Online scams can occur in many different forms. Below are the top six scams as reported by the Federal Trade Commission for 2004:

• Internet Auction Fraud:
  The non-delivery or untimely arrival of goods. Also, the delivery of goods that are less valuable than advertised and failure to disclose all the relevant information about the product or terms of the sale.
• Shop-at-Home/Catalog Sales:
  Problems with purchases made via the Internet (not including auction sales), telephone or mail such as undisclosed costs, failure to deliver on time, non-delivery and refusal to honor a guarantee.
• Internet Access Services and Computers:
  Include trial offers from ISPs, difficulty canceling an ISP account, undisclosed Website charges, problems with computer software and equipment purchases and spyware.
• Foreign Money Offers:
  Letters or e-mails that offer the "opportunity" to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that a self-proclaimed government official is trying to transfer illegally out of a foreign country in return for money, bank account numbers or other identifying information from the victim.
• Internet Information and Adult Services:
  Charges to credit cards or phone bills for services never provided and/or received.
• Business Opportunities:
  Include medical billing scams, misleading franchise and Internet-based business opportunities as well as wealth building plans that don't make good on their promises.

Online Scam References:

• Website:
  Contains victim's stories, tips on current scams, and alerts to help prevent consumers from becoming victims of Internet fraud schemes. www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com
• Website:
  News and resources about phishing, the latest occurrences and how to protect yourself are available at www.antiphishing.org, www.visa.com/phishing, www.bbb.org/phishing, and www.callforaction.org.
• Article:
  FDIC And FBI Investigating Fraudulent Emails Press Release - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
• Article:
  How Not to Get Hooked by a 'Phishing' Scam - Federal Trade Commission
• Article:
  Email Address Harvesting: How Spammers Reap What You Sow - Federal Trade Commission
• Article:
  Tips on How to Avoid Fraud on the Internet - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)