Navigating Safely: A Guide to Guarding Against Scams and Fraud

The golden rule is simple: Always conduct business locally and in person. This one guideline will help you evade nearly all scam attempts.

• Promote safety by dealing locally and meeting your counterparty face-to-face. By sticking to this guideline, you'll dodge almost all scam attempts.
• Be cautious about offers that involve shipping. Prioritize interactions with locals you can meet face-to-face.
• Never send funds through Western Union, MoneyGram, or any similar service. Those who insist on such methods are likely scammers.
• Never wire funds via services like Western Union. Anyone who asks for this method of payment is likely a scammer.
• Be aware that counterfeit cashier's checks and money orders are prevalent. Banks may initially cash these, but you'll be held accountable when the forgery is detected later.
• Remember, this website does not participate in transactions. It doesn't manage payments, assure transactions, offer escrow services, or provide "buyer protection" or "seller certification."
• Never disclose your financial information, such as your bank account or social security number, and particularly not your eBay/PayPal details to untrusted parties.
• Beware of deals that involve shipping or escrow services. Keep in mind that only scammers "guarantee" your transaction.
• Do not accept cashier/certified checks or money orders. These can be counterfeited, leaving you responsible when your bank identifies the fraud.
• Transactions are strictly between users. No third party provides a "guarantee".
• Never disclose financial information (bank account, social security, PayPal account, etc).
• Beware of requests to check "UsDesis voicemails" or "UsDesis voice messages." No such service exists.
• Do not agree to rent or purchase an unseen property or item. That enticing "deal" may not exist.
• Refrain from background/credit checks until you have met the potential landlord/employer personally.

In case of a fraud or scam attempt, who can you alert?

• In USA, FTC toll-free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• FTC online complaint form: www.ftc.gov
• In Canada, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or 888-495-8501 (toll-free)
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov
• Your local police department's non-emergency number.
•  SIIA Software and Content Piracy reporting
• If you have been deceived by someone you met in person, please contact your local police department.
• If you suspect a UsDesis.org post may be part of a scam, please provide us feedback with the details.

Recognizing the Hallmarks of Scams:

Most scams incorporate one or more of the following elements:

• An inquiry from someone in a remote location, often another country.
• A foreign company offers you a job receiving payments from customers, then wiring funds: You are typically offered a percentage of payments received. This type of "position" may be posted as a job, or offered to you via email.
• Stay safe and vigilant. Remember, if something seems more exciting, pleasing, or more ideal than seems reasonable, then it likely isn't genuine, legitimate, or true.
• A request for payment through Western Union, MoneyGram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or some form of "guarantee."
• A reluctance or outright refusal to meet face-to-face prior to finalizing the transaction.
• Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram: These deals often appear too good to be true, with prices set extremely low.
• A distant person offers to send you a cashier's check or money order and then asks you to wire money: This is invariably a scam. The cashier's check is counterfeit.
• A distant seller suggests using an online escrow service: Many online escrow sites are fraudulent and managed by scammers.
• A distant seller requests an upfront partial payment, after which they will ship the goods: If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
• A claim of a guaranteed transaction, a certified buyer/seller, or a third party handling or protecting a payment: These are fraudulent, as transactions are solely between users.
• A far-off individual offers a realistic (but fake) cashier's check: This scenario often entails a scammer pretending to trust you and asking you to wire the balance via a money transfer service.
• A foreign company offers you a job receiving payments from customers, then wiring funds: You are typically offered a percentage of payments received. This type of "position" may be posted as a job, or offered to you via email.
• Stay safe and vigilant. Remember, If something seems more exciting, pleasing, or more ideal than seems reasonable, then it likely isn't genuine, legitimate, or true.