Internet Escrow Scams
Escrow services are meant to protect parties in a transaction. Unfortunately, scammers misuse this concept, promising protection while demanding payment through untraceable methods.
Scammers often use the names of well-known companies, such as eBay, PayPal, Amazon, or Apple. They may falsely claim that their services are provided by Internet Escrow Services, Inc. (IES), a registered and licensed escrow firm in California.
This is false. Internet Escrow Services (IES) owns and operates SafeTransferMotors. We are the only entity under IES providing escrow services.
Moreover, SafeTransferMotors is not part of any escrow consortium or affiliated with other escrow sites. We are members of the legitimate Escrow Association of California and the Internet Commerce Association.
To protect our clients, SafeTransferMotors works with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a task force including the FBI, the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), aimed at combating cybercrime.
Overview of Internet Escrow Scams
Internet escrow scams involve criminals convincing consumers that their money is protected if they use a certain site. Scammers often use well-known company names and logos to appear legitimate.
They then ask the Buyer to send money via untraceable methods, like gift cards or wire transfers. Once the money is sent, the supposed Seller disappears, and the victim never receives the promised item.
Email Fraud and Phishing
Scammers frequently use email fraud and phishing tactics. They send emails that seem to be from legitimate companies you already interact with, such as your bank or online auction sites.
These emails often prompt you to verify personal information by replying, opening attachments, or clicking links. This can result in viruses that record everything you type or redirect you to fake websites.
If you receive emails that appear to be from SafeTransferMotors but seem suspicious, contact our support team immediately.
Tips to Avoid Internet Escrow Scams
Scammers rely on people’s skepticism and use it against them by guiding them to fake escrow services. Always use a legitimate service like SafeTransferMotors, but also follow these additional steps to protect yourself:
Check Email Addresses Closely
Examine the sender’s email address closely, even if it looks legitimate. It might appear to be from SafeTransferMotors, but a closer look might reveal a fake address like support@safetransfermotors01.com.
Report any suspicious emails to SafeTransferMotors and block the sender. Delete the email after receiving instructions from our support team, as it might be needed for further investigation.
Avoid clicking on links, downloading attachments, or replying, as this could infect your device with a virus.
Don’t Trust Information in Emails
If something seems off, don’t trust the email’s information. Visit the company’s official website for accurate contact details. Use the phone number listed on their website, not the one provided in the email.
Scammers often use fake phone numbers to prevent direct communication with legitimate company representatives. Email the company using the address found on their official website.
Be Careful with Links
Links in emails can be misleading. Hover over the link to check the actual address. For extra security, visit the company’s website directly by typing the URL into your browser, rather than clicking the link.
Be Cautious with Unusual Payment Methods
Be wary if asked to send money through unconventional methods like gift cards or wire transfers directly to individuals. Major companies typically require payment through credit cards, bank transfers, or other legitimate electronic services like PayPal.
If you receive a request for an unusual payment method from a well-known company, verify its legitimacy through their official website or contact them using information from their site.
Avoid paying with wire transfers or gift cards, as these methods are commonly used by scammers and are difficult to recover.
Other Signs to Watch Out For
Scammers are creative, so stay vigilant. Look out for these signs of fraudulent sites:
Claims of affiliation with SafeTransferMotors – we are not associated with any other escrow site.
Claims that services are provided by Internet Escrow Services Inc., which owns and operates SafeTransferMotors.
A site design similar to SafeTransferMotors.
Claims of recommendations from eBay, eBay Motors, or Yahoo! Auctions.
A lack of contact details or unreachable customer support.
Absence from Google searches or the Better Business Bureau.
Short domain registration periods compared to the claimed duration of operation.
Requests for person-to-person payment methods like Western Union.
Suspiciously low escrow fees.
Poor spelling and grammar, broken links, and inconsistencies on the site.
Lack of licensing information or suspicious use of licensing numbers.
Reporting Fraud
If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact SafeTransferMotors immediately. We will investigate any fraudulent activity on our platform thoroughly.
Report the fraudulent site and the person who recommended it to the relevant authorities. This helps in tracking and prosecuting the criminals and protecting other potential victims.
If you’ve shared personal information with a fraudulent site or person, check for identity theft risks. Contact the shipping company to stop any deliveries and involve their fraud investigations department if applicable.
Contact your financial services provider to freeze any funds transferred and inquire about additional protective steps. Explain the situation to ensure your financial institution investigates and reports the fraud.
If you used Western Union, report the fraud by calling their customer service at 1-800-448-1492 or by filling out their online form.
Use SafeTransferMotors
The most effective way to protect yourself from scams and fraudulent activities is to use SafeTransferMotors. We are a licensed and registered escrow service committed to safeguarding our customers at all times.
