![]() ![]() You should attempt to pay for the item using a credit card, but only through a trusted third-party escrow service or a trusted online payment system (to know more about the benefits of m-commerce, you could read up on the 20 mobile e-commerce statistics here). The seller insists that the only form of payment that’s acceptable is a wire transfer. Online Purchase Scams: You buy something online, for example via an online auction or a classified ad website. If you wire money, it will be lost forever and the person you thought you knew so well will be lost with it. He may even promise to pay the money back. ![]() Regardless of the reason, the scammer will create a sense of urgency and at the same time profess his love for you. The scammer will ask you to wire money because, for example, he needs money for a passport or airline tickets, or he needs to pay a bribe in order to leave the country, or he needs money for a family member’s urgent medical treatment, or he needs money to pay his cell phone bill in order to keep talking with you, or he needs money to temporarily “hold him over” until he gets paid or receives an inheritance. Once you’re on the hook, however, the scammer will invent a reason to request money. The point: To draw you in and take advantage of your dream of finding true love. He’ll send you poems and love letters, and even bring up the subject of marriage. Within a matter of days, the scammer will profess his love for you. You exchange e-mail messages, and perhaps even talk on the phone or trade pictures. Romance Scams: You meet someone online, usually on a dating or social networking website. Even if it’s a trusted company it’s still wise to make sure you don’t wire money for any reason such as renters insurance as another example. The potential renter may send you a check to cover the security deposit and first month’s rent, and before you discover that the check is a counterfeit, the renter cancels the lease and asks you to wire the money back. Or, the scam could be reversed and pulled on a landlord. Or, the listing is just made up for a place that isn’t for rent or doesn’t exist. The problem: The scam artist hijacked the rental listing and changed the contact information and listed the altered ad on another website. You’re asked to wire money for an application fee, security deposit or first month’s rent. Rental Scams: You come across a great deal on a home or vacation rental. If you’ve already wired money to the buyer, in all likelihood, your bank will hold you accountable for that money. The problem: It may take a few days to route the check to the issuing bank, but when it arrives, they will promptly notify you that the check is a counterfeit. When you deposit the check at your bank, everything seems fine. You’re asked to wire back the difference. The buyer (or a third person) comes up with a reason to write the check for more than the purchase price. Overpayment Scams: Someone sends you a cashier’s check or personal check to pay for something that you’ve listed for sale. Don’t be tempted to resort to doing this to others to make money, there are plenty of other ways you can afford what you want, for example, car leasing, and there are even choices for business owners. Check the story out with other friends or family members, or reply to the e-mail asking for information that a stranger couldn’t possibly answer. The problem: Your friend or relative’s e-mail account has been hacked and the e-mail was sent by the hacker. Stranded Traveler Scams: You receive an e-mail from a friend or relative who claims to be stranded in another state or country, perhaps because his wallet was stolen or because he’s been arrested. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |