The first thing that everyone should know is that both sellers and buyers can be exposed to scams or fraud.
The number one rule when a transaction takes place is to use " common sense " at all times.
The number two rule when a transaction takes place is to use your " instinct " as to the validity of the transaction.
If you are not sure or feel that everything is not on the up and up, you have the right to remove yourself from the transaction immediately without hesitation or explanation.
Things to keep in Mind
If the item you are selling represents Jewelry - Coins - Stamps - Collectable - Antique or other items of value - as a seller when meeting a potential buyer for the first time ,always insist on a public place to conduct your business. Once you are at the meeting location even though you may be inclined to pick a more private or secluded area for privacy the closer you are to an area that is visible by other people the better your chance of preventing a possible grab and run misfortune. Also it is a good idea to have the accompany of a friend or if that is not available at least tell a friend where you are going and the purpose of the meeting. Always take a cell phone with you if you have one.
If you are making a transaction locally you are entitled to say - cash only. If they don't have the necessary cash and conversely offer to pay by check - your reply should be, that's fine but I cant give you the item until the check clears. The same principle should apply where by due to distance you are unable to make the transaction in person.
Be aware of Fake Cashiers Check or Money Orders. Unlike personal checks the clearing process can take two to three weeks for a cashiers check or money order to clear. -- so if you send your item upon receipt of payment -- the amount that was credited to your account in the beginning - will be debited from your account two or three weeks later if the check is fraudulent.....meanwhile your item is history. This cautionary statement is with reference to receiving money order or cashiers check from a stranger. If you know the person who is sending it, the process is actually quite safe and practical.
There are many more example that we could provide but the most significant Never is to Never ask an unknown caller or stranger why they are asking so many questions - they are trained to be well versed and well prepared to have answers for everything. So if you don't know the person whom you are talking to never get into a dialog -- Just say -- I don't have the time or desire to spend any time with you and say bye. In most cases they will pressure you to stay on the line - remember you already said by once you don't need to say it twice -- just hang up the phone !! If it is the same by e mail don't respond - If it is the same by junk mail don't respond.
Be careful of work from home ads--if the ads are placed within your community or nearby area you can always check the opportunity out in person - however if the ads come from out of State you may be subject to a lot of misrepresented or fraudulent ads. To be fair there are some reputable companies that provide work from home opportunity - so our advice is to do a thorough background check before you invest a lot of time and money trying to get this opportunity
Be careful of ads with get rich fast opportunities - as always, the only people that get rich are the ones that use deceptive or misrepresentative ads -- using your money to get rich fast.
Be careful of ads that read -- I have found a high-paying job opportunity for you in your area -- if you are foolish enough to open the email -- what you will probably get is a scam requesting $100.00 or more in advance to cover their administrative fee and once they have your money they will vanish from the face of the earth.
Be careful of ads that read -- We have found a job for you in your area or a free listing of jobs in your area. Sounds good but when you respond what you will probably get is a registration form that you will have to fill out before you can get the free listing Once you complete the necessary information and click submit don't be surprised if you get a computer generated response that says -- currently there are no jobs available that fits your job description, try again at a later date. It seems harmless on the surface. However what you need to know is that there are a great number of scrupulous business people that couldn't care less if they found a job for you or not. They are actually in the business to collect as much information as they can including your e mail address and phone number and then sell them in blocks to the highest bidder. So instead of a job opportunity what you will get is -- advertisers -- by the hundreds trying sell their item or service to you.
When making a transaction over the Internet be very careful when one of the parties makes reference to.payment - using or having an escrow account that will guaranty payment or refer to a third party source who will pay for your item or will guaranty payment for your item. If you fall for this scam the only guaranty that you will have is that your item will be gone with the wind and so will the people that got your item. There are escrow companies that provide payment service guaranty to a qualified company doing business with another qualified company - but not with one individual making a transaction with another individual.
For your Safety - you need to know - how we will correspond with you should we need to request personal information. Citylimitbiz only uses the U.S. Postal Service for correspondence Citylimitbiz will not request any personal information by - Phone - Fax - E mail - or - any other method other than hard copy through the U.S. Mail.
Although this may appear to be be the safest way to correspond -- You need to be aware of of scams or fraudulent perpetrators who may pretend to be an agent of Citylimitbiz or an associate of Citylimitbiz and request information in writing. A typical example would be as follows; We are an independent agency authorized to do a survey in behalf of Citylimitbiz,----Bogus,,,, Should you fill out the survey you will be giving out vital or personal information and not realize that you are actually doing so. The same principle should apply to telephone surveys. Here is one more of many examples that we could provide. A letter stating that your Citylimitbiz annual fee is now due please make check or money order in the amount of $---- and use our self addressed envelope that has been provided for you convenience ---- Scam. Citylimitbiz does not have any fees or additional cost of any kind at any time other than the one time Ad Duration cost if you have selected the Paid Ad version.
Horizon Escape Inc. or Citlimitbiz
PMB 281
2043 South Bend Ave.
South Bend IN 46637
Email horizonescape@att.net
There are endless examples or tips we can provide -- However as we have indicated in many different ways - your best line of defense against Scam or Fraud is - Knowledge - Awareness - Common Sense - and
- Self Reliant Instinct. It is estimated that 99% of all scams or fraud can be prevented or eliminated by following the simple rules and guidance as provided when you are making a business transaction.
**** What should I do if I feel I have been scammed or defrauded out of money or an item ? ****
**** What should I do if I get a suspicious e mail that appears to be a scam or fraud ? ****
For either occurrence first you should look up the FTC Video how to report a scam to the FTC or call 1-877 FTC HELP Next - Make sure you keep the original in your computer as you will need to send copies upon request to the appropriate help resource. Prior to seeking help -- you should never attempt to get involved personally with accusations or otherwise - because if you are wrong; you could be liable for character deformation - on the other hand - if you are right your action will only give the perpetrator a notice to disappear as quickly as possible.
If your case is in reference to scammed or defrauded -- the FTC will guide you to the necessary steps to take or will provide other recourses to help you. If you are advised to send us a copy - please do so.
If your case is in reference to a suspicious e mail - First follow the same procedure as outlined above - but in addition to the above please send us a copy immediately - so we can properly investigate the e mail and follow through with any and all applicable action necessary a.q.a.p.
Once again -- for general correspondence send e mail to horizonescape@att.net
-- for correspondence pertaining to personal information send hard copy to; Horizon Escape Inc or Citylimitbiz -- as with address already provided above.
Horizon Escape Inc. DBA CityLimitBiz.com