Broker Alert - Transfer Fraud
S U consumers lose millions of dollars every year by using fraudulent transfers as part of their scams.
Western Union, MoneyGram and similar companies allow you to send money quickly their services are useful to send funds to friends, relatives and others that you know well but con artists often try to take advantage of victims convince them to transfer money to a stranger, often someone in a foreign country.
The initial hook can take many forms in all cases, the scam ends the same way you are asked to wire money and once you do, it is usually gone for good.
The most important thing for consumers to remember is that money never from someone you haven t been long known.
All of the following red flags should report a scam.
You have sent a check as part of an artist Con payment request often earn their victims trust by sending a fake check for more than the purchase amount or to cover so-called processing fees, the fees shipping or other expenses may be a cashier's check, personal check or money they instruct the victim to cash the check or money and send them some money wired to learn more about the fake check scams.
The contact indicates a confirmation code control number or Money Transfer MTCN is required before your money can be a shameless lie Once you wire the money, it can be taken care of immediately.
A caller or e-mail appears to come from abroad The message can be full of typos.
The person communicates via TTY TDD service is used by the hearing impaired Cons prefer the service because it disguises thick accents and make untraceable calls follow-up correspondence is by email.
Small purchases ads Crooks fake buyers Browse online classifieds, auto sales of magazines and newspapers for potential victims They contact the advertising of cars, electronics and almost everything of value, pretending to be an interested buyer payment comes as a counterfeit check often over the sale Price You are asked to wire the extra amount to a third party or to refund the difference generally claim against the wired money is the payment of an intermediary to ship the item other times, they can send a check for the exact amount and then again on the case and request a refund learn more about scams fake check.
How to protect your agreement with local buyers only accept payment of the actual purchase price, if possible, accept only cash If you accept a check, ask for a shot at a local bank that you can visit to determine conclusively that the check is good Don t give up your car or other valuables until the issuing bank on the check verified that the check has cleared.
Classifieds sellers purchasing fake Cons display false advertisements for cars or other high-ticket items then request payment by bank transfer Other times they may suggest the use of a fake escrow company.
How to protect yourself with local vendors Deal Question any seller who insists on using a particular form of payment and to refuse requests to transfer money.
fake lotteries and sweepstakes you receive a certificate stating that you have won a prize and a check You are told to keep part of the money and send a bank transfer to cover processing fees or taxes waves Once money is wired, the victim never sees their prices can legally t play a foreign lottery in the United States, so these locations are always scams.
How to protect yourself Never pay or send money to anyone who claims that you have won a prize.
Parents who need assistance you receive desperate phone call, email or even instant message from someone posing as a grandchild or a friend, he was arrested abroad, she was assaulted please send money immediately Except that it's not the one you think the scammer.
How to protect yourself call the friend or relative claiming to need your help to confirm whether the story is true, using a telephone number you know to be true if you aren t able to contact the person, call for other friends or family members to confirm the situation Refuse send money by bank transfer.
the expensive food orders The con artist or perhaps a ring against using a stolen credit card to pay for a wedding cake or a large food order then indicates the company to transfer money to a company that picking and delivery of food.
advance fee loans After submitting a loan application, you are asked to wire processing payments to a lender Once you wire money, you never get the loan Additionally, the crooks have your information bank account and can steal your account.
Protecting Yourself Don t pay for the promise of a simple loan or legitimate lenders credit approval may require the application, appraisal or credit report fees, but these are paid after the loan is approved and are usually paid product of the loan.
secret shopper job after responding to an ad offering to work as a secret shopper, your first task is to transfer the money you have sent a bogus check with instructions to keep a little for the payment of your work and the wire the rest.
How to protect yourself never accept a mystery shopping job that requires a bank transfer or one that requires you to pay money or use your own bank account is also skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who guarantee employment, charge fees, sale of the directories companies that provide their customers mystery or advertising in a help wanted section or by email.
The work plans to address consumers are offered part-time jobs as international torchbearers Their task is to deposit checks into their personal bank accounts, keep a small percentage as a commission and relay the remainder by bank transfer to the new employer checks are often worthless at other times they are written by the victims who have purchased goods from an auction online, but never got the goods These same thieves, now armed with your bank information, can use numbers to create a draft application to an unauthorized charge on your account.
How to protect yourself Avoid jobs that use the term money transfers, wiring funds, and foreign agent agreements never before or transfer money from one of your personal accounts in the name of an employer If a legitimate job requires you to perform money transfers, money should be removed from the employer's business account never provide your bank account information until you are hired, and only a legitimate employer if you choose to have your paycheck deposited electronically.
Nigerian money transfer scams claiming to be Nigerian officials, businessmen or survivors of ancient royalty, scam artists offer to transfer millions of dollars into your bank account in exchange for a royalty OF other times they offer to let you keep some of the money or donate to the charity of your choice if you fall for the initial step, you may be asked to provide your bank account numbers you will also invited to send a little money to cover transfer fees and attorney fees at the end, you get nothing Meanwhile, the con disappeared with your money and personal information that can be used to steal your identity.
How to protect yourself Never send money or personal information to a stranger Ask yourself, why this person wants to trust me with their money If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
If you think you have been a victim of fraud bank transfer, file a complaint with the Office of Financial Institutions DFI DFI license issuers money, such as Western Union and MoneyGram You can also contact DFI by calling 360 902-8703 or 1-877- RING DFI 1-877-746-4334.
Bank Transfer Scams Washington, wire, transfers scams.
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