Recognizing Online 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 completing the transaction.

Examples of Online Scams:

Someone claims that MyCollectablesClassifieds.com will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, or claims that MyCollectablesClassifieds.com will handle or provide protection for a payment.

  • These claims are fraudulent because MyCollectablesClassifieds.com is not a party to any transaction.
  • Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from MyCollectablesClassifieds.com, offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, providing payment services – all such emails are fakes! MyCollectablesClassifieds.com does not send out emails representing a buyer or seller.

Distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier’s check:

  • You receive an email offering to buy your item, sight unseen.
  • Cashier’s check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for an apartment, or for your services.
  • Value of cashier’s check often far exceeds your item – scammer offers to “trust” you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service.
  • Banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
  • Scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc).

Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:

  • Scam “bait” items would include high value collectable items, such as, gems, coins, stamps.
  • Often claim 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.
  • Common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, Italy, Netherlands United Kingdom, – but could be anywhere.
  • Deal seems too good to be true, price is too low.

Distant person offers to send you a money order and then have you wire money:

  • This is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience – the cashier’s check is FAKE.
  • Sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not.
  • Scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check.
  • Deal seems too good to be true.

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

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
  • Deal often sounds too good to be true

Foreign company offers you a job receiving payments from customers, then wiring funds

  • Foreign company may claim it is unable to receive payments from its customers directly
  • You are typically offered a percentage of payments received
  • This kind of “position” may be posted as a job, or offered to you via email

Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?

U.S. Federal

Canada

If you are defrauded by someone you’ve met in person, contact your local police department.

If you suspect that a MyCollectablesClassifieds.com listing may be part of a scam, please email us the details