Internet Security

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Most of this website material is directed to our online store and we are pleased to provide you with an opportunity to get some information related to scams and fraud, money matters, small business and much more.... That is why we present first, some basic informational source from craiglist with diverse fraud schemes to help visitors avoid on-line scams.

Use caution and common sense when dealing with any financial transaction:

• DEAL ONLY WITH trusted/verified sites!
• NEVER wire funds to a distant person, via Western Union or any other carrier
• Be wary if the other party wants to use an escrow service such as BidPay or Squaretrade
• NEVER give out personal financial information (checking account number, SSN, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
• trust your instincts, and always remember that the most important rule -- caveat emptor -- BUYER BEWARE -- applies to any transaction on line where money is involved.

Recognizing the possibility to be a scam

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

• inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
• proposed transaction includes a cashier's check, postal money order, Western Union, or escrow service (BidPay, Squaretrade, etc.)
• inability or refusal to meet face-to-face when buying/selling from local sites

Types of Scams

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

• These claims might be fraudulent, be aware!
• Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from the posting site, offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, providing payment services -- all such emails are fakes!

• you receive an email 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 just about anything else of value.
• 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)

• 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.
• Scam "bait" items include laptops, plasma TVs, cell phones, tickets - but could be almost anything
• common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
• deal often seems too good to be true

• 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

• most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers
• for more info, do a google search on "fake escrow" or "escrow fraud"
  
• if you must do business with a distant seller, insist on a legitimate service, such as www.escrow.com

• he says he trusts you with the partial payment
• he may say he has already shipped the goods
• deal often sounds too good to be true

Other Resources

We believe trading on-line should be a source to provide someone with insight on making the right choice in his shopping needs.