Internet Scams

Not all Internet scams are business opportunity related. There are endless schemes and methods that con you out of money. Some of the more recent ones involve apartment rentals and international friendships and dating. The apartment scheme is where you have listed an apartment or house for rent on the Internet. Someone from an international local responds saying they are looking for a place as they are, or their daughter/son is a student. After finding out the price of rent, they generously send you a full years payment in advance, by cheque of course. Shortly after, they call and say that unfortunately they will not be able to rent the place after all. They insist you keep the security deposit amount, but ask you to please send back the remaining year's worth of money they sent you. They helpfully give you instructions on how to wire it to them immediately. What you find out a few days after is that the cheque they sent you for the full year is bogus. You have just sent them your own hard earned money and have been a party to fraud.

The international friendship and dating scam is just as offensive, if not more personal. With all the social networking sites on the Internet, this scam is gaining in momentum and bilking many a lonely soul out of their money. You start chatting with a wonderful man/woman on your social site. They seem very sincere and likeable. Chances are they have an amazing picture of themselves. They are good looking. After some time of getting to know them on a personal basis, you recieve an email wherein they express a need for money. It may be a desperate situation or health related issue. You feel obligated to help out this "friend". You would feel like a jerk if you didn't. The other scenario is that they want to come and meet you but are lacking the funds or ticket. This one is used mainly on dating sites or marriage sites. You send them a ticket or money. They don't show up. Later, you find out the beautiful woman you were falling in love with is really a man named Earl who is forty two and has a long history of fraud.
To avoid these scams, you must do the same as you would to avoid business scams:

Never take a cheque from someone promising you work or an advance and deposit it to your account.

Never send money to someone you only know from emailing or social sites.

Don't believe pictures. Anyone can post any picture whether it is of big fancy cars, money or an incredibly good looking person. Seeing is NOT believing on the Internet.

Do not accept job offers from companies you haven't applied to on the Internet. If you get an email job offer be very suspicious.

Avoid clicking on links within emails. Fake sites and replicated sites can steal your credit card numbers, passwords and personal information.

Research companies, businesses and scams before signing up.

The Internet does and can lead to opportunities but it also is the fastest growing opportunity for fraud. Know what you are getting into before you give any information or money.