis, is currently investigating a version of this scam that involves winning an Apple iBook from a computer store grand opening. The e-mail explains that the recipients e-mail address was chosen from an e-mail marketing list as part of a prize draw. To claim the prize, the recipient must visit a website and enter shipping details, as well as debit card number and PIN. This scam first appeared November 7, and there have been more than 300 incidents within the first 2 days.

"Previous scams could easily be debunked because of how suspicious they were," says Mr. Swackhamer, noting banks dont request personal information from their customers through e-mail, "but enticing the victim with a prize, and requiring their debit or credit card information for purposes of shipping, could be far more believable."

These websites typically look very professional, and sometimes actually use SSL secure server certificates, which may give victims a false sense of security.

Nebularis advises that Internet users should never give out debit card information, PINs or banking passwords over e-mail or Internet websites.

For additional information, Contact:
Dale Waterman
Nebularis Information Systems Incorporated
Tel: 613-843-9358 #261
Fax: 613-825-5960
info@nebularis.com
http://nebularis.com

Nebularis Inc. is a provider of computer technology services, including web hosting, computer technical support, and Internet technology development. MailPolice(TM) is a secure e-mail service, providing customers with a 100% available managed e-mail system that passively protects against spam, viruses, pornography, hoaxes, and other intrusive e-mail. More information is available at http://www.mailpolice.com.

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