14 DAY TRIAL // The US government shutdown is over. However, just before Congress reached a settlement on the matter, spammers had been busy sending out all sorts of scam emails.
One type of scammy email making the rounds just before the end of the government shutdown promised recipients quick loans.
The bogus offers analyzed by experts from Symantec are entitled “Your name was mentioned,” and read something like this: “As the government shutdown continues we would like to help you out in any way that we can. This advancement is available to assist you today.”
Those who accept the offer and click on the links contained in the email are taken to a website where they’re asked to indicate the amount of cash they want. Then, they’re taken to another page where they’re instructed to hand over additional information.
Experts advise users to be extra careful if presented with such offers. The shutdown may be over for now, but considering that the US government is highly unstable, similar scam campaigns might be launched.
Check out the gallery to see what the emails and the scam sites look like.
