PSA- BE VIGILANT

[u/OriginalRedMage]

Some asshole tried to scam me yesterday morning after seeing my posts here. That person is banned now, but it's like a hydra- nuke one scammer, two more grow in its place.

Do NOT give anyone your banking information, no matter how desperate you are, no matter what. There is no instance on God's green earth that requires one to give banking login info. If someone asks for this, it's a scam.

Do not mobile deposit anything someone sends you, especially cashier's checks. They are easily faked and if an offer comes with a request to send money back, IT'S A SCAM.

I hate to mention it but PayPal can also be involved in scams, as people will send money from a stolen account, have the recipient route most if it to the scammer, and when the original owner gets their PP back and (rightly) disputes the charges, guess who is responsible?

I can't say it enough- if a plan involves receiving money for and the sender is asking you to send a portion to another person through different means, run, don't walk, it's a scam!

People that prey on the desperate are scum, be safe out there.

[u/OogeyBoogie12]

For note, Email Interac Transfer is a thing in Canada and regularly used over Paypal and the alternatives. It's regulated by banks in Canada and is 100% safe. You'll see it come up as "EMT" in requests if it's applicable.

However, it only requires an email address and a personal password between the two parties. It does not require any more information.

[u/sadiegoose1377 → u/OogeyBoogie12]

Hearing that is safe is good to know, it’s too bad the process sounds a bit sketchy without that knowledge so I assume some people would be turned away.

[u/OogeyBoogie12 → u/sadiegoose1377]

It's pretty much standard for anyone under the age of 60 in Canada. Banks prefer you use it because they get a nominal fee ($1 - $2 or free, my credit union does free transfers) and it's completely safe.

1. Agreement between sender/receiver that X amount of money is being sent to Y email with password Z.
2. Sender logs into their online bank, manually adds the recipient, types in the receivers email, the designated password and the amount.
3. Receiver gets an email from the sender, clicks on it and takes them to a login portal where they choose from a list of banks that accept it.
4. Receiver logs into their online bank and puts in the agreed upon password. Receiver gets the money and sender gets a receipt of acceptance in their email.

edit: there's no purchase insurance for goods like PayPal (to my knowledge)

[u/backpackwayne]

And report these people to the administrators. The more reports, the more chance they will take action.

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Assistance/comments/bw5a39/what_to_do_when_you_get_an_unsolicited_pm_asking/

[u/kaismama]

This is going to get worse Over the holidays I bet, as people begin to get more and more desperate to give their families some Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.

[u/alyak1000]

If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

[u/plummuffins]

if someone is offering to send me a check for me to mobile deposit that’s a scam? i’m not sure what the safe methods are to accepting money then .. is there like an faq on here to help us with making sure we aren’t scammed?

i did offer my paypal to them

[u/OriginalRedMage → u/plummuffins]

Offering PayPal email in order to receive = ok

Offering PayPal login info = NO

Accepting a check comes with risk due to how check clearing works in the USA, federal regs state the maximum time period that a check can be legally held and cashier's checks are considered "official checks" and federally banks must make funds available within two business days. Fraudsters rely on this, because it can take quite some time if the check is drawn on an actual account but the account info is stolen

This scam works because mobile check deposit doesn't rely on normal check antifraud measures- the MICR line is read yes but it isn't scanned like you would see when you physically cash a check. These fake cashier's checks are printed at home, anyone can do it, but unless you use special ink the check won't be scannable, so they rely on mobile deposit

[u/[deleted] → u/plummuffins]

Most people do not use checks now a day. And I dont take checks unless I know the person personally. I accept PayPal, cash and postal money orders. And if needed, my etsy shop. If they insist on a check, tell them you will hold it for up to 30 days to ensure ot wont bounce. Most people wo t wait and find an alternative to paying you or cancel the sale. As the seller, you have the power to choose your payment method to protect yourself first.

[u/emmawiththehonda → u/[deleted]]

Oh that’s what those are. I found them so odd and a little creepy, just messages like “I want to help you”. I’m guessing that’s not a reportable thing- as the scam didn’t get going?

[u/OriginalRedMage → u/emmawiththehonda]

That in and of itself is probably not grounds to report.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Payments can return up to months or even a year later. Never accept money from a third party you don’t know or it’s at risk of never being actual funds.

[u/Denimed]

I put up a request here to please check out an eBay store my wife and I run and I got a few messages from 0 karma folks saying they were interested in helping, no other information. Like dropping a worm on a hook to see if I'd bite. I didn't even bother replying to those. Please be careful everyone. Things get hard, things might look hopeless, but don't jump feet first into a bad gamble where they can take away everything else that's left!

[u/DontFrackMeBro → u/Denimed]

IDK...I might contact and pretend to bite. See what happens. REport them to people. Make it public. It's not cool really. Preying on people who can't afford to e preyed upon.

[u/amythystia]

I had the same person try to scam me. I gave them a dead account and it pissed him off to no end when he couldn't do anything with it or get any info.

[u/[deleted]]

Exactly! Had to report someone as well. Just be smart, and stick to the regular methods if you're asking for help. AND YES. IT IS ALWAYS OK TO ASK THE MODS IF YOU'RE NOT SURE. Good luck everyone. I love seeing the success stories on here, beyond the scams.

[u/DontFrackMeBro]

Thanks for the good PSA. I just hit a scam as well. Kind of shit desperate financial situation...offered to pay off credit cards. Twitter Philanthropy. I think it's all a scam. IDK...just feels weird. You want to think the best of people....and then thy want to scam the most vulnerable of people.

[u/aussie_rose]

it’s like a hydra- nuke one scammer, two more grow in its place.

Sounds like the very definition of this sub

[u/[deleted]]

Also be careful of PayPal in general. Right now they are on a high for denying legit claims. You can bypass them and go straight to your bank to get a resolution. Be careful everyone. It seems that people are being less honest.

[u/OriginalRedMage → u/[deleted]]

I'm not a PayPal fan at all, they have a distressing tendency to hold funds for unreasonably long periods.

[u/WrecklessDecadence]

Someone came after me today. They found me In this group as well.

[u/OriginalRedMage → u/WrecklessDecadence]

Report that trash.

[u/WrecklessDecadence → u/OriginalRedMage]

I blocked them. I don’t know how to report

[u/OriginalRedMage → u/WrecklessDecadence]

You can't do it thru the app i don't think, but here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/help/comments/7blkhq/how_can_i_report_a_user_to_reddit_admins/

[u/WrecklessDecadence → u/OriginalRedMage]

Thank you. I wasn’t sure what to do.

[u/LGJAlbee89]

i'm so , sorry.

[u/HeyRiks]

I never got that with Paypal. I mean, regardless of the account being stolen, the actual transaction between them is legit. In case of fraud, the person who didn't get their account stolen is the one left to bear the loss? Unlike with stolen goods you can't actually verify the account is being used by the proper holder.

[u/[deleted]]

FTC.gov - wealth of info on scams.

[u/Saint_Dogbert]

Same, fortunately I could smell the con a mile away. And reported them to the MODs

[u/BeApurpleFox]

My autistic younger brother (28) Is often fallen prey to these sleezebag scams. I have had to become durable power of attorney over his finances and a secondary on his bank account. I don't push it in his face, nor forced him to allow me to have this level of security in his finances... He agreed to only allowing me to protect him from outside threats because mom would be far more detrimental. I'm the safer easier route in his eyes.

[u/tossersonrye]

There are so many people willing to give someone a helping hand but think twice because of the arsehole piss-artists. It's very sad.

[u/[deleted]]

I was seeking help my self, and some one was trying to scam me. I unfortunately got scammed out of 4000 dollars in July so obviously my flags were up.

It's truly sad when some one is seeking help and there s people who take advantage of you when your on a desperate state of mind sigh sad...