Learn to Recognize and Avoid E-card Scams

Beware of fraudulent e-mails claiming you’ve received an electronic greeting card from an unnamed individual, someone you don’t know, or a generic friend...classmate...family member...etc.

These false e-mails are designed to fool you into thinking they involve legitimate greeting card publishers or e-card websites.

Instead, they are part of an Internet “phishing” scam designed to introduce a virus or malicious software into your computer.  Millions of these fraudulent e-mails have been sent to consumers and businesses around the country in recent months.

How The Scam Works

The scam e-mails…which often look very legitimate… instruct you to click on a link in the e-mail message to collect or view your e-card.  Clicking on the link can introduce a virus or malicious software into your computer.

How to Protect Yourself

A legitimate e-card notification will always include the full name or personal e-mail address of the sender.  The sender will never be identified by a generic term such as a “friend” or “family member.” 

Unless you recognize the full name or personal e-mail address of the sender, the e-mail is fraudulent and should be immediately deleted.  Do not click on the link.

All legitimate e-card publishers provide a way to collect an e-card directly from their websites, avoiding the use of potentially fraudulent links that can introduce a virus into your computer.

If you have the slightest doubt that the e-card is legitimate, do not click on the link.  Instead go directly to the card publisher’s website to safely retrieve your e-card. (Click here for instructions).

File a Complaint

The Greeting Card Association has contacted both the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI. Both are aware of this “phishing” scam.  In addition, the industry is working with Internet security organizations and Internet Service Providers to stem the malicious efforts of these scammers.

If you receive a fraudulent e-mail regarding e-cards, we recommend that you file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

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How to Safely Retrieve An E-card From a Publisher’s Website

You can always retrieve a legitimate e-card directly from a publisher’s website.

This is the safest way to retrieve an e-card and to avoid clicking on malicious links associated with “phishing” scams.

If you are unsure an e-card notice is genuine, we urge you to avoid clicking on any link within the notification e-mail. 

Use the following procedure to safely collect your card directly from the publisher.

• Manually type the name of the card publisher’s website URL into your browser window (for example, www.greetingcard.org). Do not “cut and paste”  the link into your browser

• Locate the “e-card pick up” area on the publisher’s website.

• Take the card number or retrieval code information from the e-mail and enter it into the appropriate box or boxes on the publisher’s e-card pick-up area.

• If there is no card awaiting you, the e-mail you received was a scam.  Delete it.

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See Examples of the Scam E-mails

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General Tips for Avoiding E-Scams & Computer Viruses

The Greeting Card Association wants you to enjoy receiving legitimate e-cards from your friends and family. 

Unfortunately, the current e-card “phishing” scam is just one of many fraudulent Internet schemes that prey on unsuspecting consumers.

To protect yourself from unwanted spam and fraudulent Internet schemes, we urge you to follow the precautions outlined below. 

Basic Rules of Cyber Safety

• Install and regularly update anti-virus software for your computer.

• Be cautious when downloading items or opening e-mail attachments.  Never open an e-mail attachment coming from someone you don’t know, or being forwarded to you from someone you don’t know.

• Ignore e-mails asking for personal or financial information.  Reputable companies and financial institutions will never ask you for personal or financial information via e-mail.  If you think the e-mail is legitimate, phone the company directly using a phone number that you know is accurate, not a number listed in the e-mail.

• Turn off your computer when not in use. Leaving your computer on can make it vulnerable to unwanted attacks.  Turning it off when you’re not using it saves energy too.

• Delete spam without opening it, and do not respond to it. This tells the spammer that he has reached a real e-mail address, and will generate more spam.

• Only purchase items on the Internet from reputable sources.  Do not purchase from an unsolicited e-mail offer.  Do not give your credit card number unless you know the site is secure.  Be extremely cautious of purchasing items from websites that do not also provide you with a street address and phone number for contacting the company directly.

• Avoid clicking on links to websites from unsolicited e-mails. Go directly to the website by manually typing in the appropriate URL.

• Learn more about protecting yourself from Internet fraud and “phishing” scams.  These U.S. government websites are very informative:  www.ic3.gov and www.OnGuardOnline.gov

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