Minnesota Victims

I am looking for victims of internet crimes in Minnesota who would be willing to share their story with City Pages.  If you do not want your name printed, they are willing to respect that.

If you are a victim of any type of internet crime, I encourage you to come forward and share your story.  I know it is not easy . . . I am a scam victim also . . . but I do know how rewarding it is to know that you have helped save others from being a scam victim because your story gave them the information to protect themselves.

If you are interested, you can contact me through http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Victims – Tell your story!

I will OFTEN get requests from media people for victims to share their story (on radio, tv or in print).  If you are a victim who would be willing to share your story, please contact me via email with your name, state you live in, and the type of scam you were a victim of (counterfeit check, romance, roommate, credit card fraud, 419, ID theft, etc.)

This can be a wonderful way for you to share your story and help to warn and educate other people about scams!

Rental Scams

Rental scams are a huge problem in today’s world. Not only do the scammers answer ads posted on the internet pretending to be a person interested in renting your home, but they also will post their own ads of beautiful homes in upstanding communities and they will pretend to be renting them out. They will provide you with pictures of the property and any information that you request about it and the surrounding community, but the one thing that they cannot do it show you the property in person. They will tell you that they are in another state or country on business, and that is why they cannot show you the property in person.

When looking for a home to rent, never send any money via Western Union or Money Gram for a deposit or to hold the home. Tour the home in person before making any arrangements with anyone. If they cannot show you the home, or arrange for someone else to show you the property, then it is a scam.

Consumer Alert – Housing Scam

http://www.fbi.gov/page2/july09/housingscam_072909.html

In this consumer alert by the FBI, they look at what we refer to as Roommate or Renter Scams.  We have been reporting stories of Roommate/Renter Scams since 2005.  Many victims are sent cashier’s checks as a deposit on a room/space they are renting, and it will either be for more than the agreed upon amount, or the renter will later back out of the deal completely and ask for the money to be wired back to them.

 

Remember, it takes an average of 7 to 10 business days for the bank to find out that the check is counterfeit, and in some cases we have seen it take months.  No matter how long it takes, once it comes back as counterfeit the bank will hold you liable for the entire amount of the check, even if they had already told you that it was “clear” or “verified”.  Never wire money to someone that sent you a cashier’s check or money order.  That is a clear sign of a scam.

 

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch