August 23rd, 2007 6:34 PM by Sam Kader
Beware if you received some of these schemes in your email or mail:
1. Lotto winnings. A letter congratulated you on winning a lotto that you never entered and enclosed is a cashier's check to cover your initial costs to obtain your winning. The instructions tell you to deposit the check, keep some of the money and wire the rest to a foreign account. Days later, you found out that the check was invalid and your account was debited the wired amount.
2. Overpayment. You are selling you merchandise over the internet on eBay. Someone sends you an official check to pay you for the goods for more than the asking price. The scammer feigns an excuse and asks you to wire back the difference. By the time you find out the the check was invalid, you've lost the money you sent plus your goods.
How to prevent yourself:
Where to report for fraudulent activities: