The 2012 Olympic Games are just a few months away and will draw an estimated 6 million visitors to London. But while the world’s top athletes prepare for Olympic glory, another group is also hard at work: professional con artists.

The Olympics, with its mix of money, name recognition and a worldwide audience of millions, is an irresistible draw to scammers. Olympic scams have been circulating for months already and will only intensify in coming weeks. Here are a few examples:

• In January, a London man was arrested for his part in a transatlantic sweetheart scam that conned an American woman out of more than $200,000. The female victim met the perpetrator on an online dating site. He told her that he had landed a contract to provide buses for police transportation during the Olympics and needed money to help with the initial costs.

• Cybercrooks have been sending out phishing emails cashing in on the Olympic name, hoping to get people to click on malicious links or provide personal identifying information. In one example, recipients are invited to enter a lottery for a travel package to the Games. Clicking on the accompanying link installs malware on the user’s computer.

• Travelers to London looking for accommodation are lured in by fake listings. Scammers claim to be landlords or agents, poach photos from genuine rentals and post them as their own. When renters pay their deposits, the con artists pocket the money and move on to the next victim.

Once in London, visitors should be on the lookout for street-level scams, which are often disguised as offers of help, pleas for assistance or even as entertainment.

London’s Metropolitan Police has taken an aggressive approach, creating Operation Podium, a special initiative to prevent and crack down on Olympics-related crime.

For more information on scams associated with the Olympics, contact London native and deception expert James Munton. 

(Image: Ben Sutherland on Flickr)

Have you ever ordered something online that turned out to be not exactly as advertised? Maybe the shirt was a different color or the belt was synthetic, not real leather. But let’s say you ordered what you thought were two cell phones and instead received two pictures of cell phones. That’s right. Two pieces of paper in an envelope for $456.

This is exactly what happened to the plaintiff in a “Judge Judy” case. Watch and listen:

While you may be shocked at the nonchalance of the defendant, her lack of remorse is typical of con artists. There is no attempt to hide the fact that she set out to scam someone. As far as she is concerned, she got one over on her victims and that makes her the winner. There’s no mistaking the intent of her Ebay listing, however. Advertise two cell phones. Make people think they’re buying a cell phone. Put a disclaimer in small print and wait to reel in the prize.

“It’s not my fault she can’t read.” That pretty much sums up the scammer’s arrogance. She has no conscience. She's proud of what she did. Why else would she go on national television and own up to being a devious cheat? Even her logic is faulty. If you put a sharp object in the middle of the road and someone drives over it and gets a flat tire, is it the driver's fault for not seeing it? Blaming the victim is a sorry excuse for inexcusable behavior.

Con artists do not fit any single demographic profile. The one thing that they do have in common is that they have no concern for other people’s losses or suffering. It simply doesn’t factor into their thinking. It’s difficult for anyone with a sense of morality to comprehend, which can make it even easier for scammers to operate. That’s why it’s important to be aware that these people exist, to understand and recognize how they operate and to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior…and mothers of three named Kelli Filkins.

When it comes to data security, it turns out that the weakest link is…us.

A new study by the Ponemon Institute and sponsored by Trend Micro found that nearly 80 percent of organizations have experienced a data breach as a result of negligent or malicious employees or other insiders. Lost laptops and other mobile devices, mishandling of data, and deliberate actions are the cause of many data breaches.

Risky practices employees engage in includes:

• Using insecure network connections
• Keeping information on their computer when no longer necessary
• Sharing passwords
• Using the same passwords and usernames on multiple sites
• Utilizing unprotected USB drives
• Leaving computers unattended
• Losing USB drives
• Working on a laptop in public without a privacy screen
• Transporting sensitive information unnecessarily
• Using personal mobile devices to connect to a workplace network

One of the study’s recommendations is that organizations “create awareness among employees and other insiders about the need to spend more time and effort on data protection activities.” Companies spend large amounts of money on their technological infrastructure while neglecting a major risk: their employees.

James Munton’s entertaining and informative presentations raise awareness of privacy and security issues within the workplace. To find out more about bringing James to your conference or meeting, click here. 

(Image: Tim Patterson on Flickr)

The 14th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) will take place March 4-10, 2012. The nationwide campaign brings government agencies together with private organizations to encourage consumers to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions in the marketplace. During NCPW, groups share tips and information that help consumers protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, and steer clear of frauds and scams. 

What can you do as a consumer to participate in NCPW? Here are a few ideas:

• Go through your old files and documents and make a discard pile. Take the discards to be shredded. If you don't know of a shredding facility nearby, call your local environmental services department (i.e., the people who take away your trash) and ask for a recommendation. Make sure it's a place where you can watch as your papers are being shredded.

• Check your credit report. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report each year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com for instructions on how to obtain your report. Once you receive either the electronic or paper version, look it over carefully and check for discrepancies or anything that looks unfamiliar. If there are accounts that have been inactive for years, call and close them permanently.  

• Make sure you are on the National Do Not Call Registry. 

• Update the virus software on your computer.

• Educate yourself! An informed consumer is a safer consumer. Check out or buy a copy of The Con: How Scams Work, Why You're Vulnerable, and How to Protect Yourself.