Scam updates

If you are suspicious about an advert, an enquiry from a buyer, or requests from a seller please let us know at the earliest opportunity at fgsupport@ubm.com
The following notes are intended to highlight some of the common scams and some guidance to avoid them.

AVOIDING SCAMS

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

If something is being offered for sale at a much cheaper price than you would expect then ask yourself why. Make sure a seller has a valid address and telephone number and be very wary of requests payments to be made upfront. Also be cautious about giving away private information or unnecessary details and don’t get drawn in by a sense urgency to complete the transaction to secure a sale.

AVOIDING FRAUDULENT BUYERS

Export scams

One of the most common online scams is where sellers are encouraged to transfer ‘shipping fees’ to buyers abroad. The scam usually involves a fraudster convincing sellers they genuinely want to buy, sending a fake cheque/bankers draft to cover the cost before insisting on money for “shipping fees”.

The scenarios vary, but usually follow this pattern:

• The “buyer” arranges for a cheque to be sent from a third party to the seller for the asking price of the car – plus extra to cover the cost of shipping abroad
• The seller pays the cheque into their bank and is pressured by the fraudster into sending the “shipping fee”abroad immediately via a legitimate electronic money transfer company
• A few days later, the seller will be informed by the bank that the cheque was a fake
• The seller hears no more from the fraudster
• Alternatively:
  the buyer offers to send cheque/bankers draft for the full asking price plus the shipping fee. As soon as client pays cheque in the shipping(?) company collect the item and the seller pays the shipper direct believing buyer's money is in his account to cover it. The fraudster then cancels bankers draft. Shipping company has item, plus cheque from the seller - seller has no item and a hole in his current account to the tune of shipping

We are aware of a number of sellers who have been contacted in this way, but generally the emails are easy to spot.

Typically they will:

• Be poorly written, or look as though they’re being sent in bulk with the seller’s details pasted in
• Encourage sellers to use money transfer services
• Originate from webmail accounts, such as Yahoo or Hotmail

If you receive an email which you believe to be from a fraudster:

• Forward it fgsupport@ubm.com
• Forward it to the abuse department of the sender’s email provider
• Do not respond

AVOIDING FRAUDULENT SELLERS

Be cautious if:

• the item being advertised is much cheaper than its market value
• If a seller cannot give you a landline telephone number
• If the advert or subsequent emails are full of spelling mistakes and poor grammar

Look out for sellers/adverts where:

• The phone number is either faulty or always diverting to voicemail
• During email correspondence, the seller says they are unable to use the phone because they are away on business or always travelling etc
• you are asked to wire a large deposit or the full price before the seller then creates an excuse to avoid releasing the item telling you to transfer more money or becoming impossible to contact
  

Text message/premium rate scam

Be wary of text messages expressing an interest in your item, with excuses as to why they can’t call. Check any numbers you’re asked to call and avoid premium rate lines.
Premium rate numbers typically begin with ‘090’ or ‘091’. The cost of calls varies but can cost several pounds per minute, with calls from mobiles costing more. Most landline numbers in the UK begin with an ‘01’ or ‘02’ while all UK mobile phone numbers currently begin with ‘077’ ‘078’ or ‘079.’

What to do?

PhonepayPlus regulates the content and promotion of premium rate services in the UK. It investigates complaints and has the power to fine companies. If you receive a text message asking you to phone a premium rate number, contact the free PhonepayPlus helpline on 0800 500 212. Alternatively, you can make a complaint to PhoneplayPlus or check a premium rate number.

PAYMENTS

Making a Payment:

Never wire money abroad or pay a large deposit and don’t hand over money until you’ve seen the item and are satisfied it and the seller are genuine.

Taking payment:

• Cash – ask for the cash to be handed to you in a bank, where the notes can be checked for forgeries and paid in immediately
• Cheques – never let the buyer take an item until the funds have appeared in your bank
• Bank drafts – contrary to common belief, they’re not guaranteed and can be cancelled, so treat them as a personal cheque
• Online bank transfers are one of the safest ways to pay

GENERAL ONLINE SECURITY

Protect your PC

• Ensure security software is up-to-date, including anti-virus protection, anti-spyware software and a firewall
• Set a secure password for your wi-fi connection using a combination of letters and numbers
• Block spam emails and use an up-to-date web browser
• Encrypt your wireless network to protect against eavesdroppers and freeloaders

Protect your identity and privacy:

• Avoid identity theft by using an up-to-date web browser and blocking bogus emails with a spam filter
• Use a secure password, with a mix of words, letters, numbers and punctuation, and avoid using names of loved ones or other easy-to-guess passwords
• Be careful about the personal information you give away online (such as on blogs and social networking sites)

What to do if you think you’re a victim

If you think you’ve been targeted by a fraudster, contact Farmers Guardian immediately fgsupport@ubm.com