Reporting Internet Scams - Tell us Your Story

In 2002 my husband and I became victims of a counterfeit cashier's check scam while selling a car online. The main reason that we fell for it was because when we took the check to the bank they told us that it was good . . . one week later they were taking back those words AND taking money out of our account to cover the check.

So what did we do? We started the website http://scamvictimsunited.com/ to share our story, educate others and offer support to scam victims. We have a message board where people can share their stories and post info on their scammers.

We are now also connecting with people on social networking sites like Facebook through our fan page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scam-Victims-United/130347739735?ref=mf

We also share new info with people through our blog at http://scamvictimsunited.blogspot.com/ When something comes up in our every day life that relates to scams, it is nice to have a place where we can share this. We also post scam emails that we get so that others will be able to see them and know how to spot a scam. Also, if someone else gets the same email and searches any of the info in it (name of company, email address it came from) they will often be taken right to our blog or our message board and then they will know that it is a scam before it is too late for them.

All of this may not get our money back, but in the first two years of our site being in operation we helped to stop over 2 million dollars from going into these scams, and that does make you feel a little better.

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of Scam Victims United

Rex, thanks for your comment. SafeList.com will be beta-launched shortly, and we're inviting people to help us test it - in exchange, individuals get free lifetime access to the site, and businesses get the first year of access free (a $49.95 value). The first 3000 people to register will be invited to participate once we open the beta.

The biggest difference between SafeList and other classifieds sites is verified identity - you can still have an anonymous username on SafeList, and YOU choose how much or how little of your personal information you want to display in your profile, but every user will have their real identity verified by SafeList before they are allowed to post on the site. We can't guarantee the total physical safety and security of our users, but we can provide a much safer environment, where users have a high level of trust for others in the community. Verified identity will also scare away users who just want to do the "bait and switch" you mention - it's too much work for scammers and spammers who can do it so much more easily elsewhere.

Bob, I understand your frustration - as classifieds users become better educated and more aware of the fact that there are alternatives available, scammers will have a harder time plying their trade.

I posted earlier on August 14th. I'm still looking for an apartment online and running into the same "rental scam". It really angers me that people are actually being duped into sending money to these criminals. They prey on the trusting and innocent and it's sick.

Bob S.

This sure seems like an interesting concept. Tried to go to this blog's main website but was not able to see anything. What is the deal behind the registration/invitation process? Can someone elaborate on the website's features and how they differ from other classifieds sites? The name certainly inspires confidence.

The problem I've often had with other classifieds website is "bait and switch". Either it is a very efficient website and items sell within minutes of posting, or the real intention is to capture your email address so they can sell you something else.

Rex

I have been looking for an apartment to rent on Craigslist and twice have had what looked like attractive deals turn out to be vicious scams. Big waste of time and energy, not to mention personal disappointment. I welcome Safelist.

Bob S.