WCYT

TOO many people are looking for a bargain so it's no wonder that fraudsters are able to capitalise on this greed. And the latest scams involve the new Apple iPad tablet.

There are two diferent frauds involving the tablet and both work out very expensive for those who let greed get the better of them.

The first works similarly to the fake watch scam whereby someone pulls up alongside you I in a supermarker or shopping mall car park saying they have some cheap iPad's to sell and promptly show you the genuine article.

And what tempts you to buy one is the fact they are selling at half price or even less. Trouble is those stupid enough not to check what is in the package first get home to discover that the iPad's are in fact pieces of wood with the Apple logo covered in bubble wrap.

By the time you get it open the scammers will be long gone with your money, and you’re left with a piece of worthless firewood.

The second scam involves people signing up to become an iPad tester via Facebook or other social networking sites and they could find themselves out of pocket because it's a scam which actually signs you up to a premium rate mobile service, warns security company Sophos.

"Facebook pages with names such as "iPad Researchers Wanted - Get An iPad Early And Keep It!" and "The Mega iPad Giveaway!" prey on the public's desire to own a free iPad," claims Sophos senior technology consultant Graham Cluley.

It works by taking the intended victims through a three step process: 1) "Become a Fan" of the page; 2) "Invite your friends" to also become fans of the page, and take part in the "special promotion" [they might not stay your friends for that long afterwards - CA]; 3) "Claim" or "Apply" for your prize.

Some of the pages pretend to have thousands of positive comments from other Facebook users claiming that the offer is genuine. And it's also running on Twitter - so beware there of people or accounts with these free 'offers'.

When the victim applies for the prize they are typically taken to an online quiz, and their mobile phone number is requested so they can be sent the results.

"You will be signed up for a premium rate service, costing you in the region of £10 every week, until you unsubscribe. The scammers who created the fake iPad Facebook pages are undoubtedly skimming off some of this money by bringing new unwitting subscribers to the cellphone service," said Cluley.

"Not all of them pretend to offer an iPad, so be on your guard for other scams too. The most important thing to remember is to not invite your friends to any Facebook page or application until you have thoroughly researched what it's about. Furthermore, you should never be tempted to hand over your mobile phone number to some daft internet quiz."

WCYT

A community interest company keeping vulnerable residents in Essex safe from rogue tradesmen and doorstep conmen

www.whocanyoutrust.org.uk

Fake iPad was a real eye opener

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