Scams

You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules.

In General

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON – follow this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts on TAMAircraft.com.

NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service – anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.

FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

TAMAircraft.com IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer “buyer protection” or “seller certification”.

NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL “GUARANTEE” YOUR TRANSACTION.

Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?

U.S. Federal

• Internet Fraud Complaint Center
• FTC Video: How to report scams to the FTC
• FTC online complaint form
• FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• Consumer Sentinel/Military (for reports from services members or their families)
• SIIA Software and Content Piracy reporting

If you are defrauded by someone you met in person, contact your local police department.

Recognizing scams

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

• An inquiry from someone far away, often in another country.
• Western Union, Money Gram, cashier’s check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a “guarantee”.
• Inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consumating transaction

Examples of Scams

• Someone claims that TAMAircraft.com will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, OR claims that TAMAircraft.com will handle or provide protection for a payment.
  • These claims are fraudulent, as TAMAircraft.com does not have any role in any transaction.
  • Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from TAMAircraft.com, offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, providing payment services — all such emails are fakes!
• Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:
  • The seller often claim that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money – this is FALSE, once you’ve wired money, it is GONE.
  • Common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Spain, Italy, Netherlands – but could originate from anywhere.
  • The deal often seems too good to be true, price is too low, etc.
• Distant person offers to send you a money order and then have you wire money:
  • This is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience – the cashier’s check is FAKE.
  • Sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not.
  • Scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check.
  • Deal often seems too good to be true.
• Distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service.
  • Most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers.
  • For more info, do a google search on “fake escrow” or “escrow fraud”.
• Distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods
  • The seller says he trusts you with the partial payment.
  • The seller may say he has already shipped the goods.
  • The deal often sounds too good to be true.