The Identity Theft Resource Center has issued a warning
about a holiday job scam called the reshipping scam. Their timing of this
warning is for the holiday season, but this is a year around scam than can hurt
you anytime of the year.
The scammers recruit people via email, text message, social
media or with ads in less than reputable websites. As a “work from home
opportunity,” they want you to accept packages, then forward them to addresses
specified by the scammer. Often the addresses at out of the country.
The scammer acquires someone else’s bankcard account number
either by purchasing it on the dark web or directly from a victim in another
scam. Or the scammer acquires a gift card number from a victim from a warrant
scam, grandparent scam, IRS scam, etc. The scammer then may use those funds to
purchase high end items, not for his own use, but to sell for a profit.
Instead of having the merchandise sent directly to the
scammer (who is often out of the country), he has it sent to someone else who
forwards it to him or to someone who has purchased the merchandise. You may be
asked to pay for the shipping with a promise that the scammer will send you a
check or money order for reimbursement.
There are several ways that you can get stuck in this scam.
If the scammer sends you a check, it will bounce. The scammer can send you a
check for more than he owes you, then tells you to deposit the check, then keep
what you are owed and send the difference back. Then the check bounces and you
are out the total amount of the check. You could also get stuck with the
shipping charges and the purchase price of whatever was in the package. You can
also be charged with a crime if the items being transferred are found to be
stolen.
The best action to take is to be skeptical of ads or offers
that claim easy money for little work.
Identity Theft Resource Center:
U.S. Postal Inspection Service:
Monster.com:
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