About Internet Fraud
With the increase of internet transactions, comes the increase of internet theives. If you think or know you have become a victum of fraud you should report these incidents. You should also report incident of attempted fraud. Check out more information about internet fraud from fakechecks.org, Dateline NBC. or fraud.org

Who to Contact

• Federal Trade Commission - 1-877-382-4357 - ftc.gov
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center - ic3.org
• Your Local Authorities - Check your yellow pages.

Red flags of Internet Fraud

• Wire or bank transfers.
• Certified check or money orders.
• Offering more money (with request of refund) then you are asking
• Buyers claiming to be purchasing for someone else
• Overseas buyers
• Escrow companies (even if they have a website)

Real Examples

Below are real unmodified emails that are attempts from internet buyers to defraud a seller.

===================================================== ===================================================== ===================================================== loribeth_2007@yahoo.com 1983 Chevrolet C/K 2500 - $1,500.00 Hello, Goodday to you!am interested in purchasing your item without no further delay,but first?What is the final price of the item? Will you be accepting a US certified Cashiers Check or Postal Money order?i will be taking care of the entire shippment of the item and the payment you are going to recieve will include some excess fund which you going to be wire to the shipping company that will come for the pickup of the item,so here are the questions. 1. can we trust u with the money? 2. will u be able to wire transfer the excess the same day you receive the check or money order ? 3. will u be available when the shipping company will be coming for the pickup? 4. is the condition of the item okay? 5. your email address? 6. can we take u for ur words? Contact me with the present state of the item and your contact information to mail out the payment to you as soon as possible.Name you want on check: Home Address: City:State: Country: Phone Number/Office Number. Regards. ===================================================== ===================================================== ===================================================== bdaggett@lesterbuildings.com Intrested on your item Hello , Am Donald welsch am the Manager of Global firm we are into Farms and waste management.i came accross your Machines on the internet and i would be ready to get it.i have seen the price and details and my company is ready to make the payment.we are in disperate need of this machinerie in our baby company in spain. a staff of the company will be coming to the state to sign the neccessary document required and all payment would be made from the state.we have contacted our client in the state that will be making out payment to you.please give us a name and address the payment would be made out to.we urgent need t hear from you as soon as posible.below is the details of the equipment. Donald Welsch ===================================================== ===================================================== ===================================================== $16,000.00 1972 FARMALL 666 1,100 1972 Farmall 666 Tractor Listing ID: 186 Additional Details 1972 Farmall 666 Tractor. Includes Miller Loader, hydro, 2WD, 70 hp., used mostly as a yard tractor. Dual hydraulics, 3 point hitch. Body work and mechanicals are original and like new. PTO 540, gas. Recently had mechanic check it over, replaced ignition and plug wires, all new hydraulic fluids. Vntage Tractor with low hours. Not many produced. Fewer are left. None like this one --------------------------------- f_poter2@yahoo.com Message: Hello sir, How are you, and hoping you are fine. i saw the advert of your car online and i decided to inform you that am interested on purchasing it. Please i will like you to get back to me with the last price that you intend on selling it and the pictures of the car and also the conditions. hoping to hear from you with the details. Frank ===================================================== ===================================================== ===================================================== Thanks for your mail, To be honest,I think am happy with your price and I wish to complete the payment soon so I can assume the new owner of the vehicle. Actually I bought a similar vehicle from a seller in Atlanta GA at the price of $28,500 and I sent payment to him,on getting to the pick up,my shipper and agent discovered that the vehicle has had an accident before and the seller did not inform me of this so I had to cancel the transaction. I have informed him that I have seen another vehicle with a lesser price and have instructed him that he will be sending the funds to you and he accepted,though he said that he will deduct $100 from the total funds as the listing expences since he will place the vehicle back to the Advert,he also told me that his credit union allows a refund payment on one cashier's check only. So, He will be sending the whole funds($28,500) to you.Since your vehicle is cheaper($20,800), the difference ($7,600) would be used to offset shipping charges and other expences.You will have to deduct your price once payment gets to you,and westernunion the balance to the shipper. I will advice my shipper and agent to contact you for the pickup as soon as you receive the payment. title papers and other necessary documents will either be collected from you at the point of pick-up or sent via fedex courier to me. Confirm this and provide 1)Name (cheque will be made payable to), 2)Address ( the check will be delivered to) and Phone number for check payment to be delivered to you via registered mail.