Swine Flu Scammers Create Their Own Epidemic Online

Consumers are being warned of fraudulent emails and websites taking advantage of swine flu outbreak.

Swine flu is making headlines and making many people nervous. But some people are looking to make money off the swine flu frenzy. Just days after news of the outbreak broke, online security experts reported more then 250 internet web sites were registered with the term "Swine Flu" in them.

Consumer protection organizations like the Better Business Bureau are warning consumers to be on the lookout for online sites offering everything from Swine Flu survival kits to Swine Flu survival guides to Swine Flu vaccines. Online scammers are aware of whats' going on in the news and will prey on our fear in order to sell their fake wares.

Consumers need to know that a vaccine for Swine Flu does not exist yet. While there are flu medications out there that can treat the illness, people are advised to see a medical professional for treatment and not to put their health at risk by buying powerful drugs online.

People also need to know that some of these Swine Flu sites may also spread computer viruses and spyware. Consumers online should always disregard unsolicited emails sent to their computer. Delete them or forward them to the FTC. And never open unknown links, because they can take you and your computer somewhere you don't want to go. Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date. If your computer becomes infected by a spam email about Swine Flu, you can report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

For the very latest on the Swine Flu outbreak, the best place to go is The Centers for Disease Control and Research. Their site has the very latest information.