New scam targets identity theft: ACT police

ACT Detective-Sergeant Fiona Sagripanti said the latest scam has the subject "Your ID was stolen" and attempts to persuade the user to visit a Web site.

"This latest scam is particularly shrewd as it appears under the title 'Your I.D was stolen' and then attempts to induce the recipient to visit a Web site offering assistance. If the Web site is visited, a Trojan is activated that allows the scammers to log the user's computer usage, which could include personal and financial details," Sagripanti said.

Sagripanti warns that users should be careful before opening their e-mails and that not all virus protection programs can guard their PCs against Internet sites containing Trojans.

Sagripanti is encouraging Internet users to visit useful Web sites, such as www.codephish.info, that has regularl updates about spam, and Trojan or virus related issues.

Codephish is a not-for-profit Web site maintained by volunteers and Internet users.