Watch out for a new scam where sites or e-mailers claim they can help you qualify for stimulus money for small amounts of money (think $1.99). The idea, of course, is that Obama's stimulus package is handing out money and you could qualify for some of it. Websites are using this as a means of getting your credit card information and using it for fraud. Some are sneakier, just by clicking on links you can have spyware or malware downloaded on your computer. I guess the problem is becoming serious enough that the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has to get involved. See their site for more details.

It makes sense: in tough economic conditions people are desperate for ways to get their hands on money, and others (also desperate for money) will take advantage of the situation. One good way to cut down on fraud like this is simply spread the word. It always amazes me how fast word spreads on a subject we really need not care about (Jen meets with Brad and Angelina...), but the important ones often go under the radar.

So help me spread the word on this scam and others that pop up. Please remember to keep people informed, not scared. Having people fear the internet (or really anything) is a step in the wrong direction. Take sharks for example - pop machines are responsible for more human casualties each year than sharks - yet sharks have a horrible reputation and people fear them. The result? The public is largely turning a blind eye to an estimated 100,000,000 sharks being killed each year for their fins. Not good. Anyways, tell your friends and family not to buy into these new stimulus scams.