The National Adult Protective Services (NAPSA) Monthly Scam Advice Forum

Every day, countless fake websites mimic trusted banks, retailers, and organizations — fooling consumers and evading takedown efforts. But who’s really behind these scams, and why are they so hard to stop? Join for an eye-opening forum featuring Derek Smyth of Artists Against 419, a volunteer group dedicated to exposing fraudulent websites and supporting law enforcement. Derek will take us behind the scenes of online fraud, exploring how domain and hosting companies play a role and what’s being done to make the internet safer for everyone.

Description: Crooks use a variety of fake websites to further their frauds, often copying those of banks and other real companies. How often does this happen, and why aren’t these easily removed? What is the role of domain name companies and web hosting companies? Who is behind creating these sites?

Presenter: Derek Smyth from Artists Against 419. Derek joined them at the end of 2003 shortly after it was created as an anti-scam consumer activist group. Derek spends his free time wandering around on the internet in all the wrong places, trying to make sense of threats folks don't normally recognize. This information is shared with partner groups such as anti-virus vendors and law enforcement in an effort at making the internet a slightly safer place for consumers.