Protect yourself from internet-based scams Published June 14, 2007 Fairchild First Sergeant Council FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- You've all heard it 100 times... "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Yet every day intelligent people are bilked out of thousands of dollars from e-mail scams and fraudulent offers to make a quick and easy buck. The scams, which originated out of Nigeria in the 1980s, have been targeting honest people for years. They're typically triggered by an internet classified ad or auction for which the victim provides their e-mail address. The scammers reply to the ad to show their interest in purchasing the item. Soon after, the victim receives an envelope in the mail postmarked Africa or England. In the envelope are a cashier's or traveler's check and a note, usually from a "businessman" in Europe. The letter informs you of his plight to send money to his partners in Africa due to the expense and inconvenience. He asks you to cash the checks, keeping a modest percentage for your troubles, and wire or mail the remainder to his partners. What he doesn't tell you is that the checks are counterfeit and usually take five to 10 days to clear. By that time, you've already transferred his money halfway around the world. When your bank discovers the checks are bad, they come looking for you and their money. Unfortunately, because these cases originate outside the U.S., the victims have no recourse to pursue charges or recoup their money. To avoid falling for internet-based scams, practice the following precautions. - Never agree to deposit money from someone you don't know. - Avoid engaging in e-mail correspondence with people in foreign counties. - When selling items online, never provide any merchandise or services until the money has cleared. - Never send money to an intermediary, or middle-man.