彭蒙惠英语：E-mail Users, Beware!（在线收听）

E-mail Users, Beware!

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3. The Fake Free Trial. The message alerts you that you’re being offered 30 or 60 days’ worth of free “Internet security service.” All you need to do is sign up—with your computer account codes and passwords. Protection: Never sign up for anything requiring you to pass confidential computer information along, unless you are certain you’re dealing with a vendor you know.

4. The Phony Prize. “Congratulations,” blares the e-mail headline. “You have been awarded a free trip to Florida in our recent sweepstakes . . .” One hitch: To claim your prize, you must pass along your checking account number, credit card number and expiration date, or send a “modest” cash deposit. Protection: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid the promise of big winnings.

5. The Work-at-Home Ruse. The message may go something like this: “You may be a candidate for high earnings ... from your very own living room. Read on for no-risk information about this limited-time offer.” Work-at-home schemes have been around for a half-century. Protection: Don’t send money. If you encounter a genuine work-at-home opportunity, the sender will almost certainly provide you with detailed information or a prospectus—at no charge and without provision of private credit card information.

6. The Approval Racket. The subject line is intriguing: “Approval Notice” or “Loan Application Pre-Approved,” for example. The message advises you that you have been pre-approved for a personal loan, mortgage or line of credit. All you need to do is complete an application with personal information (including various bank and credit account numbers). Protection: Don’t give out personal information over the Internet, unless you are 100% certain of the sender’s identity.

Vocabulary Focus

blare (v) [blZE] to state loudly or in a showy way; to make an unpleasantly loud noise

hitch (n) [hitF] a temporary difficulty that causes a short delay

modest (adj) [5mCdist] not large in size or amount, or not expensive

Specialized Terms

sweepstakes (n pl) 抽奖 a type of gambling or lottery in which many people pay a small amount of money to participate and only a few winners receive all the money

prospectus (n) 说明书 a document giving details of a college, school or business and its activities

mortgage (n) 抵押贷款（如房贷）an agreement that allows one to borrow money from a bank or similar organization, especially in order to buy a house or apartment, or the amount of money itself