Police: Beware of Internet Scams

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is warning citizens about the dangers of Internet fraud cases and has issued an advisory on how to avoid being scammed. Police say they’re receiving an increasing number of fraud cases in which citizens are being defrauded of sums of money due to Craigslist scams on the Internet. Most scams involve one or more of the following:

1) Inquiry from someone far away, often in another country.
2) Western Union, Money Gram, cashier’s check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a “guarantee”.
3) Inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consummating transaction.

The suspects tend to target the elderly and victims looking for an easy way to make money.

Examples of Scams as Outlined by the Police Department

1. Someone claims that Craigslist will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, OR claims that Craigslist will handle or provide protection for a payment.

* These claims are fraudulent, as Craigslist does not have any role in any transaction.
* Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from craigslist, offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, providing payment services — all such emails are fakes!

2. Distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier’s check

* You receive an email (examples below) offering to buy your item, or rent your apartment, sight unseen.
* Cashier’s check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for an apartment, or for your services.
* Value of cashier’s check often far exceeds your item – scammer offers to “trust” you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
* Banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
* Scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)

3. Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:

* Scam “bait” items include apartments, laptops, TVs, cell phones, tickets, and other high value items
* The scammer will often claim that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money – this is FALSE, once you’ve wired money, it is GONE.
* Common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Spain, Italy, Netherlands – but could be anywhere
* Apartment listing may be local, but landlord/owner is “traveling” or “relocating” and needs you to wire money to them abroad
* Deal often seems too good to be true, price is too low, rent is below market, etc.

4. Distant person offers to send you a money order and then have you wire money:

* This is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience – the cashier’s check is FAKE
* Sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not
* Scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check
* Deal often seems too good to be true

5. distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service.

* Most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers
* For more info, do a google search on “fake escrow” – http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=fake+escrow or “escrow fraud” – <http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=escrow+fraud 6. Distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods * He says he trusts you with the partial payment * He may say he has already shipped the goods Please follow these helpful tips on how not to become a victim of internet fraud: * DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts. * ******NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM ****** or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is likely a scammer. * FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later. * CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification" * NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.) * AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION. * DO NOT RENT HOUSING WITHOUT SEEING THE INTERIOR, OR PURCHASE EXPENSIVE ITEMS SIGHT-UNSEEN - in all likelihood that housing unit is not actually for rent and that cheap item does not exist. * DO NOT SUBMIT TO CREDIT CHECKS OR BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR A JOB OR FOR HOUSING UNTIL YOU HAVE MET THE INTERVIEWER OR LANDLORD/AGENT IN PERSON. Whom should I notify about fraud or scam attempts? U.S. Federal * Internet Fraud Complaint Center - http://www.ic3.gov/ * FTC Video: How to report scams to the FTC - http://www.ftc.gov/video-library/index.php/video/how-to-file-a-complaint-with-the-federal-trade-commission/1402334828001 * FTC online complaint form - https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ * FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357) * Consumer Sentinel/Military (for reports from services members or their families) - http://www.ftc.gov/sentinel/military/index.shtml * SIIA Software and Content Piracy reporting - http://www.siia.net/piracy/report/report.asp If you are defrauded by someone you met in person, contact your local police department.