Welcome to Ask an Expert Business Series with Misty Lambrecht, the owner of Webfoot Marketing and Design, sharing valuable insights based on her extensive 15 years of experience in business startups and advising in Lincoln County. Oh, can we please just stop with the scammers and frauds?
I swear, if I see one more Facebook Marketplace ad with a new car for almost nothing, instructing me to email for more information, or another duct cleaning ad from the guy that just moved here and 25 other places in the past week, I might scream. Honestly, it feels like the guy calling about my Google listing changed jobs, and my car warranty must have finally caught up to date. I find it incredibly challenging to keep up with all the changes and not be constantly on guard.
So, businesses are no longer taking cash as they fear being robbed not only by your standard masked bandit but also by employees. Just recently, one of Oregon's great newspapers closed down when an employee embezzled thousands. Did someone miss the basic "be kind, honest, and treat your fellow man how you want to be treated" memo? Here are a few telltale signs scammer beware:
Contractor with No Company Name or CCB Number:
● If a contractor fails to provide a company name or
Contractors Construction Board (CCB) number, it raises
concerns about legitimacy. This is required in every
advertisement by Oregon Contractor law.
Exclusive Use of Email Address on Facebook Marketplace:
● When dealing with transactions on platforms like Facebook
Marketplace, be cautious if the seller only provides an
email address for communication. Legitimate businesses
usually share multiple points of contact and detailed
information.
Unrealistic Prices for Goods or Services:
● Extremely low prices for high-value goods or services can
be a red flag. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Requests for Unusual Payment Methods:
● Fraudsters often insist on unconventional payment
methods, such as wire transfers, gift cards, or
cryptocurrency. Be wary if the seller refuses more secure
and standard payment options.
Pressure Tactics or Urgency in Transactions:
● Fraudsters may create a sense of urgency to pressure
individuals into quick decisions. Be wary of sellers who
push for immediate transactions or claim limited
availability.
I Just Joined Facebook Last Week:
● Be wary of new accounts, accounts with no profile picture,
or the same pictures posted in an ad from different
accounts. Ten new different families did not just move here
to start duct cleaning companies
Reluctance to Provide References or Portfolio:
● A reputable contractor or service provider should be willing
to share references or showcase a portfolio of previous
work. If they hesitate or refuse, it raises concerns about
their credibility.
The Bank Calls You and Wants Detailed Information:
● If the bank calls and asks you to provide detailed
information or visit a link they text you and change your
password, hang up and call your bank back on the number
listed on your account, not the number that called you.
Fraudsters often use this tactic to engage unsuspecting
individuals in giving information.
Inability to Verify Business Information:
● If you struggle to verify the legitimacy of a business
through official channels or if the provided information
does not check out, exercise caution before proceeding
with any transactions.
