Though we make an effort to keep our ads community safer by reviewing and screening each ad, sometimes things still happen. We want you to be safe. Everyday people fall victim to internet scams. Though many scams have been uncovered and recognized worldwide, scammers still attempt the same scams repeatedly or try new scams hoping to get over on an unaware victim.

 

Follow these simple tips to protect yourself from online scams and fraud :

  • Dealing locally with people you can meet in person is the easiest way to avoid fraud.
  • Any non-local transaction involving wire transfer using Western Union, Money Gram or any other wire service are most likely fraudulent.
  • Transactions involving Cashier Checks or third party payments are most likely fraudulent.
  • Never give out your personal information (bank info, social security number, etc.)

 

How to recognize scams

Many scams involve the following suspicious activity:

  • Request for transaction involving wire transfer, cashier check, money order, or online escrow service.
  • Request for your personal information.
  • An inquiry from a person far away and usually from outside the United States.
  • Request to have shipment to another country.

 

Who to notify if you are a victim of or you suspect fraud or scams:

  • FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
  • FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
  • Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
  • Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov/)
  • Non-emergency number for your local police department.

Please also report suspected scams or fraud to abuse@XoClassifieds.com and include the ad id#.

 

Examples of the latest Scams

Cashier's Check or Money Order Scam - You receive an inquiry from someone making an offer to buy or rent from you. A genuine looking cashier's check or money order is offered for the purchase of an item or as a deposit for your rental unit. The value of the cashier's check exceeds the price or value and the scammer asks you to wire him/her the difference. Your bank will cash the check, and later hold you responsible when they learn the check is counterfeit. You will end up owing your bank a lot of money and possibly facing criminal charges.

Payment via Wire Transfer Scam - Seller requests payment from you for an item via wire transfer. Your money is collected but you never receive anything in return.

Escrow Service Scam - Distant seller requests payment via online escrow service. The Escrow service is fraudulent an ran by the scammer. Your funds are stolen and you receive nothing.

Animal Adoption Scam - A distant seller places an ad claiming to have pets for adoption or for sale. Seller post photos which they obtain from the internet. You reply to the ad. Seller begins sending you numerous emails in an attempt to get you to wire funds. You pay for the pet but you never receive the pet. 

Job Offer Scams - The employer claims you will earn a lot of money even without experience. You're asked to fill out a long form either online or through email with your personal information. A fraudulent check is mailed out to you and the person may ask you to cash it then ask you to wire some money back. Some scammers promise you will be hired after you purchase a training kit. Don't be fooled. If it sounds to good to be true, it usually is!

 

Examples of Actual Emails from Scammers

Thanks very much for your response ,the reason I am sending you this email is to make final reconfirmation of the Van which goes for $500 and it's ok by me,also to let you know that payment will be by cashiers Check. In view of this I need you to email me any information that may be required to send the payment as I do not want to send the check to a wrong location lest they get into the wrong hands.Regarding the shipping, I have a freight company that takes care of the pickup of my consignments for me and ship to my destination , you should'nt get worried about shipping, the company will send down a representative to arrange the sales documentation and the pick up from your end for onward transfer to my destination. I also want to alert you on the fact that you will be receiving an overdraft Cashiers Check, which will cover the money for the pickup (pickup and shipping to the final destination) as well as the money to be paid to the company that will take care of the pickup and the documentation with you. So please, as soon as you receive the payment, go and cash it immediately, deduct the money that accrues to you, and send the balance to the Head Office of the company that handles the shipment .I will give you the details of the company that will be shipping the Tractor as soon as we seal this deal.Once the money is received by the agent ,the shipping agent will contact you immediately to arrange the documentation as well as the pick up immediately.So in view of the above, here are some of the details I will need for final issuance of the Cashiers Check to you. 
(1) Full Name
(2) Mailing address, no p.o.box please
(3) your direct telephone number both home and cell.?
{4} accept my offer
{5}Final asking price
Once you get back to me with all the above, the check will be issued out immediately by my business associate and it will be sent to you .Hope to hear from you immediately.Looking forward to your swift response.
Regards,XXXXXX

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Hello seller,

I am interested in buying this item of yours.Payment will be made to you via Money Order, Personal or Cashiers check.The money will be sent to you with excess fund which is the shipping fee you will wire via western union to the shipper's name and address that will be given to you as soon as you have deducted the cost of your item the same day the check clears.Get back to me fast with the following information below where the check will be sent out to.

1. NAME
2. ADDRESS
3. PHONE #
4. PRICE OR FINAL OFFER

Looking forward for your response. 

Many regards

Lima Mike.
 

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Dear seller,

My name is Mr. Michael Edwards from Vancouver am interested in quick purchase of your item and am paying via western union auction payment,the goods is needed in my store in africa by my customers in the next 4 days and i dont want to lose my cutomers i have higher demand on the goods if you wanna sell kindly send me your full contact details,quantity available for sale and the amount plus the shipping price.I want the goods to be ship immediatelly you recieve western union payment confirmation,email me back.

thanks

Mr. Michael Edwards

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Dear Sir/Mam,

Withdue Respect, I am Henry Stewart by name based in United Kingdom. i will like to use this opportunity to let you know that i am highly interested in purchasing your item(pet) you placed on the classifieds.In this case, i will like to know the condition of this item,price and if you will be able to accept a certified U.S cashier check as the mode of payment for this item.if yes,kindly get back to me as soon as possible. Thanks and looking forward to hear from you. Best Regards.... 

Henry Stewart