~ Scam Info

Beware the Internet Scammer

The Editor of Used Harp Mart.ca (Stephen Vardy) has an Internet hobby of identifying and reporting harp scams on eBay. The harp is a favourite scammer's target as the prices are high and generally harp Buyer/Seller's are less internet savvy. These scammers are both creative and ruthless - some scammers are feckless, some proficient. Expect that some of these scammers will frequent this site on occasion posing as Buyers and possibly as Sellers.

The Editor Stephen will take due care with identifying each submitter of the listings on this website but cannot "certify" any Seller as bonafide. The Buyer's and Seller's identification, the submitted listing content, the veracity of this content, the terms and condition's of the transaction, the shipping agreement/pricing/insurance and all payment or fraud issues therein are strict responsibilities of the Buyer and the Seller as outlined in our Disclaimer. It therefore, behooves both the Buyer and the Seller to be up with the play on scams when doing private transactions over the web.

What follows are a series of statements about private transactions and scams found on the Internet. The scammer content provided below is by no means definitive. If you feel you are the recipient of an attempted scam contact the Editor and an additional warning will be added to this page. stephen@westcoastharps.com

~ Common-Sense Guidelines

You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense guidelines:

1. Deal locally with people you meet in person - follow this one simple guideline and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on the internet.
2. Never wire funds by Western Union, Moneygram or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
3. Fake cashiers cheques & money orders are common, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.
4. Never refund moneys within 90 days of deposit.
5. www.usedharpmart.ca and www.westcoastharps.com IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY PRIVATE TRANSACTION on the Used Harp Mart, and do not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, private shipping information, technical advice, value estimates, condition assessments, or offer any "buyer protection" or "seller certification".
6. Never give out financial information - bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.
7. Never do communications, financial transactions or shipping outside of Canada for a sale
8. Never be "Rushed" or "Accept Confidentiality Requirements" - common tactic to isolate the decision making to just one person therebye limiting potential awareness to the scam.
9. USE Canada Post Postal Orders for payment at a distance - they can be verified immediately by telephone to a P.O. telephone number available on the Internet - purchase orders in multiples of up to CAD$999.99 at the P.O. for $5.95 each.

~ Examples of Scams

1. Someone claims that Editor Stephen/Used Harp Mart.ca/West Coast Harps will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, OR claims that Editor Stephen/Used Harp Mart.ca/West Coast Harps will handle or provide protection for a payment

• These claims are fraudulent, as The Used Harp Mart.ca does not have any role in any private transaction.
• Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from Editor Stephen/Used Harp Mart.ca/West Coast Harps, offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, providing payment services -- all such emails are fakes!

2. Distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check

• you receive an email (examples below) offering to buy and ship your harp sight unseen
• cashier's check is offered for your harp
• value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - scammer offers to "trust" you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
• banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
• scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)

3. Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:

• Often claim that a security code, 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 be anywhere including inside Canada
• Harp listing may be local, but the harpist/owner is "travelling" or "relocating" and needs you to wire money to them abroad
• Deal often seems too good to be true, price is too low etc

4. 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 shipping, sometimes not
• scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check
• deal often seems too good to be true

5. 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"

6. Distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship the harp

• he says he trusts you with the partial payment
• he may say he has already shipped the harp
• deal often sounds too good to be true

7. Scammers are getting a little more crafty. This scam is similar to the known internet frauds listed above, where the buyer wants a large amount of "change" back from a check, or payment to a "shipper". What is different is that the initial contact appears to come from somewhere near the seller (a local town) and is well-worded and believable.

Remember, as a Seller you never need to send anyone money. If you find yourself in this situation then you are being scammed. Only accept payment as cash or as Canada Post Postal Orders which are verifiable at the Canada Post website.

~ Examples of Scam Emails Received by Buyers & Sellers on this Website

Please send any scams received to Editor Stephen for inclusion on this page - stephen@westcoastharps.com

----- Original Message -----
From: Veronica Gibson <veronicaggibson10@yahoo.co.uk>
To: seller@yourdomain.net
Subject: (Harpmaker Name)Harp

DEAR SELLER,

I SAW YOUR ADVERT AND AM GENUINELY INTERESTED IN PURCHASING YOUR (Harpmaker Name) Harp, AND I WILL OFFER YOU $5,200.

I WILL APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN GET BACK TO ME WITH THE PRESENT CONDITION, AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU LIKE THE OFFER SO THAT I CAN PROCEED WITH PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY. HOWEVER, PAYMENT IS BY BANK TRANSFER TO YOUR ACCOUNT OR CERTIFIED CHEQUE ISSUED TO YOUR NAME.

NOTE: I'M A SAILOR BUT DON'T BE BOTHERED ABOUT THE SHIPMENT BECAUSE I WILL DO THE PICK UP MYSELF.

HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON GOD BLESS.

THANK YOU,
GARY GIBSON

Stephen's Note: The message was all LARGE CAPS except for the harp description was small caps. The harp was located inland in a landlocked province so this pirate/sailor had a prairie schooner. Note that many scammers have UK addresses.

From: tony williams <tony_will1@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Am interested in your Harp
To: trondra9@gmail.com

Hello,
Am Tony, I am highly interested in buying your item for sale,with Photos attached please let me know if it is still available and present condition and also I will want you to send me your final asking prize,you can get back to me asap.My means of payment is by certified check withdrawn from any bank .kindly get back to me here in my mail box Tony_will1@yahoo.ca

My best regard
Tony