Patriot Act Used In Scam

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A phishing scam that has duped scores of email recipients is using the controversial U.S. Patriot Act as part of its disguise.

According to reports, the scammer uses the Patriot Act, a sizable set of anti-terrorism laws and provisions pushed through Congress immediately after 9/11, to frighten people into surrendering their personal identification information.

The scam email appears to be extremely legitimate, many industry analysts are saying, and does not contain the usual amount of typos and poorly worded sentences that many of its predecessors have.

Disguised as a notice from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the fraudulent email informs the recipient that Tom Ridge, security director for the Department of Homeland Security, has advised the FDIC to suspend all deposit insurance on the recipient's bank account due to suspected violations of the Patriot Act.

The user is then advised to click through to a fake website that looks uncannily like an official FDIC web page and enter personal identification information such as bank account and social security numbers.

The scam is just another example of "phishing," an increasingly popular form of identity theft that hijacks a legitimate business' name and physical likeness for purposes of fraud.

"FDIC Consumer Call Centers in Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington, D.C., began receiving a large number of complaints by consumers who received an email that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC," the FDIC said in a statement. "This email was not sent by the FDIC and is a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal information from consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should not access the link provided within the body of the email and should not under any circumstances provide any personal information through this media."

According to authorities, the scam first originated in Pakistan, but it is now being generated from computers in Taiwan and China. The FDIC is reporting that the stolen data is being funneled through an Internet address in Russia. The first version of the scam has been shut down, but the scammer has since changed over to a different set of bogus websites and has so far managed to elude capture.

The FDIC has already received hundreds of complaints from victims of the scam, and an FBI investigation is currently underway.

The Patriot Act took a second slam Monday when U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins declared that a section of the Act was unconstitutional because it bars giving expert advice or assistance to groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations.

The judge ruled that the ban is "impermissibly vague in its wording."

Today's ruling is the first federal court decision that has declared any section of the U.S. Patriot Act unconstitutional.

According to reports, the case originates from a complaint filed on behalf of five groups and two U.S. citizens who were seeking to provide support for Kurdish refugees in Turkey.

The plaintiffs were threatened with 15 years in prison if they advised groups on seeking a peaceful resolution of the Kurds' campaign in Turkey. But the judge declared the provision in the Patriot Act that bars giving expert advice or assistance to groups designated foreign terrorist organizations unconstitutional.

"The U.S. Patriot Act places no limitation on the type of expert advice and assistance which is prohibited and instead bans the provision of all expert advice and assistance regardless of its nature," the judge was quoted as saying.

The U.S. Justice Department is currently reviewing today's ruling.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More