I started this post several months ago. Somehow it got pushed to the side as most things do when summer finally hits and there’s stuff to do around the yard.  Well with time aside, here it is folks.

After reading through our Cody Enterprise I couldn’t help but notice the amazing amount of police reports involving fraud, scams and UIP’s complaints  (Uninformed Innocent People) .

How times change. When I moved to Cody in the 90′s from the east coast I couldn’t help but be amazed at the lack of crime in this small western town. I was genuinely pleased that I would be raising my child in a simple quiet little town that you only read about in fiction novels. Dog at large was the most common complaint followed by a few bar fights, bears in my yard or horses wondering the roads.

When I read the crime section now I notice how the crimes are related to our growing technology. There are always the ‘oldies’ crimes such as check fraud, simple assault, traffic stops, and stray animals. But now we see: Nude pictures on my iPhone, eBay item not as described, unknown person texting me, and computer crimes such as vehicle for sale scams.

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I thought this would be something I could write about and maybe offer some information as I have sold on eBay and work with fraud and scams in one way or another nearly everyday.

Fraud and Scams:

The Vehicle For Sale Cheap Scam Several months ago, well maybe a year or so ago a friend had called to tell me that she found the perfect truck on the Internet and wanted me to look at it. She forwarded the email and pictures to me. After reading the email several red flags went up. So I did alittle investigating and after checking things out a little more I reluctantly had to break her bubble and tell her that this was a scam. 

Here’s what happened:

I emailed the buyer pretending I had seen this vehicle advertised and was interested in purchasing the truck – sight unseen.  

Of course the rat emailed me back immediately with the SAME email.

I would like to thank you for your interest in buying my car and also to clearly some things first of all. I am located in Wheaton, IL and i would like to know from the begining if you are really interested in purchase, so i can stop negotiating with potential buyers. My final price is $10,800 with shipping/handling includedend and it is not negotiable because the car is perfect condition. I decided to sell the car at this price because i need the money urgently. You will pay ebay the required amount, as I had the car listed on their site for a while and they provide the most reliable and secure services in which concerns the on line sales. ebay will secure it untill you get the car. You will be given a 5 days inspection period during so you can make sure that it is the car that you saw in the pictures.The final decision to buy or not the car will be after the 5 days with the car at your home. If you find the car unsatisfactory at the end of the 5 days inspection period, you have the option to return it to me at my expense and get a refund from ebay in 24 hours after they are notified about your decision. If you are satisfied with it, you will confirm that to ebay so that they can unblock the funds and send it to me and the transaction will be completed. So if you agree with what i stated above and you have the funds, i am ready to explain to you all the details regarding the payment method, the shipping process and the paperwork. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Here is just one of the pictures of the vehicle. There were maybe 8 in all of the interior ect… The vehicle appeared brand new.

So have you spotted any red flags in the email above? After reading the email the first thing that jumped out at me is that the vehicle is a truck NOT a car. Anyone living in the USA KNOWS that any proud truck owner would NEVER refer to their truck as a car, it is a truck, Pick Up, beast of burden or dirt slaying devil. Not a car.

Red Flag #2= You will pay eBay the required amount

 eBay does NOT hold or secure funds for vehicles. You pay through PayPal not eBay.

Red Flag #3…if you are not satisfied…… get a refund from eBay in 24 hours

Once again eBay does not hold or refund money to guarantee delivery. eBay is only a platform for sellers and buyers and is never involved in the money exchange. eBay is Great for handling interactions between buyers and sellers but eBay does NOT hold funds.

Red Flag #4 “I need the money urgently… and later on in the same email… If you find the car unsatisfactory return it to me at my expense and get a refund from eBay in 24 hours. — This is to make you feel secure with the transaction. Even if it was real, if the money was urgently needed, how can he guarantee that he could cover the expense of the return?

And of course eBay has never held money for transactions as this is all handled through PayPal or the lister’s credit card company. (Also when finding a listing on Craigslist, (which this particular one was not) eBay will NOT be involved.)

When I emailed the scamer back and told him that I needed his phone number and a copy of the title. I never heard from him again. A lot of these scams originate from overseas and when asked for personal information FROM THEM, like the phone number they will either give you some lame excuse or they will be gone.

Generally the scammer will try to sell you from a fake website or directly from eBay or Craigslist. Once you are interested they will lure you away from the Internet sites and keep in contact with you with email. Since I lost contact with the scammer I would imagine the transaction would go something like this. Either he would send me  to a fake eBay site or send me Western Union, Money Gram, or wiring instructions. Once you send money thru a wire, Western Union or some other service there is no way you can get those funds back.

After doing a little research online I found this site. Really good information on there if you are ever caught up in a eBay Craigslist car scam:

http://www.simplysoldstore.com/wordpress/index.php/2009/04/19/the-craigslist-ebay-car-scam/comment-page-5/

eBay item not as described: Contact eBay first not the local police department. eBay has a very good service department and offers you many ways to take steps with returns or disputes with the eBay resolution department. http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/item-not-received.html

Check in the mail scam is when you receive a check in the mail stating that you where picked to join a survey group or that you have inherited a wad of money. You are then instructed to deposit the check into your bank account and wire back a specific amount of money to cover costs or for what ever reason. This is an OLD scam. It could involve a check out of the blue or some sort of predetermined sale or service.  If you are unsure of a check take it to you bank and explain how you received it. Banks are VERY good at keeping up and recognizing fraud checks. If somehow you do deposit the check YOU ARE responsible for the funds once the check comes back marked as fraud.

Basic Phone Scams: Someone calls you stating they are from the US government, your bank or the local court house. The Court House Scam is when they state that you have missed jury duty and will be thrown in jail. It catches you off guard. You tell them that you where never notified and that there was some mistake. The scammer says that she/he will check but you need to give him/her you social security number. Yeah right.

The Bank Scam is when someone says they are calling from your bank and need to clear something up in your account. They then ask you to verify your account information… Hey you called ME. Hang up and call your bank to verify.

The Police Charity Fund Scam is when you receive a phone call from the Police Charity Fund. They want you to donate using your credit card or by sending cash. Hang up. Some phony charities try to gain your trust by using names that sound or look like legitimate organizations.

Debit Credit Card: A few months last winter I think everyone in town got a few recorded calls stating that their credit or debit card had been compromised. I believe it was ‘some very important information concerning the status of your card’ or that it had been block or some nonsense. Then: Please press 2 to continue. I was never home when the calls came through but here’s what happens… Someone worried about the security of their card will give the caller the card number and / or other personal information that the scammer needs to ‘verify’ your identity. If you should get a call like this and the caller wants to “verify” any personal information with you think to yourself, Shouldn’t they already HAVE this information? The best thing to do in this case is hand up and call your bank or credit card provider. Look up the number yourself don’t call a number given to you by the caller.

Rule of thumb:If you receive a phone call stating that they are from what ever … bank, police, court house, credit card company ect…  wanting your credit card number, social security number or bank account information… ask your self this: Shouldn’t they Already HAVE this information? If it is not someone you know personally hang up and call the bank or company to verify. Here’s an example: You receive a phone call from the DMV saying there was a mix up and they need to verify your drivers license number.

Nude pictures on my Cell Phone: Block the number. It could be one of several scenarios. A pissed off girlfriend / boyfriend. A phone ‘bot’ that has gotten you number out of a data base and is trying to lure you into giving up your credit card number by paying for more pictures. You can also phone your cell service provider and report them. The same goes for ‘unknown person texting me’

eMail Scams: I really hope I don’t have to warn you against the email scams. I am a widow in Nigeria. I have tons of money in a bank account but no way to access the account. Send me money… I am a businessman in Zimbabwe I have tons of money to give you if you could help me out with some funds I cannot access…. Urgent Message For You– Your far off relative Sir Roger Van Hukenwink from BumFu**NoWhere has passed away. Urgent send me your personal information so I can wire you his mass millions….

A Special Word about social security numbers and banking information: Obviously your employer will need your SSN for wage and tax reporting. Many agencies and services are now offering the ability for you to have your payment taken directly from your checking account in the form of EFT’s. If you are late on a payment some services also offer “check by phone” services.

Before giving this out ask:

• WHY do you need my SS number / banking information?
• How will you use my SSN / banking info?
• How will you protect my SSN / bank info from being stolen?
• What will happen if I don’t give you the information?

Make sure the business / service is legit. Make sure you know who these people are and how this information will be used.

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