Danger signs prompts Junk Mail user to avoid scam

ScamA Junk Mail user (Renee) recently avoided being scammed by spotting four danger signs. Today I’m sharing her story with you. I’m pretty sure that many of you will find this information useful.

Renee posted an advert for her Pro Sound system on Junk Mail and received an e-mail from a guy claiming to be Mark from Bloemfontein (using promotionvanweb@gmail as his contact e-mail address and 083 4160081 as his contact telephone number). Without inspecting or viewing the item that Renee is advertising he offered to do an EFT and have his driver from Johannesburg (a guy named Jonathan using 078 3325355 as his contact telephone number) collect the item on the same day.

While the driver was on his way to Renee to collect the item, she phoned First National Bank and was advised by them NOT to release the goods. She phoned the driver who was at the gate of her estate and told him to return later. She called the driver again to tell him to come back for collection at the end of the same day (with the security manager ready to catch him at her estate gate) but she never heard from the driver again. Think about it this way: that phone call to FNB saved her R2,900.

Renee was convinced that this was a scammer trying to defraud her because she took note of these four danger signs:

1. There was a sense of urgency from the potential buyer. He could not wait until the next day for his payment to be in. Renee received an SMS confirming payment (which looked a lot like a direct SMS from FNB) and a PDF statement from FNB.

2. The scammer paid R100 more into Renee’s account (R3,000 instead of R2,900). He probably did this because he wanted to gain her trust.

3. The trace ID number on the statement were just stars (********) and the link to the ‘Verify Payment’ function on the FNB website was linked to their home page only.

4. The driver arrived earlier than initially announced, having a surprise effect on Renee.

There you have it, right out of the horses mouth. Renee just provided you all with a basic step by step guide to avoid being scammed. When it comes to scams the golden rule is to be smart and savvy. Question anything that leaves you feeling suspicious.

If you encounter a scam while using our website, please report it to the Junk Mail Customer Care Department via e-mail or telephonically on 012-3423840 x2295 as soon as possible.  If you need more information about scams, check out the Safety & Security page on the Junk Mail help site.

Spread the word about Renee’s story by sharing this article on Facebook and Twitter. Remember: Sharing is Caring.

Henno Kruger

Digital Marketing Campaign Coordinator at Junk Mail Publishing.

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2 Responses

  1. tshepo says:

    than you for this wonderful warning

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