Crooks use real names for scams online
John Pynn says his business, All Time Moving in Roseville, Mich., has been pretty steady, not great, as he only handles local moves and does not go out of state.
“A lot of people are downsizing, moving their stuff to storage,” said Pynn, 47. “It ain’t like the ’80s when people were moving to Macomb Township.”
So while Pynn appreciates when the phone rings, he hates hearing from people in Arizona, Missouri or Texas who think he’s the guy who has their new car or truck.
“Where do we pick up our Jeep?” asked one caller a few months ago. “One lady started crying, she can’t believe it.”
Pynn has to be the guy who tells them he doesn’t have any Jeep or the $3,500 that they supposedly wired to someone.
Pynn’s business has become a victim of cyber crooks.
A scam artist might advertise what sounds like a pretty good deal on a used car or boat and mention the name of a real transportation company.
Consumers who are shopping online for a deal need to realize that sometimes cyber crooks try to make their shady operation appear to be on the up-and-up by using a legitimate name, according to Tim Burns, public affairs director for the Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Michigan.
“We are seeing these business identities literally hijacked by scam artists,” Burns said.
The shoppers don’t really verify who they’re dealing with and then wire the money.
“The person loses their money, the legitimate company’s reputation is hurt and the scam artist walks away a little richer,” Burns said.
“A lot of times the car doesn’t even exist.”
This scam is also used for advance- fee loan, mortgage and credit rip-offs, too.
The con artist can go online to find the name of a legitimate broker or financial adviser who could credibly provide such a service.
Consumers need to be wary when buying furniture, too.
Burns said another outfit, Surplus-Furniture.com, is using the good name and physical address of Ashley Furniture Homestore of LaGrange, Ga.
The BBB has confirmed that Ashley Furniture has nothing to do with this Internet offering.
Western Union warns online:
• Never send money to a stranger using a money-transfer service.
• Beware of deals or opportunities that seem too good to be true.
• Don’t use money-transfer services to pay for things like online auction purchases.
• Never send money to pay for taxes or fees on foreign lottery winnings.
• Never send a money transfer, in the name of a friend or relative, with the intention of changing the name to someone you have not met personally.
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