Quick links:

1. Protect yourself
2. US Internet Fraud Complaint Center
3. Example scams
4. EquineSite Disclaimer
5. Known issue log (actual emails)

 

Protect yourself from potential cyber criminals. You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:

• DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts on any venue.
• NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
• FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.
• EquineSite.com  IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"
• NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
• AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.
• DO NOT RENT HOUSING WITHOUT SEEING THE INTERIOR, OR PURCHASE EXPENSIVE ITEMS SIGHT-UNSEEN - in all likelihood that housing unit is not actually for rent and that cheap item does not exist.
• DO NOT SUBMIT TO CREDIT CHECKS OR BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR A JOB OR FOR HOUSING UNTIL YOU HAVE MET THE INTERVIEWER OR LANDLORD/AGENT IN PERSON.

U.S. Federal

• Internet Fraud Complaint Center
• FTC Video: How to report scams to the FTC
• FTC online complaint form
• FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• Consumer Sentinel/Military (for reports from services members or their families)
• SIIA Software and Content Piracy reporting

Examples of Scams

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

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

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

• you receive an email (examples below) offering to buy your item, or rent your apartment, sight unseen.
• cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for an apartment, or for your services.
• value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - 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 (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)

3. Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:

• Scam "bait" items include apartments, laptops, TVs, cell phones, tickets, and other high value items
• 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, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Spain, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
• Apartment listing may be local, but landlord/owner is "travelling" or "relocating" and needs you to wire money to them abroad
• Deal often seems too good to be true, price is too low, rent is below market, etc

4. distant person offers to send you a money order and then have you wire money:

• this is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience - the cashier's check is FAKE
• sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not
• scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check
• deal often seems too good to be true

5. distant seller 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"

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

• 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

7. foreign company offers you a job receiving payments from customers, then wiring funds

• foreign company may claim it is unable to receive payments from its customers directly
• you are typically offered a percentage of payments received
• this kind of "position" may be posted as a job, or offered to you via email
  
   

Important disclaimer: EquineSite.com does not recommend nor endorse any of the businesses listed in its directory, nor contributors to its website, nor affiliated/linked sites, nor items posted in the classifieds.  We simply provide information to horse owners and riders.  We encourage all to seek references or referrals when making important decisions regarding their horse's care & training.  EquineSite.com also cannot guarantee the accuracy of all of the business listings in this site, but we do endeavor to maintain up-to-date information. Please notify us of any corrections, or if you wish to remove a listing, by emailing us at: info@equinesite.com.  Happy riding to all!

Known Issue Log

Actual emails sent to EquineSite.com classifieds users:

 
        Information about inquiring person:
        Name: David
        Email: djohn389@yahoo.com
        ===================================================
        I came across your ad on http:www.equinesite.com  and I'll like to know the following questions regarding the ad. 

Q#1. How long have you owned it?
Q#2. a) Have you owned it from new?  b) If not how many previous owner?
Q#3. Why are you selling it?
Q#4. In your opinion, what sort of condition is it?
Q#5. Any available photo?
Q#6. How much are you asking for it?
Q#7  Do you accept a ( Cashier Check / Money Order)as a mode of      payment?
Q#8Will you let a shipping company to come to your house for the pick up of the item?

I'll like to have the response to these question in your earliest convenience. Hope to hear from you soon.

Email me to djohn389@yahoo.com

Initial email, was received from two different yahoo email addresses:

Information about inquiring person:
Name: scott
Email: scott.toomy5553@yahoo.com
===================================================
Hello Seller, In reference to your online placed ad, please could you tell me whether the advert is still for sale? Also tell me whether its condition remains as described in your ad? Please include the current price too. Write soon. Thanks, Scott
===================================================
To reply to this message please click on 'Reply' button in your email client.
 

Secondary Reply:

Please report scams to info@equinesite.com

THANK YOU!