CRAIG'S LIST SCAM TURNED IN RECENTLY, BE ON THE WATCH!!!

Above we are warned in the coming year to keep ourselves free of fraud.  Although fraud can be committed using various techniques, the internet is a tool that criminals are using more and more, through such entities as Craig's List and E-Bay, to separate you from your possessions and your money.  Using extreme caution in internet based transactions is no longer a luxury, it is now a necessity.

Just recently, a Hermiston citizen who we'll call "Jim" reported to the Hermiston Police regarding a suspicious transaction he had recently stopped in fear that it was sounding more like a scam.  He explained that he was attempting to sell an item on the Craig's List website.   Initially, the transaction seemed to be a legitimate deal.  He stated that a price of $500 was negotiated and agreed upon after a series of exchanged e-mails between him and "the buyer."

Jim went back and started examining all the e-mails and the Fed-Ex envelope he had received and noticed that the addresses from the "buyer" varied.  Thinking this even more suspicious, he searched the internet for the company's name on the check and found it belonged to a Law Firm in Florida.  On the Law Firm's website was a specific warning all check recipients who had received checks from their office regarding the check fraud scam.  Jim was shocked.  He spoke with a family member who works in law enforcement who agreed that someone had been trying to use Jim to commit fraud and encouraged him to report it to his local law enforcement agency.  Jim had caught the scam without losing any money or items.

Unfortunately, Jim's story is becoming more and more common.  The best defense in fighting this crime is prevention. Here are some general tips provided by Craig's List:

• Deal locally with folks you can meet in person-follow this simple rule and you can avoid 99% of the scam attempts

• Never wire funds via Western Union, MoneyGram, or any other wiring service-anyone who asks you to do so is probably a scammer

• Fake cashier checks and money orders are common and banks will cash them and then hold you responsible when the fake is discovered weeks later.

• Never give out financial information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, etc.

Check Craig's list, "avoid scams" section for additional information.

Look to your local law enforcement, government agencies, or consumer fraud prevention advocate groups for training and information regarding more crime prevention tips and additional information. 

Community Activities in January:

> January 8th, 7pm, Hermiston Library, Poetry Reading
> January 12th, City Council Meeting, 7pm
> January 13th, Hermiston Conference Center, Distinguished Service Awards
> January 13th, Hermiston Stadium 8, Take Over: A Night at the Movies, Hermiston Girl Scouts
> January 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
> January 20th-21st, Little League Registration, HHS Old Commons, 6-8pm
> January 26th, City Council Meeting, 7pm

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.  E-mail: esandova@hermiston.or.us Phone: (541) 667-5112. Thanks so much!