In my recent case, it didn't look at first like it was anything out of normal. The person doing the emailing was in the USA but the seeds were going to be sent to Norway. Not your usual scammer country. While their English wasn't perfect, it wasn't as bad as most scammer emails either.

Europeans are more used to "wire transfer" than we are here in the USA. But that still doesn't mean I'm going to use it. When I'm vacationing in Mexico, I have to use what the people there want me to use. You pay with what the seller will/can take. If the seller is accomodating, fine. But if not well, tough, it's the seller's stuff. If I want it, I have to find a legitimate way to pay for it.

Carol

I usually lurk on forums and post occasionally, this is one topic that I will add my two cents on.

I set up a special account with a very low balance in it. I only do wire transfers with it and all PayPal funds are transferred into it.

I am notified when funds hit the account and go in immediately and transfer those funds out into another account leaving the small balance. That way if anyone including PayPal tries to tie up or withdraw funds from it, all they will get is the small amount that I leave in there for a balance and no access to my other accounts. BTW, my banker agreed that this is a safe way to protect my other funds and accounts.

nolav

Quote: › Most banks right now require a physical presence in the bank to send a wire transfer.

my bank does it so infrequently, they werent even sure how to fill out the form--i hadda help em!

I sure do get a kick out of the comments about Urban Legends etc about this topic. Also I do enjoy the comments about paranoia etc. I have first hand knowledge how to remove funds from someones account (although I have never done it illegally) I have in fact removed funds from more than one persons and businesses accounts with their knowledge and consent without any notification from the account owners to their financial institutaions/banks. I sometimes do work handling accounts payable issues for people and all I need is a specific combination of numbers that are printed on checks, deposit slips etc (no pin# needed). Now of course if a Stupid/Non Experienced scammer/con artist tried or actually did this they could leave an exact easy to follow path right back to themselves.I will not post exact examples of how one could use your banking information to clear out your bank account but it is happening everyday in all areas of this country and some others.

Now I must agree though there are more than one type of Bank Wire Transfers. One type is mentioned in messages on this thread and that is the more secure method (in person at a branch) (more secure for the buyer/payer that is).

Also Yes! Most Bank accounts are Insured (in the U.S. F.D.I.C.) it can be a pain to get the ripped off funds back and clear up all the associated bounced check issues and fees as well as take some time. I myself need my $ at the drop of a hat. I myself do not have time to deal with delays trying to get my $ back into my account.

Wow good thing I'm from Canada then , because you state its happening in all states of your country

I guess Russia has better banks too

If it was that easy Russian Mafia and North Korea would have every bank account in USA cleared out in 30 days.

Quote: › If it was that easy Russian Mafia and North Korea would have every bank account in USA cleared out in 30 days.

utoh...


seems like my method is best--dont have much money!

Wire tranfers can in fact be a very safe (though expensive) way to receive money. As far as getting money removed from your account without your knowledge; this is completely preventable by first talking to your bank before providing the buyer with your account info. The standard wire transfer scam usually involves you GIVING money to someone else to receive goods which never arrive! There are numerous variations on these types of scams. I learned about all of this from a FREE Kit I requested online.

Most people don't know that a few experienced online auction users have started to document what they've encountered when trying to do e-commerce. This includes not only varius scams but also other things to watch out for when conducting business on EBay and other auction sites.

Furthermore some have chosen to provide this valuable information to the public for FREE! I've found the one offered on www.highauctionprofits.info to be very useful, even if your online activities only include using EBay.

Tom Wood