Don't Be a Victim

Click here to view an actual occurance of fraud perpetrated against a would-be Horizon Properties renter. This link takes you to a pdf which contains the unedited emails that ALMOST resulted in one of our renters becoming a victim. Look for the icon above and hover over it to read a description of the type of trick employed and how to defeat it. You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules: DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts. NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer. FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later. NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.) AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION. Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts? FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357) FTC online complaint form (http://www.ftc.gov) Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501 Internet Fraud Complaint Center (http://www.ic3.gov) Non-emergency number for your local police department. Taken from Craigslist.org 12 November 2008