Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Las Vegas Shooting Massacre Donation Scams
Las Vegas Shooting Massacre Donation Scams

Scammers are already taking advantage of the Las Vegas Shooting massacre, where gunman Stephen Paddock killed at least 57 people, and left at least 500 injured. The scammers are taking advantage by creating fake charity or donation websites to steal money, personal and financial information. Cybercriminals may also create fake and malicious email messages which may appear as if they came from legitimate charitable organizations asking for donations, to infect their potential victims' computers with viruses, ransomware, or malware. And, the scammers may create bogus social media pages and posts, and fraudulent charitable organizations with numbers to call.

There are also scammers who are claiming to sell virtual or non-tangible products that they claim the proceeds from the sales of those products will help the victims. But, that money will never reach the victims, it will end up in the pockets of the scammers.

Remember, charity or donation scams are common after tragedies or major natural disasters because scammers know that people are eager to help the victims.

Donate to charities you know and trust. And, never click on links or open attachments in emails unless you know who sent them and what they are. Opening attachments, even in e-mails that seem to be from friends, family members, or legitimate organizations can infect your computer or mobile device with viruses, spyware, Trojan horse and other malware that cybercriminals use to spy on you and steal your information.

Remember, be careful when sending your money; you want to help the victims and not to make the scammers rich by taking advantage of the tragedy.

You may make donations to the Las Vegas Victims Go Fund Me account or go to the Red Cross' website at www.redcrossblood.org for information about donating blood.

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