As more people use the internet to find the best deals to buy merchandise, they have also unfortunately fallen prey to internet predators. These predators use classified ad websites to lure potential buyers/sellers to locations
. Once they
arrive
, victims are robbed of their money
or merchandise. These predators also use
other internet scams to take your money
or identity.
Here are safety tips to prevent you from
falling victim to these internet predators:
SCAM AND FRAUD PREVENTION
:
Deal locally; Avoid long distance
or overseas transactions.
Never wire funds via money
transfer services/money wire
services
- anyone who asks you
to do so is a scammer.
Never send money to a P.O. Box
address
Beware of Counterfeit cashier
checks & money orders
.
Banks
will cash them and then hold you
responsible when the fraud is
discovered weeks later.
Never give out financial
information (bank account
number, social security number,
credit card number, etc.).
Avoid deals involving shipping
or escrow services and know that
only a scammer will
"guarantee" your transaction.
Counterfeit (knockoffs) & stolen
merchandise are commonly sold
via the internet.
INTERNET CRIME SCHEMES
Internet crime schemes that steal
millions of dollars each year from
victims continue to plague the Internet.
The following is a listing of some of
these schemes. For more information
logon to www.ic3.gov & click on the link
Internet Crime Schemes for a detailed
explanation of each scheme.
Counterfeit Cashier's Check
Credit Card Fraud
Debt Elimination
DHL/UPS
Employment/Business
Opportunities
Escrow Services Fraud
Identity Theft
Internet Extortion
Investment Fraud
Lotteries
Nigerian Letter or "419"
Phishing/Spoofing
Ponzi/Pyramid
Reshipping
Spam
Third Party Receiver of Funds
ROBBERY PREVENTION
:
Avoid personal meetings for
money/merchandise exchanges
.
If meeting in person is absolutely
necessary…
Avoid locations that you are
unfamiliar with.
Agree to meet in a public place
with heavy pedestrian traffic
flow.
Avoid going alone.
Tell someone where you’re going
and when you should be back.
Once at the location, survey the
area before you meet. If things
don’t “look or feel” right then
leave. Trust your instincts!
Once at the location don’t agree
to go to another location, it
could be a setup.
Remember, if it looks to
o good to
be true it probably is!!!
Don’t become a victim!!!