Scams and Fraud

Use caution and common sense when dealing with any financial transaction:

• trust your instincts
• NEVER wire funds to a distant buyer, via Western Union or any other carrier
• Be wary if the other party wants to use an escrow service
• NEVER give out personal financial information (checking account number, SSN, etc.)
• always remember the most important rule - BUYER BEWARE

Who should I notify about fraud?

• FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
• Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ifccfbi.gov/)

If you suspect that an item posted for sale on LowerMyPhone.com may be part of a scam, please email the details to "info@telecomhelp.org". Be sure to include the URL in your message.

Recognizing scams

Most scams meet one or more of the following requirements:

• long-distance buyer or seller
• offer to complete the transaction with a cashier's check, U.S. Postal Service money order, Western Union, or escrow service.

Types of Scams

1. distant seller indicates LowerMyPhone.com will guarantee the transaction through the LowerMyPhone.com Protection Program

• This program does not exist!!!! LowerMyPhone.com does not have any role in any transaction.
• Seller will request a down payment, and will provide detailed documentation of the "protection program".

• you receive an odd email (actual examples sent to LowerMyPhone.com sellers below) offering to buy your item.
• cashier's check is offered for your sale item.
• value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - buyer asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
• banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR
• scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)

• seller often claims that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE.
• common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
• deal often seems too good to be true

• this is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience - the cashier's check is FAKE
• scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check
• deal often seems too good to be true

• most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers
• for more info, do a google search on "fake escrow" or "escrow fraud"
• if you must do business with a distant seller, insist on a legitimate service, such as www.escrow.com

• he says he trusts you with the partial payment
• he may say he has already shipped the goods
• deal often sounds too good to be true

Other Resources

Actual emails received by LowerMyPhone.com sellers

###########################
"...CAME FROM AFRICA TO PREACH IN US, AND ON GETTING TO AFRICA HER DAUGHTER WILL BE CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY SOONEST,PLEASE I HOPE THIS ITEM IS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION AS I AM BUYING IT FOR HER AS A PRESENT FOR HER BIRTHDAY GIFT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH THE SHIPPING COST TO AFRICA I WILL SEND YOU THE ADDRESS OF THE GIRL AS SOON AS I HEAR FROM YOU, I WILL LIKE YOU TO RESEND ME YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SEND YOU MONEY GRAM INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDER THANKS WAITING YOUR URGENT RESPONSE..."