Email Scams

[Joe_Rocket]

Hey guys,

Just wondering is some of you have had similar experiences with all the email scams going on? I posted some stuff for sale recently on craigslist.com and recycler.com as I have done many times in the past.

For each separate ad I listed, I get multiple scam emails saying they have a friend or client who is interested in my item and that for arranging shipment of the item, they will pay a cashiers check with an extra fee for arranging the shipment. Some even go as far as saying they will pay you much more than the asking price for your trouble if you will ship and forward some money they "owe" their friend or client, who is out of the country.

Sometimes, they don't tell you all the details up front. They may just say they are interested, and get you exchanging emails back and forth with new details and questions. That happened to me the first time. It wasn't until the forth email, that the whole cashiers check came out. That was maybe a year ago... Of course I cut off communication, but man, I wish they could catch these guys.

So, it just seems to be getting worse. As soon as you list an ad, these scam emails start coming in right away. Dang, the internet is such a great thing for everyone... even the crooks.



Here is a sample of one that's easy to spot, where the guy spells it all out up front:




Hello Seller,
My name is xxxxx ,I have a client who is interested in buying your item,he informed me that the payment will be remmited via a cashiers check or a money order .In order to conclude the deal as soon as possible,the cashiers check that will be sent to you will include the money for the sales of your item and the shippers fees for organising a home pick up service.You do not need to worry as my shipping company will come to pick the item up from your base for shipment. What I want to clarify is that will you be able to send the shipping charges to the shipping agent through western union money transfer method as soon as you get and cash the check and you deduct the money for the sales of your item?If you agree to assist in this capacity kindly send your full name,address and your contact phone number with your price.

[AAW]

Hi. From someone who receives all SIX of the public email accounts for this company, I can tell you that not only do the Scams come through by the DOZEN each day, but the pornographic ones seem to be multiplying as well.

Sometimes cutomers write emails to us requesting help, and sometimes I'm fooled by the subject line of the email so when I preview it, I get an eyeful at 8am!

I wish there was a fool proof way to eliminate the unwanted emails, but since my email accounts are posted publicly, I guess it's not possible.

Today, I came in to 846 emails!!! :pat:

[JoshStratton]

Hi. From someone who receives all SIX of the public email accounts for this company, I can tell you that not only do the Scams come through by the DOZEN each day, but the pornographic ones seem to be multiplying as well.

What is that website name again. . . :bsjerk:

LOL a reason to use that Smiley!

:lmao:

[jy211]

I've had so many scam responses to my motorcycle ad....
I got tired of contacting Dupont about it....

IT's just out of control...but it keeps happening because people are still falling for it....

[wantahertzdonut]

It is incredibly annoying. But yes, it'll happen as long as people are still being had.

[derekf]

Sometimes cutomers write emails to us requesting help, and sometimes I'm fooled by the subject line of the email so when I preview it, I get an eyeful at 8am!

I wish there was a fool proof way to eliminate the unwanted emails, but since my email accounts are posted publicly, I guess it's not possible.

Theresa, you might look into Cloudmark Desktop (www.cloudmark.com) - I get plenty of spam but I see very little of it (unsolicited testimonial).

[AAW]

Theresa, you might look into Cloudmark Desktop (www.cloudmark.com) - I get plenty of spam but I see very little of it (unsolicited testimonial).


Thanks! I checked it out, and it doesn't apply to a G5 (Mac). I'm on a Mac here at work. But thanks for sending the link, I'll be investigating similar applications for Macs.

Happy Thanksgiving!