You got Flowers! Email scam targets AOL users

Put it on the e-compost heap

By Drew Cullen • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 26th February 2003 22:46 GMT

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Andrew Goodwill, who runs Early Warning, a scheme to warn UK retailers of credit card fraudsters, has uncovered a new email scam targeting AOL users. It's a weird one, which appears to be set up simply for harvesting AOL account details through false pretences. What for? Identity fraud maybe? The scam appears to have been in operation for no more than a couple of days, Early Warning says

Here is its warning in full.

Members of The Early Warning online fraud prevention scheme have just discovered a new email Scam that targets users of AOL (America On-Line). The user initially receives the email below;

Dear AOL Member,

There has been a purchase added to your AOL account billing method. This purchase took place at 1-800-Flowers.com. To view and/or cancel this order please click here. Below is listed information about your order.
Product - 32 dozen long stem red roses
Price - $79.99
Shipment Type - 3-5 Day
Ground Shipping and Handling - $13.65
Total Price - $93.64

If the user clicks on the accompanying link they are taken to a page on a site called http://www.wegivefreequotes.org/ The user is then requested to enter their AOL account details. Early Warning has confirmed that this is a Scam and AOL users are warned not to access the site or give out their account details.

Early Warning has contacted 1-800-Flowers.com and they have confirmed that this email message has not originated from their organisation. AOL has also been informed of the Scam. ®

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