When you enter the URL for FluidNow, you reasonably expect that your browser will take you to that exact site, rather than to an alternate site that threatens to create a quick payday for a cyber squatter by siphoning off your cash or infecting your computer with malware that could capture your credit card number. Sadly for those unemployed in Florida, a cyber squatter has been taking advantage of those who mistype the URL for FluidNow which is Florida Unemployment Internet Direct. Something as simple as typing “wwwfluidnow.com” instead of “www.fluidnow.com” has been placing some Floridians seeking unemployment benefits on a harmful site that will charge consumers to access their unemployment funds. This has been going on for a couple of months, according to WalletPop, and spoofing of FluidNow remains a problem.
FluidNow scam – one more thing Florida doesn’t need
The continuing FluidNow difficulties could not have come at a worse time. According to the U.S. Department of Labor and the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, the rate of unemployment in Florida is higher than average, two to three percent above the national average. As this recession continues on, unemployment is still staying high. Those in need who want to visit www.fluidnow.com (which redirects to www.floridajobs.org), but those who mistype the address are nevertheless being taken by the wwwfluidnow.com scam. Hence, Florida officials urge their state’s unemployed to use www.floridajobs.org to keep away from any possible trouble.
Use the site www.floridajobs.org and call the Florida Attorney General
If you or someone that you may know is an unemployed Floridian who has gotten tangled within the FluidNow spoofing, you are urged to contact the Florida Attorney General at (866) 966-7226 or file a claim at http://myfloridalegal.com/.
Www.fluidnow.com is based in Australia
That should be the first sign that something is amiss. A Whois lookup confirms the spoofing site doesn’t even originate within the United States, let alone Florida. Cyber squatting and spoofing that take advantage of simple typos aren’t new phenomena, yet people still fall prey to their deception. Have a look at the WalletPop FluidNow article for some screenshots of how the site should appear to you vs. the impostor, and keep in mind that you would never have to pay an additional fee to claim your unemployment benefits in any state. Any cash til payday loan should belong to you, not a criminal.
Citations
spoofing of FluidNow remains a problem
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/05/03/fluidnow-typo-costs-florida-unemployment-filers/
www.floridajobs.org
http://www.floridajobs.org/
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