Carol M.: I applied for a job online to work out of my home processing payments, but it’s an international scam. They sent me a USPS money order made out to me, told me to cash it and then go to Wal-Mart and send a money gram for 90% (I can keep 10%, plus fee for money gram). The money orders are fake or stolen. After you send 1, dozens arrive over-nighted. Weeks go by and then you find out the money orders were fake–your bank or post office then comes after you for thousands. I found over 100 ads like this nationally.
JW: Carol, you’re absolutely right — this is a scam! The experts at the National Consumer League (NCL) report that this type of fraud is on the rise, and has become one of the most common kinds of rip-offs out there. Unsuspecting victims like you are losing thousands of dollars, and if you happen to get mixed up with these creeps, there isn’t much you can do to get your money back. The NCL, Postal Inspectors, FBI and others recommend that you never deposit a check from a source you don’t know. Because of banking rules, the checks clear in days but it actually takes weeks before they discover the check or money order is a fake — and that’s when you get stuck for the cash. It’s really important to spread the word about these frauds, and help your friends and family learn the warning signs, so no one else gets scammed. NCL’s http://www.fakechecks.org has a lot of great information and resources that show you what to look out for.
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