Use common sense to avoid being victimized
Published on Thu, Feb 12, 2009Read More Local News
Police officers in Marysville have seen a recent rise in fraudulent scams using Internet and phone contacts, and they are warning the public to be wary of scam artists who prey on the kindness of unwitting victims.
"They [scammers] either prey on the generosity of victims through transactions that involve checks or money, or they are pitching schemes asking for sensitive personal data," Marysville police commander Ralph Krusey said. "More often than not, if it sounds too good to be true, it's not true."
The department provided some recent examples, but warn that there are several variations on these themes.
Example #1
A victim posts an advertisement for a roommate on a free online Internet ad site, such as Craigslist. The scammer contacts the victim by e-mail and shows interest in the room for rent. The scammer then makes several additional Internet contacts, attempting to gain the victim's trust. The scammer sends a check for rent and includes extra money for a moving truck that will arrive with the scammer's belongings. A few days later, the scammer contacts the victim, indicating there was a change in delivery of the belongings, and requests that the victim send back the portion that was for moving expenses through an Internet money transfer company such as MoneyGram.
Example #2
A person contacts a business over the Internet that advertises payment for survey information. Soon after the contact, the victim receives a large check from the business for their service. The victim is asked to deposit the check in his or her personal account, keeping a portion of the money but sending the remainder back to the business via Western Union or MoneyGram.
In both examples, the victim's bank later learns that the check is fraudulent and the victim is required to cover the full amount of the deposit.
Marysville police officers suggest that residents should use the following common-sense rules to protect themselves from these or similar scans:
* Deal locally with people; make personal contact instead of relying solely on online or telephone communications.
* Never wire funds via Western Union or MoneyGram because it is untraceable.
* Fake cashier checks and money orders are becoming more common.
* Never give out financial information.
* If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
* Banks will hold you responsible for the losses.
* Most scammers are completing scams from outside the U.S.
If you have been the victim of a scam, or suspect that someone is trying to commit a fraud against you, here are some helpful phone numbers and contact information.
* FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
* FTC online complaint form: (http://www.ftc.gov)
* Internet Fraud Complaint Center: (http://www.ic3.gov)
* Non-emergency number for your local police department.
* In the City of Marysville, call 911 and report it to an officer
Police add that the tough economic times may cause some vulnerable people to be a little more willing to take risks, and these unscrupulous scammers can talk a convincing game.
"Don't fall for it," Krusey warned.
"They [scammers] either prey on the generosity of victims through transactions that involve checks or money, or they are pitching schemes asking for sensitive personal data," Marysville police commander Ralph Krusey said. "More often than not, if it sounds too good to be true, it's not true."
The department provided some recent examples, but warn that there are several variations on these themes.
Example #1
A victim posts an advertisement for a roommate on a free online Internet ad site, such as Craigslist. The scammer contacts the victim by e-mail and shows interest in the room for rent. The scammer then makes several additional Internet contacts, attempting to gain the victim's trust. The scammer sends a check for rent and includes extra money for a moving truck that will arrive with the scammer's belongings. A few days later, the scammer contacts the victim, indicating there was a change in delivery of the belongings, and requests that the victim send back the portion that was for moving expenses through an Internet money transfer company such as MoneyGram.
Example #2
A person contacts a business over the Internet that advertises payment for survey information. Soon after the contact, the victim receives a large check from the business for their service. The victim is asked to deposit the check in his or her personal account, keeping a portion of the money but sending the remainder back to the business via Western Union or MoneyGram.
In both examples, the victim's bank later learns that the check is fraudulent and the victim is required to cover the full amount of the deposit.
Marysville police officers suggest that residents should use the following common-sense rules to protect themselves from these or similar scans:
* Deal locally with people; make personal contact instead of relying solely on online or telephone communications.
* Never wire funds via Western Union or MoneyGram because it is untraceable.
* Fake cashier checks and money orders are becoming more common.
* Never give out financial information.
* If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
* Banks will hold you responsible for the losses.
* Most scammers are completing scams from outside the U.S.
If you have been the victim of a scam, or suspect that someone is trying to commit a fraud against you, here are some helpful phone numbers and contact information.
* FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
* FTC online complaint form: (http://www.ftc.gov)
* Internet Fraud Complaint Center: (http://www.ic3.gov)
* Non-emergency number for your local police department.
* In the City of Marysville, call 911 and report it to an officer
Police add that the tough economic times may cause some vulnerable people to be a little more willing to take risks, and these unscrupulous scammers can talk a convincing game.
"Don't fall for it," Krusey warned.
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