Avoiding Scams & Fraud
You can avoid would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:
- DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on TribClassifieds.com.
- NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
- FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.
- TribClassifieds.com IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"
- NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
- AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.
Recognizing scams
Most scams involve one or more of the following:
- inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
- Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee"
- inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consumating transaction
Common Classified Scams
Puppy Scams:
Recently, scam artists have been postings advertisements on the internet and in printed publications for puppies for sale, commonly English Bulldog and Yorkshire Terrier puppies. Usually, the only way to contact them is via e-mail. Once contacted, they tell you that these puppies are in West Africa and can be shipped to you if you wire money to someone overseas. Many folks have wired money and never received an animal.
How to avoid: To get a healthy dog that has been breed humanely, you should only purchase puppies from reputable breeders, rescue groups, or pet adoption agencies. These folks would be as interested in placing their dogs in great homes as you are in getting a great dog. Make sure to the meet dog in person before deciding to adopt. If you are buying from breeders professional breeders or from a family, they should let you visit the puppy’s current living conditions. Breeders should also provide references. And always make sure to get up-to-date medical and vaccination records. The Humane Society has more info about finding reputable breeders
For more info:
- Nigerian scams: Now it's English bulldogs Syracuse Post-Standard
- ScamBusters.org
Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?
- 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.
- If you suspect that an item posted for sale on TribClassifieds.com may be part of a scam, please notify us by using our contact form Be sure to include the URL of the offending ad in your message.
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