Hi!
Today`s news are about how to recognize scams. This is a very important problem nowadays and I think, the more we know about this – the more we can do! So, I hope you will enjoy reading this useful note!
In these tough economic times, the thought of a windfall may be too tempting to resist, but don’t let desperation victimize you.
And don’t join the ranks of consumers who have been lured into accepting genuine-looking checks and money orders and wiring money to crooks in return.
According to a survey by the Consumer Federation of America, almost a third of adults have been approached with fake check scams and at least 1.3 million have become victims.
With an average loss of $3,000 to $4,000 per consumer, that means billions of dollars have been pocketed by fake check scammers.
There are many types of fake check scams, but they all start when someone gives you a realistic-looking check or money order and asks you to send cash somewhere in return.
It’s phony, and so is the person’s story.
But that may take weeks to discover – by which time your bank will want its money back.
Ultimately, you are responsible for the checks or money orders you deposit or cash.
Here are some varieties of fake check scams:
Sudden riches: The notice comes by mail, phone, fax or email that you’ve won a prize.
The scammers send you a check or money order as an “advance” and ask you to send money to pay taxes or administrative fees to get the rest of your winnings.
“Throw away any offer that asks you to pay for a prize or a gift,” said the Federal Trade Commission. “If it’s free or a gift, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Free is free.”
Phony job offers: “They ask you to help process payments by depositing checks or money orders intended for their company into your bank account,” according to FakeChecks.org, a Web site created by the National Consumers League and the Alliance for Consumer Fraud Awareness.
You’re told to keep a percentage as your “pay” and send them the rest.
Does that make sense? Legitimate companies have payments go directly to their own accounts.
The mystery shopper: In one scenario, you’re asked to cash a check or money order and then send the funds to the crooks to “test” a money transfer service. In another, after cashing the check or money order, you buy several small items at a store and send the rest of the money to the scammers.
“Legitimate companies would never ask you to use a money transfer or delivery service to send cash to them or anywhere else,” said FakeChecks.org
Overpayments: The scammer offers to buy something the consumer has advertised for sale, sends a check or money order for more than the asking price, and tells the seller to wire the extra to someone who will arrange for shipping.
Another version has the scammers saying that a check or money order payment will come from someone who owes them money, and they tell you to deduct your share and send them the rest.
