Email Scam Alert!
Beware of Fraudulent E-mail Purporting to be from GreetingCard.org
The Greeting Card Association's website, GreetingCard.org, is being used in a "phishing" scam.
Fraudulent emails containing malicious links and viruses have been sent to consumers
around the country claiming to contain an e-card from GreetingCard.org.
Frequently the message line says, You've received a greeting card from [a family member…
a friend…a classmate, etc.] There are numerous versions of this scam.
Please note that the Greeting Card Association (GCA) does not provide e-card mailing services,
and is not sending these e-mails. GCA's computer and email systems are not involved in this hoax.
If you receive a message claiming to contain an e-card from GreetingCard.org,
or if you receive an email purporting to be from GreetingCard.org and
it directs you to click on a link or to download an .exe file,
it is fraudulent and should be discarded without opening.
Do not follow the instructions in these e-mails, and do not click on any link in these messages,
since it could introduce a virus into your computer. If you accidentally click on a link, we recommend
that you run an anti-virus program.
The Greeting Card Association has contacted the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission about
this "phishing" scam.
If you receive one of these fraudulent e-mails (see example below), we would encourage you
to file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at
www.IC3.gov.
An example of one of these fraudulent e-mails is shown below.
There are several different versions.
____________________________________________________________________________
From: "greetingCard.Org"
To:
Subject: You've received a greeting card from a family member!
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007
Good day.
Your family member has sent you an ecard from greetingCard.Org
.
Send free ecards from greetingCard.Org with your choice of colors,
words and music.
Your ecard will be available with us for the next 30 days. If you wish
to keep the ecard longer, you may save it on your computer or take a print.
To view your ecard, choose from any of the following options:
--------
OPTION 1
--------
Click on the following Internet address or copy & paste it into your
browser's address box.
http//xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/?98bb5cc61301cba46921636c
--------
OPTION 2
--------
Copy & paste the ecard number in the "View Your Card" box at
Http//xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Your ecard number is
98bb5cc61301cba46921636c
Best wishes,
Postmaster,
greetingCard.Org