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Web posted
Monday, January 12, 2004
Internet warning issued
By the Journal Staff
Federal officials in Anchorage issued a warning recently regarding a new trend in Internet thievery.
Alaska manufacturers and distributors are reporting an increase in Internet orders from foreign buyers using stolen or fraudulent credit cards, according to a Dec. 24 press release from the Alaska Export Assistance Center.
In addition to hackers stealing lists of credit card numbers, scam artists are able to create fictitious credit card accounts by employing algorithms used in producing authentic account numbers.
The bogus numbers are then used to circumvent the normal credit verification process.
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Many of the credit scams have originated in sub-Saharan African countries, Russia and Indonesia but the activity is not limited to those countries. Merchants should be alert to the increasing level of credit card fraud, and treat all orders from abroad with prudent caution, the release stated.
Several Web sites offer tips on ways merchants can screen legitimate orders from fraudulent users. Some of the more popular sites are:
www.scambusters.org
www.internetsecure.com
www.merchant911.org
The U.S. Commercial Service, operating out of embassies in 81 foreign countries, offers background checks on companies and individuals overseas.
Merchants may contact the Alaska Export Assistance Center in Anchorage at 907-271-6237 to initiate a background check.
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