Hiding behind the email

You just got an email and it looks like it is really from a local business or organization that you know. Is it possible that it could be from a scammer? The answer is yes. Scammers use a technique called spoofing to do this.

What is spoofing? Well, if you want to go and read the technical definition of it, you can go here, but for those of you who are like me and some of the technical talk starts to sound like "blah, blah, blah" here are the spoofing basics.

Spoofing is when the person who sent the email makes it appear like the email cam from a different email address. One of the clues would be if the From line in the email has a different address than the Reply To line of the email.

Why would anyone want to do this? Well, the scammers take on many different profiles, and since they are trying to gain your trust, and your money, they have to make it LOOK like they really are who they say that they are. If they can spoof an email address of a well know business, and in their email they say they are with that business, there are some people who are not as internet savvy that will believe that the scammer is really who they say they are or associated with the company they claim to be with simply because the email address appears to be from that company.

Email spoofing is a common tool used by internet scammers, since it allows them to hide behind the identity of another person or company.

Stop the scammers from calling

Here is a question that I get asked a lot . . .

"A scammer keeps calling me and demanding that I send him money. How can I get this to stop?"

In the past, people have told the scammer that the FBI is investigating the case and that their phone is tapped, so every time that the scammer calls it gives the FBI more information to find them. This has sometimes worked to scare the scammer out of continuing to call you.

The easiest way to get rid of these annoying calls is to block the scammer's phone number. This can be done with a service from your phone company that is called Call Block, or sometimes called Call Screening or Call Rejection. Check with your phone company to see if they charge for this service. If they do, it is usually for a small amount.

Once you know that you have the service, the process of blocking a phone number is simple. Dial *60 and listen to the prompting messages, which will ask you to enter the phone number that you want to block. If you do not know the phone number, what you can do is dial *60 immediately after hanging up from the call with the scammer. One of the prompts will ask you if you would like to block the last phone number that called you.

http://scamvictimsunited.blogspot.com/

Robert Siciliano’s Conversation with a Hacker : Information Security Resources

Here is a great article by Robert Siciliano of IDTheftSecurity.com about a conversation that he had with a scammer.

Robert Siciliano’s Conversation with a Hacker : Information Security Resources

Google it!

I think that Google is a wonderful scam fighting tool. On a daily basis we will have people come to our site and post on our message board that they did NOT become a scam victim because they ran a Google search on something from the scammer's email . . . their name, email address, company, phone number . . . and that search brought them right to a post on our message board. Once they see this information on our message board they know for sure that it is a scam.

If you ask me, it is better to be over cautious . . . Google everything! You never know what information you might find out. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Scams and Social Networking Sites

The following information was issued by the IC3 and can be found at http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091001.aspx

Techniques Used By Fraudsters On Social Networking Sites

Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking sites and spread malicious software by using various techniques. One technique involves the use of spam to promote phishing sites, claiming there has been a violation of the terms of agreement or some other type of issue which needs to be resolved. Other spam entices users to download an application or view a video. Some spam appears to be sent from users' "friends", giving the perception of being legitimate. Once the user responds to the phishing site, downloads the application, or clicks on the video link, their computer, telephone or other digital device becomes infected.

Another technique used by fraudsters involves applications advertised on social networking sites, which appear legitimate; however, some of these applications install malicious code or rogue anti-virus software. Other malicious software gives the fraudsters access to your profile and personal information. These programs will automatically send messages to your "friends" list, instructing them to download the new application too.

Infected users are often unknowingly spreading additional malware by having infected Web sites posted on their Webpage without their knowledge. Friends are then more apt to click on these sites since they appear to be endorsed by their contacts.

Tips on avoiding these tactics:

Adjust Web site privacy settings. Some networking sites have provided useful options to assist in adjusting these settings to help protect your identity.

Be selective of your friends. Once selected, your "friends" can access any information marked as "viewable by all friends."

You can select those who have "limited" access to your profile. This is for those whom you do not wish to give full friend status to or with whom you feel uncomfortable sharing personal information.

Disable options and then open them one by one such as texting and photo sharing capabilities. Users should consider how they want to use the social networking site. If it is only to keep in touch with people then perhaps it would be better to turn off the extra options which will not be used.

Be careful what you click on. Just because someone posts a link or video to their "wall" does not mean it is safe.

Those interested in becoming a user of a social networking site and/or current users are recommended to familiarize themselves with the site's policies and procedures before encountering such a problem.

Each social networking site may have different procedures on how to handle a hijacked or infected account; therefore, you may want to reference their help or FAQ page for instructions.

Individuals who experienced such incidents are encouraged to file a complaint at www.IC3.gov reporting the incident.

Inheritance Scam

Here is an email that got past my spam filters.

Subject: I have been touched
From: schooluniforms@dickies.com


My name is Mrs Bernadette finchley,I have decided to donate what I have to you.
I was diagnosed of cancer for about Few years ago,immediately after the death of my husband.

I have been touched to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to you for the good work of charity organisation,I decided to WILL/donate the sum of $12.8 million united states dollars to you to carry out my last wish on earth.

Contact my Physican Dr Steve Elliott with this specified email--
drsteveelliott101@gmail.com

I know i dont know you but I have been directed to do this.Thanks and God bless.

Regards,
Mrs Bernadette finchley.

Reporting Scams

"How do I report that I have been a victim of an online scam?" is a question I hear on a regular basis, either on our message board, through emails or left as comments on other sites.

There are plenty of places that you can report that you have been a victim of an online scam. The main place that I would recommend would be the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) which is a combined effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). As you can see, you get the resources of three larger agencies all from one place, and to me, that much better than reporting with multiple agencies individually. To file a complaint with the IC3, go to http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx

The following information is right from the IC3 site Frequently Asked Questions section . . .

Q: How are complaints resolved?

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) thoroughly reviews and evaluates each complaint so that we may refer it to the appropriate federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agency. Every complaint that is referred is sent to one or more law enforcement or regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction over the matter. Once we refer a complaint to the appropriate agency, it may then be assigned to an investigator. We, therefore, ask that you provide a telephone number in the event an investigator needs to contact you for additional information.

IC3 cannot guarantee that your complaint will beinvestigated.

Why can't they guarantee that your complaint will be investigated? It all comes down to jurisdiction . . . who has the power and authority to address this sort of crime in the location that the crime was committed. Now, you might say that the crime was committed in what ever city or state that you live in, but since this person did not come to your home and take the money from you that is not true. They were sitting in front of a computer in another country and through the information sent to you over the internet they defrauded you. Being that the crime took place over the internet, with the place of origin being the foreign country where the scammer is, it would be the law enforcement and government in that country that would have to address this crime. (why other countries do little to nothing is an issue for another time)

Now, I am not in ANY way discouraging anyone from filing a complaint . .. quite the opposite! I feel that it is VERY important for every victim of a scam to report it. This will bring more attention to the growing problem and history shows us that when enough people feel that something is a problem they will try to do something to change it. So if you area victim of a scam please report it. http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

More scam emails

Don't you love it when Banks use gmail accounts

Subject: BANK TO BANK TRANSACTION FOR YOU
From: makanabenson5@gmail.com
Reply To: makanabenson55@gmail.com

I am Mr. Makana Benson A manager with one of the majorbanks in South Africa.

I am in a position to Move a chunk of money out of the vault of my bank although legally. The money was owned by a customer who died long ago and we couldn't get trace of anyone to claim his money, despite desperate search for a next of kin.

The rules and ethics of our banking regulations demandsthat, after 8yrs of unclaimed funds (money) themoney would be forfeited to the Bank and declared surplusand paid into the states accounts.

Since I am the manager who is in charge of this unclaimed money, I have perfected legaly means ofmaking you stand as the next of kin to the late fellowas a foreigner.

This is risk free as all legal backings are present and would be detailed to you once I have gained your trust and certainty that we can be friends and trust in you. You would be handsomely rewarded with 30% of the total sum.

I will disclose some vital information about the late owner 0f the funds and how he died and the name of my bank once I have gained your trust. I expect your utmost response to this email.

Please in your reply let me have your contact telephone numbers so I can call you and explain more to you.

Makana Benson

Barclays bank London UK

I wish I had a dollar for every one of these emails I get . . .


Subject: RE: US$800,000.00 INTEREST PAYMENT:
From: joeythebag@sbcglobal.net
Reply To: infodesk.bbplc@sify.com

Barclays Bank Plc.
26th Floor 1 Churchill Place,
London, E14 5HP Reg. No: 1026167.
United Kingdom
From: The Desk of Mr.Chris Lucas
Barclays bank London UK

Dear Esteeemed Client,
RE: US$800,000.00 INTEREST PAYMENT:

I am Mr. Chris Lucas Head of Financial Services and Global Head of Banking and Capital Markets. Payment Director, Corporate Services Division and Head of Swift Transfer Unit of Barclays bank London UK.

Sometime ago, in our bank your fund was brought to our bank from National Lotto Group here in England and after some period, the money was taken back to their treasury. But for the period of time this money was in our bank, it generated an interest of US$800,000.00 which we are about to pay you Via International Bank wire transfer through one of our corresponding bank in US.

For your information and advice, you need to hasten up to pick this Fund because from time to time the National Lotto Group auditors do come to our bank to cross-check our files and our financial update, the earlier you comply with the demands of the transfer of the fund, the faster the action, because when the auditors arrive and find out that his interest fund is still in our bank they will call back the accrued interest to the lotto treasury account.

What we need from you now is any form of your identification for example;your International passport or your driver license,your telephone and fax numbers for easy communication to you with your receiving bank details and address,or if you wish to have this fund paid to you through any other means that you find more suitable kindly indicate meanwhile, forward your banking detaisl to us.As a matter of fact we dont have enough time to waste since we have wasted time in trying the best way to reach you since we do not have your contact phone number, so try and comply with the entire necessary requirement for the transaction to be completed by contacting the gentlement below for the payment.

Contact : Mr. Terry Jones (Customer Adviser Case Officer)
Email: infodesk.bbplc@sify.com
Phone No: +447035973996
Fax Line: +448704795431

Note all effort to reach you failed and I had to send you a mail on this email address, which I guessed belongs to you.

Expecting your immediately response.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr.Chris Lucas
Barclays bank London UK.

*********************************************************************
Barclays Bank Plc London
UK CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This transmission may contain confidential information protected by state or federal law. The information is intended only for use consistent with the state business discussed in this transmission.If you are not the intended ecipient,you are hereby notified that any isclosure,copying, distribution,or the taking of any action based on the contents is strictly rohibited.If you have received this transmission in error, please delete this email and notify the sender immediately.Your cooperation is appreciated

Scam using Obama Foundation name

Here is an email that I found in my spam folder.

From:
Mrs Joy Terry

OBAMA'S FOUNDATION info@foundation.com

Greetings to you,On behalf of the Obama's Foundation, we wish to notify you as abeneficiary of $99,000.00 USD in compensation of scam victims.Do contactLloyds TSB Bank plc; London's Branch for verification and release of your$99,000.00 USD that we have depositedThe account log on will be presented to you by the bank in order to accessthe funds before releasing into your nominated bank account. You willtransfer the funds into your nominated account on-line as the Lloyds TSBBank plc will provide the necessary information to you. Please if you arewilling to acceptthe funds, do contact us Via: obamafoundation.49@9.cn

Yours Faithfully,
Mrs Joy Terry
Co-ordinator.OBAMA'S FOUNDATION

-------------------------
Watch out for these scams!

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of http://scamvictimsunited.com/
There is strength in numbers!

Check out our blog at http://scamvictimsunited.blogspot.com/
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Has this site helped you?
Then help us to continue to fight scams by donating at http://www.scamvictimsunited.com/donations.htm

The state of the economy

I got this email (this one is NOT a scam) from the Friends of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

As Congress undertakes one of history's largest legislative agendas, Chief Economist, Marty Regalia, and Executive Director, Katie Hays, from the U.S. Chamber will discuss the state of the economy and health care reform.Join us Wednesday, September 16 at 1:00 p.m. EST for an update on President Obama's Second One Hundred Days, its impact on the economy, and the latest details on the health care debate -- including the Senate Finance Committee's most recent proposal.Register now online and submit your question for the U.S. Chamber's policy experts to discuss during the call.

I went and submitted my question . . . when is the government going to do more to address the issue of scams and fraud? It seems clear to me, that if millions of dollars are going out of the United States each year to scams and fraud, that one way to help the current economy is to do more to battle this issue.

I encourage all of you do share your thoughts also, by filling out the form here
http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/takeaction/index.cfm?ID=489&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_term=submit&utm_campaign=regaliacall

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Fan Page on Facebook

We just started a fan page for Scam Victims United.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scam-Victims-United/130347739735?ref=mf
Please join and tell your friends.

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

More scam emails

Subject:GOD BLESS
Date:9/10/2009 1:57:44 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From:bettylawson@earthlink.net
Reply To:rowwllms@gmail.com


My name is Mrs.Betty Lawson I was diagnosedof cancer 2 years ago, I have decided to donate the sum of $5.5 million to you for the good work of the lord. Contact my lawyer with this email
Peter J. Wallace
rowwllms@gmail.com

Quote my personal reference number tsd/08/ikg/91
I wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly, and please use the funds well and always extend the good work to others I don't know you but I have been directed to do this.
Thanks and God bless.
Regards,
Betty Lawson

Mystery Shopper Scam email

Here is a Mystery Shopper Scam email that I found in my Spam folder.


Subject:MYSTERY SHOPPER NEEDED IN YOUR AREA
Date:9/10/2009 6:26:15 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From:jobs@mysteryshopper.com
Reply To:mysteryshopper@dowdles.org

"We have a mystery shopping assignment in your area and we would like you to participate"Secret Shopper® is accepting applications for qualified individuals to become mystery shoppers. It's fun and rewarding, and you choose when and where you want to shop. You are never obligated to accept an assignment. There is no charge to become a shopper and you do not need previous experience. After you sign up, you will have access to training materials via e-mail, fax or postal mail.

ABOUT US
Secret Shopper® is the premier mystery shopping company, serving clients across America and Canada with over 500,000 shoppers available and ready to help businesses better serve their customers. Continual investment in the latest internet and communication technologies coupled with over 16 years of know-how means working with Secret Shopper® is a satisfying and rewarding experience. Secret shopping as seen on ABC NEWS, NBC NEWS, L.A.TIMES. Stores and organizations such as The Gap, Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut, and Banks. One amongst many others pay for Secret Shoppers to shop in their establishments and report their experiences. On top of being paid for shopping you are also allowed to keep purchases for free. Secret Shopper® NEVER charge fees to the shopper. Training, tips for improvement, and shopping opportunities are provided free to registered shoppers. Mystery shoppers are either paid a pre-arranged fee for a particular shop, a reimbursement for a purchase or a combination of both. Secret Shopper® has availableThe assignment will pay $75 - $200.00 per duty, depends on the amount of assignment.Kindly Fill Out the application form below and we will get back to you shortly with the assignment:
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
First Name.................
Middle Name................
Last Name..................
Street Address.............
City, State, Zip Code......
Cell Phone Number..........
Home Phone Number..........
Age........................

We await your urgent response, Thank you for your help.
We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Thomas Bode
415 830 6195
Secret Shopper®

Lottery Scam Email

Here is a lottery scam email that I found in my spam folder


Subject:WINNING NOTIFICATION
Date:9/7/2009 7:42:17 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: info@comp.org
Reply To: mrpeterharrison@inMail24.com

West African Commission
Enterprise and Industry DG
Communication and Information Unit/R4
abj 13/ 092B - 1049 Abuja (Nigeria)

Released: 27th August, 2009.

We bring to your notice the decision by the board of trustees of The West African Union to choose you as one of the final recipients of a cash grant/donation for your own personal, educational, and business development (SME funding).

To promote growth and creating new jobs in the West African economy, We are giving out a yearly donation to 100 lucky recipients who have been selected from random websites all over the globe,as funding/aid from the West African Union,AfricanCommission, and the United Nations in accordance with enabling acts of Parliament.

Your Confirmable International Certified Bank Draft of $1.200,000.00 One million Two Hundred United States Dollars Have Been Deposited with the CARDINAL SECURITY SERVICES And For your information, We have paid for the delivery Charges, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.

The only money you will send to the CARDINAL SECURITY SERVICES to deliver your Draft direct to your postal Address in yourcountry is ($175 USD) Dollars only being Security Keeping Fee of the Cardinal security Company so far for keeping the draft till date. Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $175 US Dollars.

For detailed information, please contact paying office

Name: Mr. Peter Harrison
E-mail: mrpeterharrison@inMail24.com
Telephone: +234 802 313 2389

Remember to quote your identification numbers. Find your identificationnumbers below:

BATCH NUMBER: WA-09102XN
UNIQUE NUMBER: AF09788

Note that these numbers fall within your location file.
Thank you and accept my congratulations once again!

MRS. JOAN MARY
Information Officer and Coordinator,
West Africa Resources Network © 2009

FBI Scam Email

This one made me laugh . . . look at the email address it was sent from! When did the FBI start using gmail as their main email account?

Subject: Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) ***ATTENTION***
Date: 9/6/2009 5:03:45 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: fbi.Washingtondc8040316@gmail.com
Reply To: dynamiclaw2@windowslive.com

ATTENTION
This is an official advice from the FBI foreign Remittance / telegraphic department; it has come to our notice that the Central Bank of Nigeria district has released 10,500.000.00 US dollars into Bank of America in your name as the beneficiary by inheritance means.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) knowing that they do not have enough facilities to effect this payment from the United Kingdom to your account used what we know as a “Secret Diplomatic Transit Payment” (S.T.D.P) to pay this fund through wire transfer, they used this means to complete the payment.

They are still waiting for confirmation from you on the already transferred fund which was made in direct transfer so that they can do final crediting to your account. Secret Diplomatic Payments are not made unless the funds are related to terrorist activities. The question is, why must your transfer be made through Secret Transfer if your transaction is legitimate. If you are not a terrorist why did you not receive the money directly into your account? This is a “MERE-CODED” means of payment! Records which we have had with this method of payment in the past has always been related to terrorist acts, we do not want you to get into trouble as soon as these funds reflect in your account in the U.S.A. so it is our duty as a worldwide commission to correct this little problem before this fund will be credited into your personal account.

Due to the increased difficulty and necessary security by the American authorities when funds come from outside Europe and the Middle East, the F.B.I bank commission for Europe has stopped the transfer on its way to your account so to debit your reserve account and pay you through a Secured Diplomatic Transit Account (S.D.T.A). We govern and oversee funds transfer for the World Bank and the rest of the world.

We advise you to contact us immediately, as the funds have been Stopped and are being held in our custody until you can be able to provide us with a Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer (DIST) within 5 days from the world local bank that authorized the transfer to certify that this money that you are about to receive from Nigeria is for the support of any Terrorist Activity and is Drug free or we shall have cause to cross and impound the payment. We shall release the money immediately we receive this legal document from you.We have decided to contact you directly to acquire the proper verifications and proof from you to show that you are the rightful person to receive this fund because of the amount involved. We want to make sure it is clean and legal money. Be informed that your money is now in United State in your name but right now we have it placed on “HOLD” under our custody in the bank and would not be released to anybody that comes to them unless we ask them to do so because we have to carry out our investigations first before releasing the fund to you. Note that the fund is in the BANK OF AMERICA right now but we have asked them not to credit the fund to you yet because we need a solid proof and verification from you before releasing the fund.

So to this regard, you are to re-assure and proof to us that what you are about to receive is a clean money by sending to us a Diplomatic Immunity Seal of Transfer (DIST) to satisfy that the money your about to receive is legitimate and real money. You are to forward the documents to us immediately if you have it in your possession if you don’t have it let us know so that we will direct and inform you where to obtain the document from so that we will ask the bank holding the funds i.e. the Bank Of America to go ahead and credit your account.

These Document is to be issued to you from the world local bank that authorized the transfer, so get back to us immediately if you don’t have the document so that we will direct you to the particular place/office to obtain the document in Nigeria because we have come to realize that the fund was authorized by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

This condition is valid until 11th of SEPTEMBER 2009 after which we shall take actions on canceling the payment and then charge you for illegally moving funds out of Nigeria.

Guarantee: Fund(s) will be released on confirmation of the document.

NOTE: We have asked for the above documents to make available the most complete and up-to date records possible for the enhancement of public safety, welfare and security while recognizing the importance of individual privacy rights. If you fail to provide the Documents to us, we will charge you with the FBI and take our proper action against you for not proofing to us the legitimate of the fund you are about to receive.

The United States Department of Justice Order 556-73 establishes rules and regulations for the subject of an FBI Identification Record to obtain a copy of his or her own Record for review. The FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division processes these requests to check illegal activities in U.S.A.
ROBERT MUELLER, IIl

Vocabulary - Cashier's Check

Are the terms and vocabulary used by the employees of the bank confusing to you? You are not the only one. The average American is not fully aware of what the words used in banking conversations really mean, and in the examples below I am going to show you how the definitions of these terms differ depending on the source . . . Webster’s Dictionary, Banking Glossaries and real world usage.

Let’s start with the definition of a cashier’s check.

: a check drawn by a bank on its own funds and signed by the cashier

"cashier's check." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009.
Merriam-Webster Online. 2 September 2009<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cashier's check>

A bank-issued check, also called official check or treasurer's check, signed by
a bank officer and drawn against funds of the bank itself. A cashier's check is
generally regarded as good as cash.

"cashier's check." Business Dictionaries from AllBusiness.com. 2009.
http://www.allbusiness.com/glossaries/cashiers-check/4948626-1.html

A check drawn on the funds of the bank, not against the funds in a depositor's
account. However, the depositor paid for the cashier's check with funds from
their account. The primary benefit of a cashier's check is that the recipient of
the check is assured that the funds are available.

"cashier's check." Dictionary of Bank Terms and Phrases. 2009.
http://www.helpwithmybank.gov/dictionary/index.html#c

Knowing what we do about counterfeit cashier’s checks, the second two definitions are very misleading. One says that a cashier’s check is generally regarded as good as cash, and the other says that the recipient can be assured that the funds are available. Both of these statements would give people a false sense of security about the check, making them believe that they are valid checks. This is exactly why so many people become victims of Counterfeit Cashier’s Check Scams. In the minds of most Americans, a cashier’s check represents a valid and secure document to use, and they put their trust in that image of security.

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

I just found out that I am a scam victim . . . what do I do now?

I am asked this question many times, and because I was once a scam victim I can relate to the feeling of just finding out that you have been scammed. When we were scammed there was a lot less information out on the internet about scams and what to do. Because of this I spent many hours calling people or on the internet searching for where to report this information. Now we have all of that in one place for you at http://scamvictimsunited.com/resources_cashier's_check.htm

I would also suggest writing a summary of what happened to you. Include dates, times, names and locations. You can read my letter/summary at http://scamvictimsunited.com/our_story.htm

Get a notebook and keep track of everything that happens from this day forward in regards to this scam. Each time you speak with the bank, anything you agree to with the bank needs to be recorded and documented.

If you would like to help to educate others about these scams, contact your local media and try to get your story in the news.

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Report Online Scams | Scams, Frauds,Ripoff,Fraudster,Con-artist Reported Online

I was just introduced to a new website that I would like to share with you.

Report Online Scams Scams, Frauds,Ripoff,Fraudster,Con-artist Reported Online

This site was created by a group of men that were scammed and wanted to do something about it. I can relate to that, since that is why my husband and I created our site.


Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Lottery Scams

How the Lottery Scams works
A typical Lottery or Sweepstakes Scam begins with an email telling you that you have won a large amount of money, and giving you the name of a contact person or agent that you are supposed to work with in order to claim your money. The “lottery winner” will be told that they need to pay a processing fee in order to claim their winnings. For some, these scams become an addiction much like gambling. There is the promise of a large amount of money, and it feels like it is so close, that they continue to send the “agent” more and more money to cover all of the fictional fees and transfer charges.

In other variations, the “winner” will receive a check from the fake lottery agent. They will be told that the check is a partial payment on their winnings, and that to receive the remainder of the winnings they must cash the check and wire a portion of that check, for fees or charges, to the agent. From here, this variation follows the path of a typical Counterfeit Cashier’s Check Scam. The scam victim takes the check to the bank, deposits it and waits for the bank to tell them that the check is clear. Once they believe that the check is clear and has been verified as legitimate, the scam victim then wires the “fees” on to the agent. In about a week, the scam victim is contacted by their bank and told that the check is counterfeit and that they must return the money and are fully liable for the entire amount of the check.

The website http://www.thinkjessica.com/stories/jessica.htm tells the story of a victim of one of these scams.