Clever Scammers Put Your Money at Risk

According to Javelin Research, there has been a 12% decrease in identity fraud since 2006, largely due to increased consumer awareness. However, reports on new scams with complicated twists reach us daily, so it's important to
stay informed.

Today's scammers frequently rely on the Internet, telephone and e-mail to defraud others. The FBI provides the following information to help you avoid fraud.

Don't Get Ripped Off!
According to the FBI, if you can answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you could be involved in a FRAUD or about to be SCAMMED.

• Is the CHECK from an item you sold on the Internet, such as a car, boat, jewelry, etc.?
• Is the amount of the CHECK more than the item's selling price?
• Did you receive the CHECK via an overnight delivery service?
• Is the CHECK drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product?
• Have you been informed that you were the winner of a SWEEPSTAKES or LOTTERY you didn’t enter?
• Have you been instructed to "WIRE," "SEND" or "SHIP" money as soon as possible to a large U.S. city or to another country?
• Have you been asked to PAY money to receive a deposit from another country, such as Canada, England or Nigeria?
• Are you receiving PAY or a COMMISSION for facilitating money transfers through your account?
• Did you respond to an e-mail requesting you to CONFIRM, UPDATE or PROVIDE your account information?

To read the FBI's list of recent scams, or to report a possible Internet fraud, visit www.fbi.gov.

Source: www.fbi.gov