scams and fraud

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

• DEAL ONLY WITH LOCALS! Most International inquiries are scams.
• NEVER wire funds to a distant person, via Western Union or any other carrier
• NEVER give out personal financial information (checking account number, SSN, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
• trust your instincts, and always remember that the most important rule -- caveat emptor -- BUYER BEWARE -- applies to any transaction on trainersusa where money is involved.

If you think you have been scammed, contact the non-emergency number for your local police department -- they may be able to offer advice about your options.

Who should I notify about fraud?

• FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center ( www.ic3.gov/ )

You can also email us here at TrainersUSA by clicking here

Recognizing scams

Most scams meet involve one or more of the following:

• inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
• proposed transaction includes a cashier's check, postal money order, Western Union, or escrow service (BidPay, Squaretrade, etc.)
• inability or refusal to meet face-to-face

Types of Scams

1. Someone claims that trainersusa will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, OR claims that trainersusa will handle or provide protection for a payment

• These claims are fraudulent, as trainersusa does not have any role in any transaction.
• Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from trainersusa, offering a guarantee, certifying a client, providing payment services -- all such emails are fakes!

2. distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check

• cashier's check is offered for your services.
• value of cashier's check often far exceeds the cost of your service- scammer offers to "trust" you, and 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, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
• scam often involves a 3rd party (business associate owing buyer money, etc)

3. Someone requests payment via Western Union or MoneyGram :

• Often claim 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

4. distant person offers to send you a cashier's check and then have you wire money:

• 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

5. distant person suggests use of an online escrow service .

• 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

6. distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods

• he says he trusts you with the partial payment
• deal often sounds too good to be true

Other Resources

U.S. Postal Service warning scambusters