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Fraud Awareness Tips
11/25/2011
TradinPost Fraud Awareness Tips
Please be aware Peoria Post, Inc. (TradinPost.com) does not:
- Get involved in transactions between buyers and sellers.
- Own, buy or sell any general merchandise items listed on our website.
- Own, buy or sell any vehicles listed on our website.
- Offer escrow services or transaction services.
- Offer automotive warehousing or shipping services.
- Ever ask you for personal or financial information via email.
- Require payment to enter a sweepstakes.
There is no foolproof method to prevent fraud, awareness is your best defense. These tips are only suggestions and you must user your best judgment in all transactions.
Help us stop fraud. If you receive a suspicious email or are the victim of a scam, email us and law enforcement right away.
Step 1: If you are the victim of a scam, please email us with as much information about your particular situation as possible.
Step 2: File a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center to inform federal and state law enforcement agencies. We strongly recommend that you report fraud to local law enforcement as well.
Step 3: Forward any suspicious emails to us immediately at staff@tradinpost.com. Please don't change the subject line or send it as an attachment because doing so could prevent us from identifying trends and preventing similar scams.
TradinPost.com supports law enforcement agencies in the prosecution of Internet criminals and work diligently to prevent fraud.
We don't get involved in transactions between buyers and sellers.
Don't respond to any email that appears to come from TradinPost.com (for example, by displaying our logo) and urges you to complete the sale or purchase of a vehicle listed on our site. Such emails are a sure sign of a scam.
Other signs of fraud are emails that:
- Claims the security of a transaction is guaranteed by TradinPost.com.
- Imply TradinPost has verified information about a particular buyer, seller or listing.
- Describe a "preferred" or "pre-approved" buyer or seller program.
TradinPost.com doesn't guarantee or endorse transactions, and we don't have preferred or pre-approved buyers or sellers. We'll never encourage you to buy any particular vehicle listed on TradinPost.com or to sell your vehicle to any particular buyer. If you receive a suspicious email such as the ones described above, report it to us and to law enforcement.
We don't own, buy or sell general merchandise or vehicles listed on our site.
TradinPost.com is an online general merchandise and vehicle listing venue which connects buyers with sellers. We are not retailers or automotive dealers. Any listing information about a particular item or vehicle comes directly from the seller-not us.
If you receive an email that implies TradinPost is buying or selling any merchandise or vehicle please report it to us and to law enforcement. Such emails are a scam.
We don't ask you for personal or financial information via email.
Online fraud often begins with a spoof email requesting financial information. These spoof, or scam, emails often impersonate a reputable company such as TradinPost.com by illegally displaying a company's name, logo or trademark.
The intent is to deceive Clients into revealing information such as:
- Username
- Password
- Social security number
- Bank account number
- Bank routing number
- Credit card number
The only time TradinPost will ever request your credit card information is when you're in the process of purchasing an ad on our website. We will not take down your listing because you don't provide account information.
If you receive an email that asks for the kinds of information listed above, don't respond. Instead, report the email to law enforcement.
We don't offer automotive transaction warehousing or shipping services.
Any email that requests a deposit or payment for a shipment of a vehicle stored in an TradinPost.com warehouse is a scam. TradinPost.com doesn't own a warehouse, and we don't ship vehicles.
Only use legitimate escrow services like www.escrow.com
Protect yourself by using Escrow.com, our preferred provider for secured payments
Beware of fraudulent escrow services and protect yourself with secured payment.
For a fee, an escrow service holds the buyer's payment until the seller has delivered the item purchased. Such a third-party service can protect both parties from fraud. However, scammers often set up fake escrow services.
- Avoid any service that implies an affiliation or partnership with TradinPost.com unless it is Escrow.com.
- Avoid any service that claims to be operated by TRUSTe. TRUSTe doesn't operate an escrow service.
- Verify an escrow service's legitimacy by checking with state regulators.
- Research the escrow service
- Decline the transaction if the other party insists on using an escrow service that you’re not sure about.
- Use a search engine to open the website in a different browser-don’t click on a link the seller provides
- Dial the contact number listed
- Search for the company on the BBB website.
If any escrow-related email or website implies an affiliation with us by displaying our logo or by other means (except for our preferred provider, Escrow.com), report it to us and law enforcement. Check our Internet fraud resources section for more advice on escrow services.
Common-Sense Advice for Buyers
- Know the vehicle's market value
- Obtain a vehicle history report
- Inspect the vehicle
- Confirm contact information
- Use email wisely
- Obtain a detailed receipt
- Obtain title to the vehicle
Common-Sense Advice for Sellers
- Confirm contact information
- Secure payment first
- Verify that a certified check is genuine
- Beware of overpayment or other complicated payment schemes
Internet Fraud Resources
Visit the sites below to learn more about Internet fraud.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Be a Smarter Consumer
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Practical Tips to Help You Be on Guard Against Internet Fraud
Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
Fake Seals and Phony Numbers: How Fraudsters Try to Look Legit
National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
Search Database for Vehicles Affected by Recent Hurricanes
Department of Motor Vehicles
Contact Your State Department
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