Avoiding Scams & Frauds

Were you contacted by a scammer on BegsList? Please report this to ScamsList.

Things to look out for when receiving emails from people offering to help:

- Check the sender's country or location through their email address or where they say they are from. Most SCAMS come from Nigeria, Benin, United Kingdom (UK), Japan, Liberia and other African countries. Also, if they type their email in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS....it most likely is a SCAM!

- If someone asks you to mail them money either before or after..IT IS A SCAM! If they want to send you a check and then ask that you send a portion of the money back...IT IS A SCAM! If you deposit these checks, after 10 business days your bank will return the check back to you with a big red stamp on it that says, COUNTERFEIT.

- If someone emails you and asks for your full contact information...IT IS A SCAM! (i.e. - "YOUR FULL NAME, PHONE AND FAX NUMBER,ADDRESS WERE YOU WANT THEM TO SEND MONEY TO, YOUR AGE AND CURRENT OCCUPATION, A COPY OF YOUR IDENTITY ATTACHED TO E-MAIL")

- If they say they are a Chairman, Deputy, President, Doctor, offers a Business Proposal or say you won a Lottery and ask for your FULL NAME and other contact information it is a SCAM.

- Accept money only through sites like PayPal. DO NOT Accept checks, money orders, or do wire transfers. WE CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE THAT RECEIVING A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FROM A STRANGER WILL COME BACK COUNTERFEIT AFTER YOU CASH IT! For safety, DO accept e-checks and payments through PayPal.

PAYPAL IS YOUR SAFEGUARD TO RECEIVING DONATIONS AND IT WILL HELP YOU AVOID BEING SCAMMED.

Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?

* FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
* FTC (Federal Trade Commission): http://www.ftc.gov
* Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
* Competition Bureau Canada: 800-348-5358
* Internet Fraud Complaint Center: http://www.ic3.gov
* Non-emergency number for your local police department.

If you suspect that a person who responds to your cyberbegging posting may be part of a scam, please email the details to "help4u@begslist.org" and we can offer you sound advice if the person is trying to scam you.

LATEST BEGSLIST SCAM:

HELLO
...
From:
fred vegas
...

"hi, i read your story and am deeply touched and concern about your situation,i will help you at least even if i can't give everything you need,i'll make some donation,so all i need is your name, home address and you tel:to keep intouch with you,cos ill be sending you a package.just don't lose hope, faith and keep your head focused."

This person has been known to send mass emails to cyberbeggars in order to harvest victims for his scam. PLEASE BEWARE!!!

Never give out your personal information online.

Would you tell a stranger who you are and where you live? No way! Well giving that information out online is just like talking to strangers (except online, you can't even SEE them!) SO never give anyone your whole name, address or phone number on the internet, in email, in an instant message or in a chat room.

IF THEY TRULY ARE WILLING TO GIVE YOU A DONATION, THEY WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM USING YOUR PAYPAL BUTTON.

PAYPAL IS THE SAFEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FRAUD WHEN RECEIVING DONATIONS.

For more information about scams like these, please visit:
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Safe-on-the-Internet
http://www.nick.com/info/safety-guide.html
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

If you have any questions, please feel free to email help4u@begslist.org

Another source for information about scams and frauds or to REPORT SCAMS you received, please visit: http://scamslist.com

BegsList is closely monitored for people trying to SCAM. All suspicious Posts and advertisements will be removed.

Keep it Safe!!

The BegsList Moderator