'Pedophile Alert' Email Is a Scam: Annapolis Police

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A “Pedophile Alert” email that some residents have received is a scam, warns the Annapolis Police Department.

The email says that a sex offender may be in the area, and gives a link readers can click to learn who the offenders are and where they live.

But the Better Business Bureau says the email is a scam to infect your computer and find credit card information and passwords.

If you want to check on offenders in your neighborhood, police urge residents to use the online Maryland Sex Offender registry. The website allows users to search for registered sex offenders living and working in an area, be notified of registrants’ movements, and explore resources that will help you to prevent and get treatment for sexual abuse.

How to Spot a Scam Email:

In general, it’s best not to click on links that come in unsolicited emails. Instead, says the Better Business Bureau, go to your browser and search for the organization if you want more information.

• Check out the “From” field: Scammers hide email addresses, making the message appear to come from a legitimate source. Look out for email addresses that don’t match the brand used in the email message.
• Watch for typos, strange phrasing and bad grammar. Scammers can easily copy a brand’s logo and email format, but awkward wording and poor grammar are a sign that the message is a scam.
• Hover over URLs to reveal their true destination. Typically, the hyperlinked text will say one thing, but the link will point somewhere else. Scammers either set up fake websites or hack into third-party sites and use them to host malware.

»Image of scam email text courtesy of Annapolis Police Department