Scams and Fraud - What to look for

Understand how to protect yourself on the web. A discussion of fraud, security, and virus.
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markcrobinson
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Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2001 7:00 pm
Location: Amherst, NH

Scams and Fraud - What to look for

Post by markcrobinson »

Most Animal Lovers are good people! They're honest, caring, and compassionate. Unfortunately, though, honest and trustworthy people are the easiest to scam.

Here are some tips about Security and Fraud.

Keep your dealings local whenever possible:
Buying or selling locally is generally safer than dealing with distant people. Countries often suspect are: common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere.

If a deal seem too godd to be true, it probably is.

Ask for local references. If the person you are dealing with is remote or overseas, ask for references of other businesses this person has dealt with that you can check.

NEVER give out personal financial information (checking account number, SSN, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
trust your instincts, and always remember that the most important rule -- caveat emptor -- BUYER BEWARE -- applies to any transaction where money is involved.

If you think you have been scammed, contact the non-emergency number for your local police department -- they may be able to offer advice about your options.


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Who should I notify about fraud?
FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov/)
If you suspect that an item posted may be part of a scam, please email the details to handicappedpets.com. Be sure to include the information we need, like the URL, so that we can find the message.


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Recognizing scams
Many involve one or more of the following:

Inquiry from someone far away, often in another country.
Proposed transaction includes a cashier's check, postal money order, Western Union, or escrow service (BidPay, Squaretrade, etc.)
Inability or refusal to meet face-to-face.



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Types of Scams
1. Someone claims that handicappedpets will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, OR claims that handicappedpets will handle or provide protection for a payment. We do NOT do this.

These claims are fraudulent, as handicappedpets does not have any role in any transaction.


2. Distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check
you receive an email (examples below) offering to buy an item, sight unseen. The buyer asks if you will accept a cashiers check in an amount greater than what you are asking for and give him 'change' when the check clears. He often has a plausible explaination for this. It sounds like no risk to you.
You get and deposit the check, call the back and you are told that the check has cleared. You send him his change and, a few days later the bank tells you that the check did not clear after all. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases... even though the bank told you it cleared!

3. Someone requests payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:
It is common to claim a confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE.

4. You are asked for personal information, like your bank account or social security number so that they can make out the check. This information is NOT needed for a Cashier's Check. If they are offering to wire money to your account, check with your bank for security precautions.

5. distant person suggests use of an online escrow service.
Most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers. For more info, do a google search on "fake escrow" or "escrow fraud" if you must do business with a distant seller, insist on a legitimate service, such as www.escrow.com

6. distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods. He says he trusts you with the partial payment he may say he has already shipped the goods.

Other Resources
http://scambusters.org/
US Postal Service http://www.usps.com/communications/news ... 1207pi.htm



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Examples of scam emails from Craigslist

Hello ,
Thanks for your mail back concerning the inquiry mail i sent to you. The price,condition also the pics i viewed is okay by me .And my client confirm there is no problem about the price($975 ) ,my client do pays with a {USA}cashier check,he has agreed to mail out as bank cashiers check of $3500. to you on my behalf to cover the shippment fees.About the shippment, that we be taken care by my me & my personal assistant,my personal assistant will be using his shipper to do the quick processing of the shipping of the(1987 Toyota Celica) to my client. So all you are to do after you will received the check in your mail, Just take out your sale amount and refer the remaining money to my shipper immediately through the westernunion or the money gramm outlet so to get the money fast and start the fast arrangement for the pickup of the (1987 Toyota Celica).Since you are the original owner of this item,and i am buying the item directly from you i will like you to write your full name to be on the check,with the mailing address which my client will be using
to issued out the check to you.I do wish to trust you by refering the rest balance back to my shipper and also your fast doing to this transaction.I will like to hear fromyou if this is okay by you and you are ready to process ,if you aready to sale your item and promise refering the rest balance to my shipper immediately you received the check so can start the quick arrangement for the pickup. Any body that want to buy this item this item just tell therm that it as been sold. I will like to copmplete this transaction befor the new year. I be at my computer waiting to see your epky to my payment method mailed.
THANKS AND MAIL ME BACK WITH YOUR DETAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

##########

Thanks for getting back to me,i will be purchasing the motorbike Like i said earlier i am based in the netherlands(holland).there won't be any probs about the shipment,after payment ,the pick up will be made at your place. i have made arrangements with the prepaid shipping company. As regards payment,this is what i am going to do;I have a client in ENGLAND who is owing me 5800POUNDS i would instruct him to make out a money order/certifiedcheck to you in that amount and as soon as it clears your bank. you can now deduct your money from it and send me my balance,i will using use part of the money to pay for the shipping and other expenses .you will then send my balance by via western union money transfer.Although the value of the check is more than the asking price but i think i should be able to trust you with my balance. The reason why i am doing this is that it would take a check sent from over here in HOLLAND 21days to clearover there,whereas a check sent from the US would clear tops within 48hrs. So i would like you to deduct the western union charges from my balance.So if my terms are acceptableto you,i would like you to give me your fullname,address and phone number so that i can instruct my client to make out the check to you. Pls get back to me as soon as you get this mail so that we can round things up in a timely fashion..i willbe trusting in this business transaction.

###########

Good day
i am an auto dealer based in TAIWAN,i am interested in buying your ( 1989 Jetta GL 4 door )I will like to know if you would accept acertified cashier check for the payment of the,i also need to know the price and your full name and address including your phone is also needed in which payment will be sent to . i have a shipping company who takes cares of my shippment .So don't bother about the shippment.I will also like to know if is still in good condition and shape.urgent response is needed for procedure of payment of the ( 1989 Jetta GL 4 door )
REGARD
#############

Thanks for your mail,Since the cost of your bike is $800 i just contacted my client about the cost of your bike and it present condition and he said here is no problem about that.So my client said he will be issuing you a Certified Check of $4000 while you wire 3000 to me through Western Union Money Trasfer and you deduct the cost of your bike $800 and keep the remaining $200 which my client said you should take for the terms of Transaction and Agreement between you and my client.So i will like you to send me your full contact information to where my client will be sending you the Certified Check like this:
> name.........
> full address.............
> city...............
> state.............
> country..........
> zipcode............
> cell/office/home phone number.......................
I will look forward to the requested information as soon as possible so that the check can be sent out to you immediately And do get back to me with the Pics of the bike so tha! t my client will be Able to see What he is paying off.Get back to me immediately. Looking torwards your respond,
> Best Regards.

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Good day
i am an auto dealer based in TAIWAN,i am interested in buying your ( Comic book collection - 500 comics )I will like to know if you would accept acertified cashier check for the payment of the,i also need to knowthe price and your full name and address including your phone is alsoneeded in which payment will be sent to . i have a shipping company who takes cares of my shippment .So don't bother about the shippment.I will also like to know if is still in good condition and shape.urgent response is needed for procedure of payment of the ( Comic book collection - 500 comics )
REGARD
Mark C Robinson
HandicappedPets.com
For Elderly, Disabled, and Injured Pets; products, services, and support.
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