Trump trumps mortgage terms
By MortgageDaily.com staff
12/29/2005

America Online Inc. has analyzed hundreds of billions of spam messages, and among the top ten phrases was one about mortgage application status.

In its third annual Top 10 Spam List, AOL identified the biggest global spam subject lines.

The list was topped by, "Donald Trump Wants You," according to an announcement Wednesday. AOL said the Trump subject line, which relies on popular recognition, is among "sophisticated methods spammers are using to prey on email users this year."

A more popular style of subject lines was special order, according to the statement. Top 10 subject lines in this category were "Get an Apple iPod Nano, PS3 or Xbox 360 for Free" (No. 4); "Thank you for your business. Shipment notification (77FD87)" (No. 7); and "Thank you: Your $199 Rolex Special Included" (No. 9).

The only mortgage-related scam to make the Top 10 list was, "(IMPORTANT) Your Mortgage Application is Ready," the Dulles, Va.-based Internet giant reported. The phrase was No. 8 on AOL's list.

AOL said "attempts to trick the consumer by pretending to be from a friend, or part of a legitimate, customer-driven transaction" have replaced generic pitches for products.

"While the volume of spam reaching AOL email inboxes has remained at low levels compared to its height in late 2003, the spam that's out there is more insidious, crafty, devious, and dangerous than ever," AOL Postmaster Charles Stiles said in the statement.

"They are going after Mainstreet USA with 'back alley' tactics, and they are doing it with a specialized team that's working overtime to hide the source of their spam by employing zombie PCs, bot-nets and using other nefarious tactics," Stiles added. "Spam gangs on the Internet engaging in 'hit-and-run' spam attacks in 2004 have turned into a tightly-knit, controlled, web-based spam Mafia coordinating sustained attacks on netizens in 2005."

AOL suggests not responding to spam, keeping spam filters up-to-date and reporting suspicious messages.

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