what to do?

Stonk

In the interest of educating those who might fall foul of scams (surprisingly many people still do, apparently) ...

It's actually quite different from the Nigerian-style scam.

The Nigerian ones are known as "advance-fee frauds". The scamster promises you money, but requires you to first pay them a fee - a "release fee", "storage charge" or "insurance premium" they say is required in order to transfer the lump sum to you from where it is currently being held.

If you pay that fee, they invent another one, and so on. At no point will you ever receive any money from them.

Of course, any up-front fee you pay will probably be by Western Union (because it's anonymous and unrecallable), but the mechanism of the Nigerian scams is different.

Justicia

Stonk wrote:

In the interest of educating those who might fall foul of scams (surprisingly many people still do, apparently) ...
It's actually quite different from the Nigerian-style scam.

Not sure if that is directly in reply to my post but I gave details on the bank-related scam mentioned in the OP not referring to Advance Fee which, as you state, is very different, though not less ruthless...

GhostHunter_3

Hi

So sorry to hear of your ordeals.

Just wondered if there were any updates to progress??

Thinking of you!
GH

:eek:

hollydays

Hope you are ok.Also if anyone can give us all a bit of security info re our emails id be grateful

hollydays

I have had an email with the words

interesting
then a link.I have not accessed it,and the person has a yahoo email address
Apart from ignoring it what else,if anything should i do.

Justicia

hollydays wrote:

I have had an email with the words
interesting
then a link.I have not accessed it,and the person has a yahoo email address
Apart from ignoring it what else,if anything should i do.

Delete it and forget about it - best advice

violetmva

Sorry guys, still no update available, as my passport is in the HO, and my bank wants the it to verify who i am (they won't accept copy of it, and i don't have a drivers license). Tried to contact the number they've given me from the local branch, but can't get through. So unless i speak with someone or HO returns my passport i can't do anything. So anoying :mad:

redgemini

Violet, which bank is it that you are trying to get through to? I may be able to get you an alternative number (dont need any of your account details! just the name)

All others - the best way to spot these scams is by:

a - the language used - it is often littered with poor spelling & grammar

b - that old faithful - gut feeling - if it looks too good to be true - it really is!

You can make use of your web e-mail account's spam blocking service - Yahoo, MSN, Hotmail etc all offer this free.
Or you can set up 'junk' rules in Outlook to automatically delete mails containing certain phrases.

Just as a general thing - as with all fraud mails (including 'phishing' & 'pharming' scams) Dont ever give your details, or click on links contained - as these just authenticate your mail address & you will get flooded with more of these mails.

If you have any queries - let me know ( i work for one of the high street banks & have been in IT Security for a few years now!)

Hope any of this helps!

UKays_Finest

Hi Red,

Welcome to MSE :hello:

Great advice and first post

violetmva

Hi Red,

The bank is Halifax - they just won't accept any copies of documents, although i have them signed and stamped from my lawer and also a letter from HO that my documents are there.