Tis the season to be frauding

fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la

[Bewenched]

We have had so many fraud attempts in the last week I just thought I'd take the time to remind everyone to take precautions when fulfilling online orders.

In addition to online fraud there is a fairly new technique being used. Frauders are calling through TTY (for the deaf) so you never get a caller id, stating their zipcode is 23401 which when you do a look up is Keller Virginia, but it's also NIGERIA.

Be careful folks, it's that time of year again.

[jsinger]

there is a fairly new technique being used. Frauders are calling through TTY (for the deaf) so you never get a caller id,

Relay telephone fraud dates back about 4 years. I thought that means of fraud was now extinct. I believe that FREE international calls are no longer allowed (question is why such a stupid and extravagant thing was allowed in the first place).

Some operators are NOW allowed to give warnings if they believe the call may be a scam (gee, a bit of common sense, finally)

As for caller ID, that isn't necessary as every Internet Relay call our company has received was a scam attempt.

[jsinger]

That Keller Virginia (zip 23401) angle is hilarious.

I see complaints online that many women on dating sites are from there. Wikipedia says Keller has a population of 173... all apparently very lonely and in need of money "from the kindness of strangers."

Dating sites also show photos of babes from Keller. Must be quite a place. All are gorgeous and scantily clad.

[Bewenched]

Well it's fairly new to us with them doing this and just giving the zip code. Like ordering 50-500 of ANYTHING isn't going to throw a red flag.... DUH

What really sux is that we do occasionally do legit business with deaf customers through the TTY, so now we are required to ask "What country are you in and what country are you shipping to" Before we continue to waste our time on the phone with the operator. Sad really.

We have also been having alot of attempted credit card fraud in the last week or so... the frauders are ramping up.

[jsinger]

I haven't noticed any uptick in fraud attempts. You must be selling something that's really appealing to scammers. That's especially true if they're using Internet Relay which is agonizingly slow and the public has some awareness of the risk now.

Is anyone else currently getting fraud attempts via Internet Relay telephone calls?

[Essex_boy]

Must be quite a place. All are gorgeous and scantily clad.- Im on my way there now.

[trinorthlighting]

We actually had one fraudster actually call us and say they were from Nigeria and wanted to buy $100,000 worth of products. Asked if he could arrange for someone to deliver the US money order and pick up for products the same time.

We were like, sure go ahead. Needless to say the local police arrested the person who brought the fake US Postal money order. He was in on the whole scheme.

[jadedev]

hi guys,

how do I know if an order is fake if they buyer has provided a credit card that has been accepted by paypal?

[Essex_boy]

Dont take paypal simple.

I had a £550 (USD$100,00000000,0000 at present exchange rates) sale to an American shop about 3 years ago via paypal, lost the charge back although I could prove teh guy had his gear, from an email sent to me.

[jadedev]

But as an e-shop, we have to take credit cards. So how do we reduce the risk of credit card fraud?