| I got scammed, let this be a warning to you, this | | | | do as it was almost closing time and that was |
| article will help you recognise, scammers and | | | | that. |
| online thieves, be warned, the danger is so real. | | | | Over the week end and for the next 5 days I |
| Don't get scammed and ripped off by internet | | | | constantly tried to contact these people at this |
| credit thieves Like I did. | | | | particular website via phone and email and snail |
| This is my story. | | | | mail to no avail. |
| It all started on Sunday the 8th of March 2009. I | | | | I did some searching on the web and found the |
| was just looking around on the internet and came | | | | owner of the site by going to whois and still |
| across an add for making money from Google | | | | constantly tried to contact them. |
| Cash and all I had to pay was $1.95 shipping, the | | | | The emails came back to me and I could not get |
| add was complete complete with many | | | | through to the contact number on the site, that is |
| testimonies and photos of checks. The add copy | | | | the customer service number, it would just cut |
| also said the you would start making money with | | | | out. Imagine my frustration. |
| in 48-72 hours. It also said all you had to do was | | | | On Wednesday the 18th March I went into my |
| to copy and paste adds for Google, The add | | | | bank and lodged and authorization claim, the bank |
| LOOKED just like a Google add using their logos | | | | said they cant do anything until the problem was |
| and It also had many well known endorsements | | | | lodged with the police. I went straight to the police |
| on it from television and other well known | | | | and explained my story to them. |
| companies. So I thought yes you can have my | | | | They gave me an incident number and explained |
| 1.95 and I was on my way. | | | | to me that not much will happen about the |
| After my credit card was accepted I was taken | | | | problem but they will let the American police |
| straight to this other website and was shown a | | | | know about this situation. "I live in Australia." |
| few "learning" videos. Which really were 2 men | | | | The Policeman I was talking to, also told me of a |
| speaking to each other saying that you make | | | | similar thing that happened to him. I was so |
| your money selling health products. and they were | | | | surprised that he was a victim of a similar scam |
| supposed to be showing you how to build a | | | | as well. |
| website. "which I still don't know how to do". Not | | | | I was surprised he was a victim of this type of |
| only that I have a very fast service and this | | | | scam as well. |
| particular page took so long to load. | | | | My new card will be arriving this week. |
| Then you had to wait forever to log in. Anyway | | | | This I what you need to do to protect yourself |
| after about 3 days I started to think I lost my | | | | from being scammed. |
| shipping money which was no big deal to me. | | | | 1. Before you hand out any credit details make |
| The transaction on my credit card came up as | | | | sure you are dealing with a well known company. |
| Google cash. Then On Friday the 13th of march I | | | | 2. Follow your gut instinct, It never fails. |
| was at the supermarket buying my groceries for | | | | 3. Set up a separate account for all your dealings |
| my family for the week end. | | | | on the net. when you want to pay for some thing |
| Can you imagine my shock, horror and | | | | only have that amount in the account. |
| embarrassment when I went to the check out | | | | 4. If you feel unsure do a whois search. |
| handed over my card to pay for my groceries | | | | 5. Make sure the customer support works when |
| and the check out girl said to me insufficient | | | | you contact them. |
| funds. | | | | 6. Check to see if there are any warnings on the |
| My God a chill ran through me. my heart began to | | | | net about the company and persons involved. |
| race and there were 5 people waiting behind me | | | | The above 6 things I did after the event and I |
| to be served. I had to leave my shopping behind. I | | | | was surprised to find out so much information |
| ran down to the bank to find out what was the | | | | regarding the actual owner of the site and He is a |
| problem was. | | | | well known ripoff. |
| The teller checked my account then informed me | | | | If I had done the homework in the beginning I |
| that this particular account only had $30 left in it. | | | | would not have suffered this problem. |
| How could this be I said to her and so we started | | | | I am a little wiser now |
| to go through the account to see what went | | | | I am working with another company now and |
| wrong. To my astonishment a transaction from a | | | | they are absolutely fantastic. They have all the |
| company that I didn't know about had taken | | | | credentials and fantastic support and teaching |
| $74.24 dollars out of my account. | | | | program in place. |
| The teller then said there was nothing they could | | | | |