Many people are excited about the start of the Winter Olympics including scam artists and identity thieves who see every event that captures the public’s interest as an opportunity to scam you or steal your identity. Many people will be receiving emails purporting to contain updates, photos and videos of Olympic events.  Unfortunately, if you click on the links or download the attachments in these emails, you will end up downloading keystroke logging malware that will steal your personal information from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone and use that information to make you a victim of identity theft.  If you are shopping for Olympic merchandise, you should be wary of the large amount of counterfeit and poor value fake Olympic merchandise that is being sold on the Internet.

TIPS

As I have warned you many times, never click on a link or download an attachment unless you are absolutely sure that it is legitimate.  In regard to Olympic email or text messaged updates you are better off not downloading or clicking on links in any emails or text messages you may receive even if they appear to be from a legitimate source because the URL may appear to be legitimate, but it may merely be “spoofed” or copied from a legitimate site so it appears legitimate, but in truth is not.  You are better off going directly on your own to sources such as http://www.espn.com that you know are legitimate.  Also, make sure that your anti-malware and anti-virus software is installed and up to date on all of your electronic devices.

In regard to purchasing official Olympic merchandise, go directly to the official Olympic website of http://www.sochi2014.com.  If you want Team USA merchandise, go the official Team USA website of wwwteamusa.org.  Both of these websites are safe and secure places to purchase official Olympic merchandise and apparel.