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Watch Out For Schemes Involving Steve Jobs' Death

PITTSBURGH,None — Watch out for schemes involving the death of Steve Jobs. While the world is mourning the passing of Apple's longtime CEO, schemers are ready to take advantage of the bad news.

Within hours of Jobs' death, schemers started taking advantage of Facebook users. They enticed them with the promise of free iPads that never materialized.

The scheme posted on Facebook went like this, "In memory of Steve, a company is giving out 50 iPads tonight. R.I.P. Steve Jobs." It was followed by a link that led users to a page of online surveys.

Within an hour, 15,000 people had clicked on the link. Shortly after that, Facebook shut the page down, but by then, many users had given out personal information that could be used by criminals.

Another pitch promises a to give away thousand iPads by Oct. 10. The Better Business Bureau warns this is just the beginning of schemes that will try to make money off of Job's death.

“Consumers really need to think before they click. Apple is not giving away free iPads because of Steve Jobs’ death,” said Becky Maier, public relations director for the Greater Pittsburgh Better Business Bureau.

In some cases, Maier said, the goal is to drive traffic to certain websites, while in others the schemers are trying to spread malware that will give them access to personal information on your computer.She stressed, if the offer sounds too good to be true, don't click on it.