At Scambook we take pride in helping consumers get justice for what scammers have done to them. Therefore, a little prevention for this up coming year seems fit. We’re only in February, but it is never too early to be aware of what these scammers have in store of this year. The Better Business Bureau released what the top ten scams of 2011 were. However just because we’re in the New Year does not mean we should not keep an eye out for these previous thieves. They always have a new trick up their sleeve and we need to be ready. With technology growing at a rapid speed year after year, trying to stay on top of what scams are “in” that are going around will make them much harder to avoid.
Therefore, lets consider the following scams:
1. The Lottery Scam – Congratulations you’ve won! I don’t think so. Just a bit of research will confirm how ridiculous these sweepstakes offers really are.
2. The Job Post Scam – If it sounds too good to be true, then mostly like it is. Avoid all posts that say, “work from home” or “secret shopper, detective shopper”.
3. Home Improvement Scam – These are becoming way too common now. These alleged ‘contractors’ are taking advantage of people who are in desperate situations, for example victims of natural disasters.
4. Social Media Friend Request Scam – Many people are requesting to be your friend on Facebook? Do not accept anyone you do not know. Lets make sure to not disclose any personal information on our profiles.
5. The Check Cashing Scam – This is the most common scam of all. Example: You are selling an item on an auction or classifieds site, and the buyer emails you saying they will send a check in your name with a higher dollar amount than what your item costs. They only require that you wire back through western union the remainder and you keep a fee, usually around 20%. Sounds great right? No! Remember checks can take about 3-4 days to clear. You do not want to owe the bank thousands of dollars. The federal authorities cannot do anything about it. As, that person is long gone.
And, as always, check with Scambook.com first to see if other consumers have posted similar complaints.
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Thanks Scambook! I really identified with this blog.
Hi over the last week I have started getting these wierd emails. !st one: HSI -JennyThompson HSIe-Alert-Topical Botox. It says to buy 3 Jars of this Topical Votox because they only have 564 jars. 2nd one:Mr.L Re: NEXT OF KIN /Beneficiary for US5.5 Million Dollars. He says He says he found my email through searching the internet. He is a former staff of the leading banks in London. Also a member of American Bankers Association. He goes on to say that $5.500.000 was deposited since 2000 in a safe place in Europe which he will make to me after he hears from me. The Beneficiary( Mr Robert John)died in 2004 in the South East Asia Tsunami with his family while on holiday. He then says that there are no Next of Kin. He wants me to Stand as Next of Kin and then we would share the money 60-40. Generous hey. He asks for my complete name, address,phone & fax numbers. date of birth, occupation & marital status. He asks me not to tell anyone & that this is a secret. His email address: [email protected] I hope he has not been able to suck anybody in. Warm Regards Maureen Rouse.
The next one is:From Kenneth Gram,SWISS LOTTO LONDON UK.
82 VICTORIA STREET VICTORIA LONDON SW1 UK. CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU HAVE WON ?750.000 POUNDS IN THE SWISS-LOTTO. Satellite lottery. apparently my email was picked from within the UK Booklet rep. Again I am being asked to keep this secret until I notify them of what I want to do with the winnings. Again asked for all details of: Name address, marital status, Age, Nationality. Country of Residence. Occupation and telephone Number. Email: [email protected] I have written this exactly how it was sent to me. Hope you find this person before he scams someone. I have not contacted either. warm regards Maureen Rouse Melbourne Australia.
Hi just got something else: Google Corporation Manchester c2012. REf No: GUK/MNCH-2012-0147/GB
Dear Google award Winner: this came with an attachment which I am to scared to open in case its a virus. Warm regards. Maureen Rouse. Melbourne Australia.
Am having real problems with your complaint form as not accepting dates have you a defect on this as I have 4 companies to identify as scammers .
Companies involved
1. Serum Perfect Radiance
2. Radiant Skin Care
3. Rejuvanew eye
4. Anti Rides Serum
Is this an international scam group
i have a car warranity with zing auto coverage and cant get
in touch with them it’s a scam
PURE SCAMMMMM!!!!! THEY WILL GIVE YOU A ORDER NUMBER AND EVERYTHING SEEMS VERY LEGIT, HOWEVER WHEN YOU WESTERN UNION THE MONEY TO THEM , THEY WILL TAKE IT AND YOU WILL NEVER HEQAR FROM THEM EVER AGAIN!!! 100% SCAM!!!
I’m getting alot of sweepstakes letters that have the same p.o. box address of 527800, Miami, FL 33152-7800 with so many different companies names on it .I think these are all scams. How can so many companies have the same p.o. box address? Why haven’t the Post Office shut this down by now.
I deal with fraud on a daily basis at my job … Never Never Never cash a check and withdraw the funds immediately then send the money via Western Union/Money Gram … No matter how much they tell you to keep … the check will bounce in 3-4 business days and you will owe the bank the money you withdrew … even though you had no idea the check was bad their outlook on it is that you did not give the time for the check to clear … and like the article says “if it is true good to be true IT IS”
I was contacted by email from overseas hen I has my Mobile Home advertised for sale. This guy wanted to know how much I would sell it for under asking price. I emailed back the amount which he accepted on behalf of a client of his in Malaysia that wanted to buy one and arrange for it to be shipped to Malaysia. After many emails and two phone calls from USA I eventually was sent a cheque for over $60,000 which he said included his brokerage and shipping costs. The first bank cheque drawn on an obscure US bank owned by Wells Fargo was banked as an urgent clearance and bounced. A second bank cheque drawn on an Australian bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia Melbourne was accepted as deposit by my bank but bounced next day because it was a very clever forgery. Now you know why our banks won’t give immediate clearance anymore on Bank Cheques! Needless to say I soon received the email “sting” asking for his share to be electronically remitted via Western Union to an overseas bank account in a further fabricated name. His email address was changed twice during the dealings. Fortunately I wasn’t born yesterday! Thought about going to the Police but realised nothing would be achieved as the “scammers” would have disappeared on to new email sites and physical addresses. Never release your goods until the cheque (check) clears!
Needless to say I soon received the email “sting” asking for his share to be electronically remitted via Western Union to an overseas bank account in a further fabricated name. His email address was changed twice during the dealings. Fortunately I wasn’t born yesterday! Thought about going to the Police but realised nothing would be achieved as the “scammers” would have disappeared on to new email sites and physical addresses. Never release your goods until the cheque (check) clears!
Since a great many of us are skilled tades please look out for a scam that I was involved in. A compay called Trade Workers Online will contact people or companys place adds on Craiglist,Backroom and so on, claiming to work with banks in your area that need help getting bank owned properties fixed and ready for sale. The ploy is the only thing you pay for is a back ground check to ensure your not a felon and the lead service is free. They claim they have a six month back log of work from the banks.
This company claims to based in Houston TX. and even gave a address that is legitamate. I had a friend in Houston check it out for me while I was on the phone with him and the company at this address claims no affiliation, but is well aware of the problem and receives phone complaints several times a day. So skilled trades take warning of Trade Workers Online.