Shay Consulting
Internet Scams

Internet scams are on the rise and everyone needs to be informed about what to look for.

In 2007, of the 206,884 complaints received, more than 90,000 were referred to law enforcement around the nation.  Amounting to nearly $240 million in reported losses. That’s up $40 million from 2006.

This information is from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which is a partnership between the FBI, Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National White Collar Crime Center.

This is the place where you want to go to file a complaint, if you think you have been a victim of a scam.
 

• Never give personal banking information to anyone.
   

• If someone says they represent a foreign government official do not respond to their emails.
   

• If you are buying something and the seller only accepts wire transfers or cash, don't do it.
   

• Be careful of unsolicited offers.
   

• Before submitting your credit card number make sure you know the website is secure.  Make sure you type in the internet address or get it from your favorites list.  Never click on a link in an email you have received, even if it looks like its from the company/bank you are doing business with.
   

• Never through away credit card or bank statements in readable form.
   

• Be very careful when dealing with people outside of your own country.
   

• Beware if you are asked to ship packages to another country.

• Auction Fraud

• Counterfeit Cashier's Check

• Credit Card Fraud

• Debt Elimination

• DHL/UPS

• Employment/Business Opportunities

• Escrow Services Fraud

• Identity Theft

• Internet Extortion

• Investment Fraud

• Lotteries

• Ponzi/Pyramid

• Reshipping

• Spam

• Third Party Receiver of Funds