Internauts in Invercargill Urged to Protect their Email Account

As per report of Stuff.co.nz on 12th July, Internauts are being asked to protect their email passwords after scammers broke email account of a woman Anna Huffstutler's in Invercargill (Southland, New Zealand).

Scammers impersonating Ms. Huffstutler, sent emails to her contacts asking for money because she was in Spain and lost her wallet.

Ms Huffstutler says that it had lot of work material in her email which she cannot access now.

Since Tuesday 9th July, 2013, she had sent three emails to Yahoo from a different email address asking them to close her account but till now she has not received any reply.

She did not know how scammers obtained her password and broken her account.

Ms Huffstutler said that 15 people received email asking them for money. Press Secretary of an MP also received the email who had contacted her to find out the actual status.

She had used her Facebook page to inform people to ignore the scam email which was asking for money.

Unfortunately, Ms. Huffstutler was struck by an emergency scam or stranded scam.

In such scam, con artists hack email or social media accounts and target victim's friends and family with frantic requests for money. They impersonate the traveler and give reasons like injury, lost or stolen wallet (as in this case), or even say they were arrested. As per the comments of investigating official, Scammers use maximum information of these accounts to give enough personal details to make their requests appear genuine.

These scams play off people's emotions and strong desire to help friends and family in need. Investigating officials add that you should resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story may appear, and you should never send money without verifying the fact.

Virginia State Senator, Louise Lucas was recently attacked by a similar scam. The scammer impersonating Lucas sent email titled "Horrible Trip" stating that she has been stuck in France and lost her wallet and cell phone and her passport seized by Hotel admin.

» SPAMfighter News - 7/23/2013