| I was recently reminded again of how far scam | | | | good as gold. I didn't really see how I could lose. |
| artists will go to separate people from their | | | | However, then doubts came into my mind. Why |
| money by making use of the internet. | | | | would someone from the UK, pay full price for |
| The scam I read about took advantage of people | | | | my car - without even seeing it or having |
| who were looking for new jobs (offline) and did | | | | someone else check it out, and then pay |
| this by posting their resume's on the internet. | | | | expensive shipping costs to send the car |
| There were two parts to the scams: One was to | | | | somewhere else? Initially I rationalized that he |
| scan these resumes for any kind of personal | | | | must be a businessman and that cost was not an |
| information. In some cases they were able to find | | | | issue. But then I thought why would he want my |
| social security numbers published which then | | | | Chevy and do they not sell vehicles where he is? |
| allowed them apply for credit cards under | | | | I did some investigating on the internet and found |
| someone else's name. | | | | this scenario all too common. It was a scam. I |
| The other part involved actually calling the job | | | | was initially angry that someone would do this to |
| seeker and posing as a potential employer. Their | | | | me, but then also scared that it could be done to |
| spin involved explaining they were interested in | | | | me and that I could have lost both the car and |
| setting up an interview but needed some personal | | | | the money paid for the shipping costs. |
| information to do credit checks and other | | | | My story ended turned out ok because I stopped |
| background checks prior to the actual interview. | | | | before I parted with the money. However, there |
| Once this information was received, you guessed | | | | are many stories of people who parted with their |
| it, more problems. | | | | money before realizing it was wrong. |
| Now some of this just seems like common sense. | | | | Did I have any special insight which kept me from |
| I for one would not be publishing my social | | | | losing the money? Probably not, except for the |
| security numbers anywhere on the internet. | | | | fact that it just did not feel right. I compare this |
| However, a phone call, while desperate for a job, | | | | online scenario to walking down a dark alley at |
| from a company that sounded legitimate on the | | | | night. If it does not look right and does not feel |
| phone could perhaps persuade some people to | | | | right then don't do it - at least not without some |
| part with their personal information. | | | | investigation or insight from someone else. |
| My own personal experience with an online scam | | | | In many cases scammers "get away with it" since |
| happened a number of years ago. I had a used | | | | people are not aware of their methods. At the |
| car for sale and a friend recommended purchasing | | | | time I was not aware bank checks could be bad. |
| an online ad. This sounded like a good idea and did | | | | But they can also take advantage of emotions |
| not cost much so I did it. | | | | such as "Entitlement". I felt I deserved full price |
| Response to the ad was not immediate but over | | | | for the car, and he was the only one offering it. |
| time it did generate some interest with a few | | | | Either way before parting with your money over |
| calls and some emails. Nothing real serious though | | | | the internet, do your research and make sure |
| until one gentleman sent me an email explaining he | | | | you are ok with it. It could still be legitimate and |
| was real interested and wanted to know a few | | | | most likely a day or two will not hurt to check |
| more details. I was pretty interested because it | | | | something out to be sure. |
| seemed like price was not an issue. | | | | If you're thinking of starting your home business |
| We began an email dialogue and after several | | | | using the internet, don't let these stories from |
| exchanges came the "pitch": He was interested in | | | | other victims' scare you away. People are |
| purchasing the car but was unable to pick it up. | | | | scammed offline too. |
| Since he traveled considerably and was currently | | | | There are many legitimate internet opportunities |
| in the UK he would send a bank check for the full | | | | available for starting a home business. |
| amount plus the cost to ship it. When the check | | | | Here are some resources on internet crime along |
| arrived, I would then immediately deposit the | | | | with the FBI report I read about: |
| check and write another to a shipping broker who | | | | * ic3.gov/ |
| would call to pickup the vehicle. | | | | * fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm |
| My initial reaction was that I'd sold the vehicle. At | | | | * lookstoogoodtobetrue.com/ |
| the time, my understanding of bank checks was | | | | * fbi.gov/page2/july06/job_scams070506. |
| that it was similar to a money order and was as | | | | |