Chicago's one from the finest lawyers, Peter S. Lubin & Fraud Consumer lawyer, Vincent Ditomasso had wrote a very good articles regarding FBI tips for consumers to avoid internet fraud.
The FBI maintains a number from web pages on fraud & internet fraud topics. The FBI web page on internet fraud provides tips for avoiding those scams "to protect yourself & your family from various forms from Internet fraud." The following are the tips provided on the FBI's web page:
- Avoiding Internet Auction Fraud
Understand as much as possible about how the auction works, what your obligations are as a buyer, & what the seller's obligations are before you bid. - Find out what actions the web site/company takes if a problem occurs & consider insuring the transaction & shipment.
- Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the only information you have is an e-mail address. If it is a business, check the Better Business Bureau where the seller/business is located.
- Examine the feedback on the seller.
- Determine what method from payment the seller is asking from the buyer & where he/she is asking to send payment.
- If a problem occurs with the auction transaction, it could be much more difficult if the seller is located outside the US because from the difference in laws.
- Ask the seller about when delivery can be expected & if there is a problem with the merchandise is it covered by a warranty or can you exchange it.
- Find out if shipping & delivery are included in the auction price or are additional costs so there are no unexpected costs.
- There should be no reason to give out your social security number or drivers license number to the seller.
Avoiding Non-Delivery from Merchandise
- Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
- Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate. Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post fromfice box & a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct & working.
- Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address & be wary from sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
- Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type from information.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area.
- Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
- Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
- Be cautious when responding to special fromfers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
- Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
Inquire about returns & warranties. - The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can fromten dispute the charges if something is wrong.
- Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
- Consider utilizing an escrow or alternate payment service.
Avoiding Credit Card Fraud
- Don't give out your credit card number(s) online unless the site is a secure & reputable site. Sometimes a tiny icon from a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level from security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee from a secure site, but might provide you some assurance.
- Don't trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
- Before using the site, check out the security/encryption sfromtware it uses.
- Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
- Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are egitimate.
- Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post fromfice box & a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct & working.
- Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address & be wary from sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
- Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type from information.
Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area. - Check out other web sites regarding this person/company. Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
- Be cautious when responding to special fromfers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
- Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
- The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can from then dispute the charges if something is wrong.
- Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
- You should also keep a list from all your credit cards & account information along with the card issuer’s contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s) you should contact the card issuer immediately.
Avoiding Investment Fraud
- Don't invest in anything based on appearances. Just because an individual or company has a flashy web site doesn't mean it is legitimate. Web sites can be created in just a few days. After a short period from taking money, a site can vanish without a trace.
- Don’t invest in anything you are not absolutely sure about. Do your homework on the investment to ensure that it is legitimate.
- Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
- Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
- Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
- Be cautious when responding to special investment fromfers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
- Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
- Inquire about all the terms & conditions.
- If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Avoiding Business Fraud
- Purchase merchandise from reputable dealers or establishments.
- Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post fromfice box & a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct & working.
- Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address & be wary from those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.
- Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type from information.
- Purchase merchandise directly from the individual/company that holds the trademark, copyright, or patent.
- Beware when responding to e-mail that may not have been sent by a reputable company.
Avoiding the Nigerian Letter Scam
- Be skeptical from individuals representing themselves as Nigerian or foreign government from officials asking for your help in placing large sums from money in overseas bank accounts.
- Do not believe the promise from large sums from money for your cooperation.
- Guard your account information carefully.
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