scams and fraud

Most people who use Worldslist have great stories to tell about their experiences with buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords and such, but we also receive occasional reports of scams and fraud. We've found that one of the best ways to avoid this problem is to keep all transactions local -- whenever possible, don't do business with anyone who is not in your local area.
 
Use caution and common sense when dealing with any financial transaction:
  • DEAL ONLY WITH LOCALS! Most non-local inquiries on worldslist are scams.

  • NEVER wire funds to a distant person, 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.)

  • trust your instincts, and always remember that the most important rule -- caveat emptor -- BUYER BEWARE -- applies to any transaction on worldslist where money is involved.

If you think you have been scammed, contact the non-emergency number for your local police department -- they may be able to offer advice about your options.
 
Who should I notify about fraud?
  • FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
  • FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
  • Canadian Phone Busters hotline: 888-495-8501
  • Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ifccfbi.gov/)

If you suspect that an item posted for sale on worldslist may be part of a scam, please email the details to "abuse@worldslist.com". Be sure to include the URL (or eight-digit post ID number) in your message.
 
Recognizing scams

Most scams meet involve one or more of the following:
 
  • inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
  • proposed transaction includes a cashier's check, postal money order, Western Union, or escrow service (BidPay, Squaretrade, etc.)
  • inability or refusal to meet face-to-face

Types of Scams

1. Someone claims that worldslist will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, OR claims that worldslist will handle or provide protection for a payment

  • These claims are fraudulent, as worldslist does not have any role in any transaction.
  • Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from worldslist, offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, providing payment services -- all such emails are fakes!

2. distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check

  • you receive an email (examples below) offering to buy your item, or rent your apartment, sight unseen.
  • cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for an apartment, or for just about anything else of value.
  • 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)

3. Someone requests payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:

  • 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.
  • Scam "bait" items include laptops, plasma TVs, cell phones, tickets - but could be almost anything
  • common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
  • deal often seems too good to be true

4. distant person offers to send you a cashier's check 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 often seems too good to be true

5. distant person 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 www.escrow.com

6. 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

Other Resources

U.S. Postal Service warning scambusters