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How to Avoid Scams and the Scammers Behind the
Attacks
| Follow these common-sense rules and avoid would-be scammers: |
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DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON
- follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on
FurnitureFindex.
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DON'T ACCEPT A CHECK FOR MORE THAN YOUR SELLING PRICE, no matter how tempting.
Ask the buyer to write the check for the correct amount. If the buyer refuses
to send the correct amount, return the check. Don’t send the merchandise.
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NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service -
anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
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FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND
THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.
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FURNITUREFINDEX IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle
payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer
protection" or "seller certification."
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NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security
number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
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AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER
WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.
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BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT OPENING ANY ATTACHMENT OR DOWNLOADING ANY FILES FROM EMAILS
you receive, regardless of who sent them. These files can contain viruses or
other software that can weaken your computer's security.
READ MORE FTC ADVICE
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| What are things that potentially fraudulent buyers/spammers
do? |
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Ask you to wire money into their account.
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Offer to send certified or cashiers check over and above any amount
required for purchase plus shipping. Buyer offers high-value (but fake)
cashier's check in exchange for your for sale item. The value of cashier's
check often far exceeds your item and the buyer asks you to wire the balance
via money transfer service. Banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN
HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR. Scam often involves a 3rd
party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money). We would strongly
discourage you from wiring money.
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Will not provide you a verifiable US telephone number.
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Place large orders to be sent to a foreign location.
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Say they will pay you half of what's due before they receive the item, and half
payment afterwards.
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Pay with an international credit card or cashier's check.
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Recommend an unfamiliar escrow or payment service.
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Use poor english.
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Request too much information.
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Appoint a shipping agent to collect the furniture and any overage from the
certified check in cash.
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| Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts? |
If you suspect that an item posted for sale on FurnitureFindex may be part of a
scam or feel a buyer is acting fraudulently, please contact
us or email the details to report@furniturefindex.com.
Be sure to include the URL, Item Number and/or the buyer's user name in your
message.
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