[SFDXA] Scams Alarm Bells

[Bill]

------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Scams Alarm Bells

William D. Mauldin (WG4R) <http://www.eham.net/user/profile/WG4R> on May 
6, 2013
View comments about this article! 
<http://www.eham.net/articles/29923#comments>

I recently posted a "wanted" listing. In less than 24 hours I get a 
response from "a ham" who is listed in QRZ.com with a yahoo.com e-mail 
address... making me a dream of an offer! Wow! I'm impressed... OR am I? 
If a deal is too good to be true, it is probably a scam.

When dealing with another ham, as you know, most deals are in the open 
and there is no problem as details are available on request. In my case, 
the selling "ham" did not have "command" of the English language and his 
message was very brief, poorly written, offered no details about the 
item, and quoted a price way below what the item would normally sell for.

((( Alarm Bells! )))

Always beware of any poorly written message using poor e-mail format, 
and watch for strange language and incorrect spellings.

In checking the seller e-mail address on QRZ, the address checked out. 
(Remember, e-mail addresses are hijacked every day... so don't relax and 
send money quite yet.) I responded that the price was acceptable and 
asked how he would like payment. (I prefer to use a credit card via 
PayPal for the payment so you can get your money back if things aren't 
as expected... you have 30 days or so depending on your credit card.) 
The use of a postal money order, a cashier's check, and Western Union 
always adds risk, especially Western Union.

A couple of hours later, I get a second message. Again, poorly written 
in poor e-mail format with a few spelling problems... and this time the 
message is from another address using the call sign of another ham at 
"zozo.com" This email says I should make the payment by postal money 
order and mail it to an unrelated name at an address in another state. 
The name did not match the call letters used in the return address. ((( 
Alarm Bells! ))) (Go to the web and put in the name and dot com on the 
e-mail account. If it is an unknown name, see where it is located and 
what kind of services they offer.)

In checking the call used on the second e-mail, the call doesn't match 
the name of the ham shown in QRZ.com ((( Alarm Bell ))). The QRZ.com 
listing of the real ham's e-mail shows there is no e-mail listed. (The 
scammers have done their home work... the call is listed to a ham with 
NO e-mail address shown and who has no phone listed in 411.info (which 
is a free service). ((( Alarm Bell! )))

Look at the headers of the incoming messages and see what they tell you. 
There is a ton of information in a header. All e-mail has a "header" 
before the text you normally see. It is there. Find it and take a long, 
hard look and make as much sense out of it as you can. Print out the 
message and the header and keep it until the deal is done and you are 
satisfied.

Go to maps.goodle.com and put in the ship to or payment address. Is it a 
UPS store or other "drop box" location? In my case... in my case, I 
looked at the physical address in maps.google.com, and there is a house 
at the address, BUT in checking it out further, the name to be placed on 
the money order doesn't match. ((( Alarm Bell )))

A quick call to the local police of the buyer or seller, to make an 
inquiry about the address in question is always a good idea when you 
have doubt... just ask who lives at the address and explain why you are 
asking.

I wrote the initial responding "ham" and asked about the relation 
between him and the "ham" who was supposed to receive the money order, 
and added in some questions about the item I wanted to buy... such as 
the serial number, if he was the original owner, and other things that 
most hams would know or be able to look up...such as the voltage of the 
wall wart power supply, and so far there has been NO response. I don't 
expect any. ((( ALARM BELL )))

Always get phone numbers, street addresses, and ask questions... and 
then use the information on the web to check out AND VERIFY the other 
person and his information. To get your money or your package, they must 
have a physical address. That is the weak link in a scam. If something 
is missing or doesn't match-up, pass up the deal.

Be sure in dealing with "suites" or "apartment" numbers that you are not 
dealing with a "drop box" in some mailbox store. Get the zip plus four 
numbers and run it through the usps.com website where you can often 
learn about the actual address, then map it on google and see what is 
actually there.

If you still have doubts about an address and think it may be a mask for 
a "drop box" you can always ask for the "apartment manager's phone 
number" so you can verify that he is willing to sign for a package OR a 
money order that you plan to send by REGISTERED MAIL. A few extra cents 
can save your money and your butt, trust me. Make sure the phone number 
shows in 411.info (a free service) and that it is not a cell phone of 
the seller's buddy. Never ship to "a friend's address..." Request and 
GET signatures on delivery if you are in the least uncomfortable.

If you get taken, contact the local police in the address town and the 
security people with the service you are using, USPS, UPS, FedEx and so 
on. Ask how to file a report and follow through on it. Postal inspectors 
love street addresses as they can normally track someone down. Have and 
keep tons of information to give law enforcement. Keep all of the 
e-mails with the header information, as this is always helpful.

As a retired law enforcement officer, I hope this is helpful to the 
honest buyers and sellers in our hobby. If you have ANY reservations 
about a deal, just pass it up. It isn't the only one out there. 
Remember, it is much easier to say "I'll pass..." than to say, "Give me 
my money back..." and find out you have been taken.

Full Article with comments:
http://www.eham.net/articles/29923