Protect Yourself and Report the Latest Frauds, Scams, Spams, Fakes, Identify Theft Hacks and Hoaxes
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Have you received an email from "Mrs. Susan Oxford, Microsoft Awards" at "Microsoft Anniversary Draws" telling you that "your email address won in the second category" or something similar, and to contact "Mr. John Adu" to collect your winnings? It is a scam.
Did you know that Microsoft has a awards sweepstakes in which they randomly give away money to people whose email addresses Microsoft magically "collected"? This is news to Microsoft, too. It is a scam.
Microsoft has never had any anniversary awards sweepstakes, or any other type of lottery or sweepstakes (and we're pretty sure they never will). Bill Gates has made that pretty clear.
And, while we're on the subject, Microsoft is not, does not, and will not ever send you to DisneyWorld. They don't "test the internet", nor sponsor email lotteries to "promote use of the internet", "to promote the use of email", to reward users, nor "to promote the use of computers worldwide". Nor do they have lotteries to "promote MS Word" or "the launch of Vista", Hotmail, or other products. No lottery selects winners "using a database of email addresses", or "from websites worldwide", or from "our computer ballot system".
The scammers may change the names and details, but it is still a scam! Don't be completely gullible!
Below is the example of the fake email scam (the email is the scam, not any persons or companies named in the email) claiming to be from the "Microsoft Anniversary Draws".
Although the most important clue is that there is NO Microsoft sweepstakes, lottery or any other giveaway, there are many other signs that this is a fraud. We have highlighted some of these in the email below, not the least of which are:
Email address ballot: There is no such thing as a "computer ballot system" or "computer email draw". No one, not even Microsoft has a database of email addresses of the type or magnitude they suggest.
Terrible spelling, punctuation, syntax and grammar - Scammers apparently don't know how to use spell checkers. We assume they dropped out of school before that class. They use almost excessive and random CapItaLiZAtion. They often can't even spell "February" or know that "22th" ought to be "22nd". These scammers usually write at the 3rd grade level. Being non-native English speakers, they also often get first names and surnames (last names reversed), so you will frequently see names like "Mr. SMITH JAMES.", instead of "Mr. James Smith", along with the peculiar usage of periods (full stops) and spaces or the lack thereof. Real lotteries also proofread their emails and look and read more professional.
Using free email account: The scammer is writing to you from a FREE email account (Yahoo, Hotmail, Excite, AIM, Gmail, etc.). Don't you think a Microsoft would write to your from and have you reply to an address "@Microsoft.com"?
Keep Confidential - Real sweepstakes and lotteries THRIVE on publicity - they don't want you to keep anything secret - the publicity causes people to enter or buy more of their products. The scammer want you to keep quiet because they don't want the police or ConsumerFraudreporting to hear about them! It should read: "For our own security, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential until we have finished scamming you!"
Require the winner to pay - U.S. federal law prohibits sweepstakes from charging you for anything, not "delivery", couriers, taxes, fees, handling charges, or anything else!
Here is a typical scam sweepstakes winning notification.
Microsoft Award
20 Craven Park, Harlesden
London NW10
United KingdomDear Winner,
Your email address just won you $100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Dollars) in the on going end of year Microsoft Anniversary Draws.
These Draws are commemorative and as such special Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our Africa booklet representative in west Africa indicated in your play coupon, In view of this, your $100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Dollars) Cheque would be released to you by our fiduciary agent in West Africa Our Fiduciary agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your cheque as soon as you contact he.
Claims Agent: Mr. John Adu
Email: johnadu10@yahoo.com.hk
Contact the Claims Agent with the below datas:
Name in full:
Address:
Occupation:
Tel:
Age/Sex:
Present Country:Sincerely,
Mrs. SUSAN OXFORD
Co-ordinator
Microsoft Promotion Team
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