Scams and scammers have been around for hundreds of years. With the advent of the internet, their modus operandi has become more sophisticated, faster to implement, and reaches more potential victims.
Work-at-home scams
Work-at-home scams offer income opportunities without leaving one's home. Victims are often stay-at-home mothers, retirees, the disabled, and individuals from low-income families. Scammers entice them through e-mail, website ads, and comments placed in forums by using words and phrases such as "earn $10000 a month from home," "quick typing jobs," and "guaranteed payments."
Phishing scam
Bank account usernames, passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive information are acquired by email messages that look like they come from legitimate sources. This is called phishing.
Check overpayment e-mail scam
This scam happens primarily to Internet sellers. The fraudster will respond to an ad or win a bid in an auction site and then sends a check payment that is more than the agreed price. The seller will then be asked to refund the excess amount immediately. Needless to say, the check will bounce.
