Scams come in all shapes and sizes promising the world and delivering nothing. They are also constantly changing. The old adage says it best: if it's too good to be true, it probably is. The best defense is to educate yourself on what to look for in a scam. Here are just a few ways to help you sniff out a bad deal:
When They Call, Tell Them They are Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Telephone credit card scams are a dime a dozen. Callers offer free gifts for credit card holders in exchange for a little information. If they ask to validate your credit card number, hang up. Or if they inform you that your credit card has been used fraudulently, and then they ask for the code on the back of your card, say good-bye!
This Friend in Need is No Friend Indeed
The "Helping a Friend" scam involves a person making "friends" with you over the Internet. This friend works your emotions and asks for your help to get money to a third person, often outside of the United States (typically Canada, England or Africa). You're sent money orders or checks and are asked to deposit funds and wire a portion to a third party. For your trouble, your "friend" will let you keep some. Yeah, right!
Work-at-Home and Become a Bajillionaire
Keep your day job. Many times these scams are found in magazine and newspaper advertisements requiring "no experience necessary." One characteristic common to these schemes is that you are required to invest or send away money before you can start working.
Investment Always Equals Risk
This promotion offers a unique investment opportunity with "high returns for very little risk." It is often only available to "a very few investors" and it demands consumers make very quick decisions. These investments frequently don't exist at all, and investors lose all their hard earned savings.
For more recent scams you can go to
www.fakechecks.org.