Be it a Jamaican Prince who needs
your help or the guy on the streets who does magic tricks, we all fall for what
appears mind blowing. Sometimes you look at someone who has been a victim of a
scam as pathetic. You may think how can someone fall into something which is so
obvious a trap? But you never know of the numerous scams out there that you
would have not even heard of. Reporting scams of this sort are less than you
might imagine, as many folks realize very late that they have been conned. This
guide briefs about certain never-heard-of miscellaneous scams which have to be
brought into the limelight to generate awareness.
1.
Payment
processing scam
If you are desperate for some
extra cash, then payment processing jobs can be appealing to you. You would be
asked to process a payment from one bank account into another through your
account. You would also receive a juicy commission for doing the same. You
would believe that it is completely legitimate. But you are actually made a
carrier of funds, thus assisting international criminals to transfer the funds
that were stolen by a bank fraud or any other scam. If you are caught, you
might be convicted to a prison punishment. Reporting scams of this sort can be done by contacting your local police or raising an online cyber crime complaint.
2.
Ghost
broking scam
You could fall victim to a ghost
broking scam if you are looking for a cheap car or home insurance. When your
old policy comes to the stage of renewal and you are looking for a cheap
insurance, you could probably contact a broker for getting the best deal. You
also pay upfront for it. It is a ghost broking activity where there is no
actual policy behind.
In this case, you can research
about the broker in the Insurer’s Bureau which is specific to your country.
Also beware about brokers who give you catchy discounts. Reporting scamsto
insurance companies are the best to avoid such scams.
3.
Check
Fraud
Every year, a huge amount of
money is taken by criminals who manipulate checks. Frauds steal genuine checks
and forge your signature. They also alter the amount and the payee’s name or
create a counterfeit check from genuine checks.
To stop them, draw lines across
all unused space in a check. Also end the amount with a back slash and a hyphen
symbol, so that the amount is not manipulated. Use gel pens or light tipped
ball point pens, so that your signature impression is not created in the fresh
check pages underneath. When you send the check via mail wrap it up in a paper
and then slip it into the envelope, so that it is not obvious that it is a
check. Reporting scams to your bank, in case if your check has not been
received by the recipient is the best solution to stop the transaction from the
bank’s end.
4.
Anti-virus
software
It is a bigger virus than the
actual virus. Always purchase only standard and proven anti-virus software and
never go for unheard names.
5.
Boiler
room scams
These scams make you purchase
shares of companies which you have never heard of. You get a call from a
salesperson of a prestigious sounding company name and you will be convinced to
invest on land, business or some rare sounding metal which is available only in
specific regions of the world. You will also be promised big amount as returns.
Most of the times, your
investment once made doesn’t exist. Even if it exists, it is worthless. You
will also not be able to withdraw your money by selling the shares.
Hence, always invest only on
firms which are valid. Reporting scams of this nature would help others from
falling into such traps.
As far as money issues are
concerned, always keep your eyes and ears wide open and be careful about each
and every penny you put forth as an investment or purchasing an item. Your hard
earned money could be completely robbed within seconds, due to your
carelessness. Reporting scams also creates awareness among the public and
raises the caution alert sign.
