Free Shopper Ads

[fsadmin]

Recognizing scams

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

1. inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, Ebay's Safe Purchase Program (Does not exist) or a "guarantee"
inability or refusal to meet face-to-face


Examples of Scams

1. distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check
you receive an email (examples below) offering to buy your vehicle sight unseen.
cashier's check is offered for your vehicle.
value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - scammer offers to "trust" you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)