DONT GET SCAMMED! PSA to LIF members. Official Thread :)

So there has been a rash of scam type stuff on the net lately, and I thought I would put down some thoughts to help protect our money.

1. Scam: "I will send you a check for $500 to cover expenses. Please mail me back a check for $400 from you and keep the rest as a deposit".

I have seen this scam everywhere from Ebay, to roomates.com to craigslist. I even read about one from a girl who was a virtual personal assistant.

Moral: Anytime someone asks you to write a check on your account after sending you a check is a SCAM.

2. Scam: Ebay/papal : (We saw this today) Basically, if it seems fishy, it is. Anyone asking you to ship something without payment is a scam.

NEVER EVER click on a link someone sends you. If you do, LOOK AT THE ADDRESS BAR, NOT the link. The address bar in the browser is always the key. It will always have some scammy version of www.234/ebay.paypal......

Moral: Never click on a link. GO to eBay (your bank, you loan) and click on a link from there.

3. Craigslist: The scam "you want to buy my product? Great. I am in UK at the moment, but my Car/washer/pinball machine is in storage. Pay me and I will arrange for you to pick it up."

You inquire about a car/washer/pinball machine and get a very "generic" type of e-mail back. The person is ALWAYS out of the country and will "arrange" for you to pick the item up. But as well all know NOW, that its a scam. This almost happened to me with a pinball machine. We inquired about one for a GREAT price. But it was in storage and the person was out of the country right now. It just smacked of a scam and we decided to stay away at all costs.

Moral: MOST ANYTIME someone says they are out of the country and can arrange a pickup, its probably a scam.

5. Facebook (even regular e-mail): Scam "I am stuck in England and need you to wire me money to get home."

This has been popular for about 2 years and is still going on. This happened to me. I asked the person if Linda was with them. They said yes. I said that's strange that their dead sister was with them.

Moral: Ask the person questions to see if its really them. In the end It might be insensitive, but can save you money from being scammed.

5. Nigeria: Scam-- "you can help me get 3,000,000........

I just wanted to mention this. If you want some fun go to 419eater.com It people who scambait the bad guys. Its some FUNNY shizz there.

If you THINK its a scam, it probably is. Use your head. NEVER click on links in an e-mail. If there is a problem with your bank/creditcard/power/eBay/paypal/facebook account, GO TO THAT SITE and get a link from the website, NOT from e-mail.

Hope this helps save us all money!

Re: DONT GET SCAMMED! PSA to LIF members. Official Thread :)

I was jsut thinking about scams today..Craigslist is on my last nerve. Everytime I post something I will get Fake people emailing me. Sometimes its just an email saying: I am interested in your product" They dont ever mention what it is. Then sometimes they provide a link to their own website. I actually had one that was linked to the Daily News... I used to love selling on their but I think I am officially done!

Re: DONT GET SCAMMED! PSA to LIF members. Official Thread :)

I was involved in a scam because Nigerian scammers stole my name and address and used it on their postal return addresses. They used another persons name on checks and sent them to ppl in the mid west. These people were cashing these checks and were then out of 500-1000 due to bank. They would try contacting me because my name was on return address. This was sooo aggravating and lasted about 6 months. I even had cops from Kentucky and Alabama calling me - nothing happened but annoying. I can't believe people believed they were being sent free money!