| Unfortunately, popular online classifieds websites | | | | necessary financial transactions. Many victims are |
| has become a launchpad for criminal activity. | | | | foolish enough to provide account numbers or |
| Everything from online affinity or advance fee | | | | other personal identifying information. Second, the |
| scams to baby killers have hampered the | | | | scammer is setting up an affinity, or advance fee |
| mediums reputation. | | | | scam. In such a con, the scammer mails you a |
| For example, scammers copy online classifieds | | | | check. You deposit this check in your bank |
| verbatim, except for the contact information, | | | | account, and it temporarily clears. In that limited |
| which they replace with their own, and the price, | | | | window of time, the scammer will request that |
| which they reduced by half. The scammer, then | | | | you return some or all of the money. He may |
| claims to be the property owner, informs | | | | claim to have changed his mind about renting or |
| potential renters that he is in Austria, and instructs | | | | buying from you, or that he accidentally made the |
| them to drive by the apartment, and to send him | | | | original check out for more than the agreed upon |
| a deposit check if they liked the look of the place. | | | | sum. So you wire the money back. Within a day |
| Here is an example of what a scam email looks | | | | or two, the bank calls to let you know that the |
| like: | | | | original check was counterfeit. So you've lost the |
| Subject: RENTAL INQUIRY!!hope to hear from | | | | money you wired to the scammer. |
| you soon | | | | How can you protect yourself from scams like |
| Hello, | | | | this, or other scams that take advantage of |
| Let me know if the room/apt you advertise | | | | online classified ads? Use common sense, be |
| online is still available and let me know if you can | | | | smart, and pay attention. If you do that, you |
| accept certified cashier check as mode of | | | | won't fall for these types of cons. |
| payment..And the last price for the space. | | | | When we were young, our parents told us not to |
| I'm presently in Belgium.I will be coming | | | | talk to strangers. Strangers are not yet part of |
| immediately the place is vacant for me to move | | | | our trusted circle. So don't trust them! There's no |
| in.But the issue is that because of the distance i | | | | benefit to paranoia, but being a little guarded can |
| wont be able to come to see the place.Meanwhile | | | | prevent you from stumbling into a vulnerable |
| let me tell you a ill about myself..I don't smoke | | | | situation. Since predators use online classifieds to |
| and I don't have boyfriend.Am Sarah Smith and | | | | lure unsuspecting victims, you should find out as |
| my nick name is SERA and am 26years old i lost | | | | much as possible about strangers who contact |
| my dad some years back when i was young so | | | | you. Use Google or to investigate names and |
| my mom had to remarry so she married to Mr | | | | email addresses. |
| Scott Michael who is my step dad now..He has | | | | Whenever possible, deal locally. People who cannot |
| been the one who has been taking care of me all | | | | meet you in your town are more likely to be |
| this while i believe he is a God sent to me cux i | | | | scammers. And even when you do meet in |
| have never regretted moment with him..Things i | | | | person, you should be wary. |
| like are as follows reading,swimming and chatting | | | | Never engage in online transactions involving credit |
| with people around me and also make them | | | | cards, cashier's checks, money orders, personal |
| happy..I have always been thinking of how i will | | | | checks, or cash, that require you to send money |
| affect peoples life positively by making donations | | | | to a stranger in response to money they have |
| to the less privileges cus when i looked at my | | | | sent you. This is an advance fee scam. |
| pass when i lost my dad from the story my | | | | Be smart. Don't disclose your financial information, |
| mom told me..I noticed it is not easy for people | | | | including account or Social Security numbers, for |
| that as no parent.Well i hope when we meet in | | | | any reason. Scammers will say anything in order |
| person you will know more about me..Meanwhile | | | | to get this information. |
| my step dad will need the followings to make | | | | Prevent check fraud. When sending checks in the |
| payment to you ASAP.. | | | | mail, you want to prevent "check washing," which |
| 1. Your name and surname. | | | | occurs when they recipient alters the name of |
| 2. Address in full with the zip code.. | | | | the payee and increases the dollar amount, |
| 3. I will need your phone number | | | | draining your checking account. Something as |
| I wait to have this information from you so that | | | | simple and inexpensive as a select uni-ball pen can |
| my step dad can make payment for the rental | | | | help. These pens contain specially formulated gel |
| fee and security deposit in advance ... I Await to | | | | ink that is absorbed into the paper's fibers and |
| hear from you.... | | | | can never be washed out. |
| Hope to hear from you pretty soon. | | | | Secure your PC. Make sure your PC is protected |
| Thanks, SARAH | | | | with anti-virus software and all your critical |
| It's easy to dissect this scam. The person who | | | | security patches in your operating system are up |
| sent this email has two goals. First, the scammer | | | | to date. |
| wants to build a relationship with his or her mark. | | | | Protect your identity. You can't prevent all forms |
| He or she provides a (horribly written) story in an | | | | of identity theft. However you can significantly |
| attempt to establish trust. The victim is then | | | | reduce your risk by making a small investment in |
| more likely to fall for the scam, following the | | | | your personal security by investing in Identity |
| scammer's instructions and conducting the | | | | Protection. |