عشر خطوات سهلة للتعرف على أحداث مثيرة للشك

في ظل الجهود المستمرة للمساعدة على محافظة أمان أعضاءTakingITGlobal أون لاين، هذا الدليل أنشأ استجابة لتزايد أعداد الأحداث المزيفة التي تظهر على الانترنت. أحيانا، يتصل بالأعضاء بواسطة TIG IM (المسج الفورية) أو بواسطة الاٍيميل من قبل أناس يدعون أنهم أعضاء من TIG أو من فريق عمل TIG. جميع الأحداث التي تديرها TakingITGlobal تنشر في روزنامة الأحداث وتظهر بأنه تتم استضافتها من قبل TakingITGlobal.

هذا الدليل ينطبق على أحداث كبيرة محلية وعالمية. بعض الخطوات مثل الخطوة الرابعة قد لا تنطبق على أحداث محلية صغيرة.

1. لا معلومات اٍتصال مفصلة
The host organization should always have their full mailing address (NO PO Box) and telephone number provided.

2. Incorrect address or telephone information
Sometimes, a fake event will provide false address information. Check this quickly using Google Maps to see if the address exists. Also check for the correct address format. For example, all postal codes in Canada follow this format: M5R 2H3 letter and number alternating. All US zip codes are 5 numbers, with no letters - such as 90210, or a longer format displayed with four digits at the end - such as 90210-1504.

3. No website or website of extremely poor quality
Most often, suspicious events will not have their own website. If they do, they are often of very poor quality. Any international event will have a well built website that is accessible at all times and has its own domain name such as www.wyc2008.qc.ca. Fake events may also use free hosting services that could make their website address appear as follows http://international-event.geocities.com or www.geocities.com/international-event.

4. An email address from a free provider
Suspicious events often ask participants to email them for more information but these are to free email providers such as Yahoo! or Hotmail. If the conference is large or international, it is unlikely that those associated with the conference will use a free email provider address.

5. اٍحسان أو شركة مزيفة
Fake conferences frequently use real company or charity names to seem legitimate. For Canada, the UK and the USA, you can lookup the charity's real address and contact information using a government charity search engine.

For Canada, go here.

For the United States, go here.

For the United Kingdom, go here.

6. Being directly contacted
If you were contacted to be involved in a conference when there is no clear reason as to why you were emailed, you should treat the event as suspicious.

7. If the event includes free travel, accommodation and per diems
If free travel or accommodation is offered, especially to all delegates, the event is almost certainly fraudulent. These programs (if available) are always limited in supply, and always include a formal application process.

8. If the event email or website asks for money or personal information
If contacted directly and the email asks you for money or personal information such as passport numbers right away without you asking to participate, the event is usually fraudlent. Be especially wary when you had not previously indicated interest to participate.

9. Real events will never request a processing fee or visa fee
If a person contacts you and requests any sort of application processing fee or visa fee the event should be treated as suspicious. Most charges related to visa costs would be covered by the participant and would be paid directly to either your local embassy or consulate or to immigration once you arrive in the host country. Major events never request application processing fees.

10. A final check!
As a last resort, call the organizers or email them and ask specific information about the event. You should be confident at this point that the event is real.

Right now, one popular scam to be aware of is when organizers say that their event is being held in two different countries. Major events are rarely held in two different countries, especially directly after each other. Also, events that have occurred in the past are likely more reputable than '1st annual' events.

As a last resort, please contact us! We are more than happy to assist you if you are not confident about an event after going through this list.