The recent launch of the Apple iPhone, made a change in the way scammers and thieves think and act. To protect us, ScamBusters.org, a public service website that has helped over 9 million people protect themselves from Internet scams since 1994, offers predictions about the Top 7 online and offline iPhone scams, as well as tips to avoid getting ripped off. iPhone viruses, Trojans and spyware, free iPhones, and fake iPhone websites and phishing scams: A Trojan was discovered over the weekend by Sunbelt Software Distribution Inc. According to ComputerWorld, "The Trojan horse, which has not yet been named by antivirus vendors, produces a pop-up when users on infected Windows PCs head to either Yahoo.com or Google.com. The pop-ups tout iPhone.com as 'the only place to buy iPhone,' and use the Apple logo and the actual price ($499) of the 4GB model to add weight to the offer."

A list of the Top 7 iPhone Scams is presented below:

1. eBay scams: There are already some eBay iPhone scams, even before the launch of the iPhone. Although eBay has done a good job of removing these iPhone listings during the pre-launch, it will be much more difficult to distinguish between real and bogus auctions after the iPhone starts shipping Friday.

2. Standing in line scams: There are many offers on Craig's List, eBay and other websites from people willing to spend the day standing in line to help others acquire an iPhone -- for a fee. Prices vary widely, and some of these offers are likely outright scams.

3. Scalper scams: Many people will buy iPhones in order to sell them at a higher price, online or offline. ScamBusters.org recommends against paying a premium, since it is possible to order online at the Apple store starting at 6:00 pm on Friday. Further, some scammers will likely take the iPhone out of the box, selling victims only the empty box.

4. Free iPhone scams: While a few of these offers will be legitimate, most are scams. Con artists offer hot items (like designer handbags, plasma TVs, and now the iPhone) as lures to get email addresses and detailed personal information. They make it almost impossible to actually complete all the requirements necessary to get an iPhone. So, at best, people waste time, and at worst, they lose money and/or have their identities stolen.

5. iPhone spam: There will be a flood of iPhone spam. Dealing with these scams is easy: NEVER respond to spam.

6. Fake iPhone websites and phishing scams: There will be fake iPhone websites and phishing iPhone scams, with many variants. However, the intentions of these scammers are all the same: to obtain personal and financial information in order to steal money and/or your identity.

7. Viruses, Trojans and spyware: Before long, there will be viruses, Trojans and spyware supposedly related to the iPhone. Don't be fooled.

    According to TechBlog.com, "the.iphone.from.apple at gmail.com actually sold for a whopping $112.50 on eBay," which they describe as "the worst iPhone email address ever." Secure Computing Corp. reported a spam email that tells potential victims they've won a free iPhone, and asks them to click on a link to claim their prize. The malicious destination site then looks for 10 ActiveX vulnerabilities in Windows and/or Internet Explorer, and if it finds any, attempts to get the victim to install rootkit software which allows the hackers to gain control of the victim's computer and turn the PC into a spam bot.

For more information visit http://www.scambusters.org/iphonescams.html.