Protect yourself from FRAUD use Escrow.com!!!

With over 15 million vehicles sold over the Internet each year, fraud has become a huge problem. Escrow.com has been protecting people from becoming the victims of Internet fraud for years. Through their Vehicle Services Division a Buyer can arrange to have an onsite 160-point vehicle inspection performed prior to making a final decision on the purchase. The service works like this:

1. Terms of offer are finalized between Buyer and Seller.
2. Buyer chooses Escrow.com Inspection Services and pays $125.00 by credit card.
3. Seller is contacted, appointment scheduled, inspection completed and report sent to Buyer.
4. After viewing the inspection report, the Buyer can submit the balance due for the vehicle or request a cancellation.

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

DEAL ONLY WITH LOCAL BUYERS AND SELLERS! Stay away from any non-local deals.
NEVER wire funds to a distant buyer, 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.)
Trustyour instincts, and always remember the most important rule -- BUYER BEWARE!

Who should I notify about fraud?

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.IFCCFBI.gov
U.S. Postal Service warning scambusters

Recognizing scams

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

1. A long-distance buyer or seller. 2. An offer including a cashier's check, postal money order, Western Union, or escrow service other than Escrow.com. 3. Refusal to meet face-to-face

Types of Scams:

a.) Distant buyer offers a high-value (but fake) cashier's check in exchange for your item you receive an odd email offering to buy your item unseen. Cashier's check is offered for your sale item as a deposit and value of the cashier's check often far exceeds your item - then the buyer asks you to wire the balance left over via money. Banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR!

b.) Distant seller requests payment via Western Union or MoneyGram. Seller often claims 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!

c.) Distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service. 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 Escrow.com

e.) Distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods he says he trusts you with the partial payment. He may say he has already shipped the goods! Most often if the deal sounds too good to be true it is!

Actual examples of scam emails

ex.) Hello, Thanks for your mail back concerning the inquiry mail i sent to you. The price,condition also the pics I viewed is okay by me .And my client confirm there is no problem about the price $975 , my client do pays with a USA cashiers check, he has agreed to mail out as bank cashiers check of $3500. to you on my behalf to cover the shippment fees. About the shipment, that we be taken care by my me and my personal assistant, my personal assistant will be using his shipper to do the quick processing of the shipping of the 1987 Toyota Celica to my client. So all you are to do after you will received the check in your mail. Just take out your sale amount and refer the remaining money to my shipper immediately through the western union or the money gramm outlet so to get the money fast and start the fast arrangement for the pickup of the 1987 Toyota Celica. Write your full name to be on the check, with the mailing address which my client will be using to issued out the check to you. I do wish to trust you by refering the rest balance back to my shipper and also your fast doing to this transaction. I will like to hear from you if this is okay by you and you are ready to process, if you aready to sale your item.

ex.) Thanks for your mail, Since the cost of your bike is $800 I just contacted my client about the cost of your bike and it present condition and he said there is no problem about that. So my client said he will be issuing you a Certified Check of $4000 while you wire 3000 to me through Western Union Money Trasfer and you deduct the cost of your bike $800 and keep the remaining $200 which my client said you should take for the terms of Transaction and Agreement between you and my client. So i will like you to send me your full contact information. I will look forward to the requested information as soon as possible so that the check can be sent out to you immediately And do get back to me with the Pics of the bike so that my client will be able to see What he is paying off. Get back to me immediately.

ex.) Good day, I am an auto dealer based in Taiwan, I am interested in buying your car. I will like to know if you would accept a certified cashier check for the payment, I also need to know the price and your full name and address including your phone is also needed in which payment will be sent to. I have a shipping company who takes cares of my shippment. So don't bother about the shippment. I will also like to know if is still in good condition and shape. Urgent response is needed for procedure of payment for the car.