Common Scams

There are many people out there who want to steal your money. Unfortunately, some of them may use our Classifieds. While most users are good, and honest, a few are not. Some scenarios that should raise a red flag:

• Make unrealistic promises or offers to buy
• Have complicated instructions for the seller regarding shipping, check cashing, transfer of money, etc.

Below is an example email you may receive from a scam artist. The concept of this scam is simple, you are being sent a STOLEN check. You cash it, send the balance to the PO Box of the buyer. When this is found out by the company whose check the scam artist stole, YOU are responsible for paying back the balance.

"We are interested in buying your above mentioned (10" F/7.5 truss Dobsonian with Swayze mirror) at advertised rate of $1,995. Goods to be picked up from your location for onward shipping to London. Cost and modaliti s of shipping to be born by us. Payment for the purchase is by check through a debtor in US. The debtor owes us higher than our purchase. He will therefore be sending you a check for $7,000 to cover the cost of our order, as well as the Shipping costs. On receipt of the check, you will cash and deduct the cost of our order .The balance you will send as we would instruct you to the Agency that will ship the Goods to us. If this arrangement suites you fine, please send us your address where to send the check, as well as the name to be on it. Also send us your phone number for easy communication."

To view the most recent scams and warnings issued by the FBI, go to http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm.

To file a complaint, visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov/.