Beware Scammers

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Someone with a classified ad on this website has been contacted by a scammer (excerpt from the initial email below).

Although they aren't a user with the email address used, they may be registered on this website, or more likely they are just sending out 'phishing' emails – note that they don't actually say what they want to buy.

The follow up email to the one below either was setting up an extra ''shipping' scam.

Please take care if you use free ads – it is your responsibility to look out for scams like this.

Neil

"Hi, I'd like to know more about this ad, I need to know the reason why you want to sell it and send me some pictures if available and price?. I hope you are the real
owner? because i had a bad experience in the past thank you. I am sorry if my temerity in challenging your honesty. I wait to read from you.
Regards."

 

 

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 29/07/2015 09:46:21

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

At least the English on this one is a bit weird, just one slip really. It could even be genuine. It might just be some one hoping to gain an email address from the reply but they get that anyway. Must admit I prefer set ups where the forum masks that by handling the communications.

One of the things I find odd about that type is that when I have experienced it and I look at the email headers often N. America is involved. Also when my yahoo email was hacked and I sent out a lot of spam from some where in America at some un earthly hour here. Something like 100 odd emails in seconds.

John

–

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

It was the follow up email that gave the game away – a cheque for a surplus amount to be deducted and given to the shipping agent… lots of strange English and all rather weird.

But people need to be cautious, particularly when emails skirt round actually mentioning any details of the item – such as what it is they actually want to buy!

Neil

[Chris BarryParticipant @chrisbarry]

Just had exactly the same from my advert on the homeworkshop website for my 254.

thankfully seeing this has confirmed my suspicions!

cheers

Chris

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Unfortunately 'bad English' can still be a genuine enquiry, I am constantly amazed by the spelling & grammar errors people make who speak English as their first language.

Tony

[Richard MarksParticipant @richardmarks80868]

John W1

You have been backscattered, try changing your email password, if that doesn't work get on to your email supplier and get them to sort it, if that doesn't work your only other option is to change your email address, speaking from experience!

[BowberParticipant @bowber]

Posted by Tony Pratt 1 on 29/07/2015 17:09:48:

Unfortunately 'bad English' can still be a genuine enquiry, I am constantly amazed by the spelling & grammar errors people make who speak English as their first language.

Tony

Yup, that's because we're engineers, or budding engineers anyway
My spelling is terrible and I keep having to use spell check all the time, as for my grammar, forget it.

Re these scams, they are hoping to catch you in that distracted moment were your not paying attention.
I've been caught out with a false eBay email. I just clicked the link and filled in my id and password before it finally sank in what I'd done, I then went to the proper site and changed my password and also emailed Ebay to tell them what I'd just done. They emailed back to say they'd keep an eye on the account but the password change should be enough

Steve

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