Store used in Internet scam

A fraudulent e-mail currently circulating in Utah and elsewhere involves a fake Wal-Mart customer survey, seeks personal financial information and offers a $100 gift certificate.

As the economy remains poor and people's wallets are slim, these scams will likely increase. At the same time, some people now suffering hard financial times might be desperate for something that implies getting a quick reward.

"We do not participate in these type of promotions," Ashley Hardie, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman, said. "This is a terrible thing that our name is being misused. It's simply a scam."

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," said Jennifer Bolton, spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Commerce, adding that philosophy is simple but sound.

"You have been selected to access the Walmart 2 steps survey and win a $100.00 gift certificate," the bogus e-mail begins.

The reply address in the e-mail is listed as Walmart.com. The customer service director's name listed is authentic and the links below the survey are all for the real Wal-Mart Web site. As with many Internet scams, it appears legitimate.

After completing the survey, you are required to enter your credit card and pin numbers, a sure sign of fraud. You should never provide that information in an e-mail, Bolton said.

Also, checking the main Web site domain address at the top of the screen shows it is not from Wal-Mart's actual Web site but simply a link to it. And receiving $100 for only a few minutes work is a clue that it's too good to be true.

"Why would Wal-Mart pay you $100 for taking a brief survey?" Bolton said.

The Utah Division of Consumer Protection has detailed advice on how to avoid Internet scams online at consumerprotection.utah.gov/scams/topten.html, including:

If you receive an e-mail or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via e-mail.

Remember that e-mail is not a secure method to transmit personal information.

Use anti-virus, anti-spyware software and a firewall and update them regularly.

Regularly review credit card and bank account statements to check for unauthorized charges.

Be cautious about opening any computer attachment or downloading any files from e-mails.

More consumer safety advice is available at the Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm.