PLEASE READ: What to do if scammed

reseller · Posted: 06/24/07 - 03:40 Post subject:

What to do with scammers

Most guides tell you stuff that doesn't help you because it's too late. This is about what you can do NOW.

1. Get money back.
2. Get your account back.
3. Make them pay.

GETTING YOUR MONEY BACK

Most scamming happens through paypal. Paypal has strong buyer protection, but it will not help unless you know what to say.

1. Start by logging in and filing a dispute.
2. Indicate that goods were not delivered.
Do not indicate that the good were virtual, just not delivered.
If a long time has passed, say goods were not as described.
3. Paypal will begin a dispute process, and you win, guaranteed.

Success is in your favor because their policy requires sellers to provide tangible proof of delivery. Paypal policy is against buying virtul goods as much as selling, so don't tell them what it was. If you do, then "goods not as described" is better than "goods not received."

Some scammers use hacked paypal accounts, but that's usually when buying and is less likely when receiving funds.

GETTING YOUR ACCOUNT BACK

If the account is in your email address, request a password reset. Change the email address. The chance of a recovery is low. However, you can get it banned. Email the game company all information and tell them how you got that information. Game companies are against buying and selling accounts. It is very likely that the account will be banned. If not banned, it will be flagged and watched. Then make a second free email address, and send in another complaint in which you claim to be a second person that bought the account.

MAKING THEM PAY

Start out by reporting them. If you have email from them, you can get forensics from the email that can be used to determine their true identity through their internet service provider. Specificly, the IP and timestamp. If you are unfamiliar with viewing email headers, then ask your nearest geek for help.

If you had their telephone number, even a cellphone number, you can use that to track them down. Go to 411.com, look it up, and then follow the links for more information. This will cost about $25. Most tracking will have to be done yourself. Small crimes are usually ignored by authorities because they're too busy and they have big fish to fry.

Most account fraud isn't by professionals, it's teenagers that think they can get away with it. Simply getting their info and writing a letter or getting their parents involved can be powerful. Sending them a google map to their address is especially intimidating.

Some instant messenger programs reveal the IP address of the other user when they are sending messages. use a computer with no other software or open windows, make a new chat name, say hello to them. type netstat -n at the command prompt. Practice with a friend first to get used to it.

Don't forget social engineering - keep them talking, in as many ways as possible, as long as possible to help you gather more information. Again, consult someone that's familiar with computers. Don't tell them that you know they're responsible. Let them claim it must have been a hacker that has a virus on your computer, let them pretend to help you by calling the game company, etc. While this is happening, try to work some information out of them that can be used to track them down.

Resources to use for reporting and tracking:

www.ic3.gov/complaint
www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting.htm
www.network-tools.com
www.dnsstuff.com

If you are aware of additional resources or steps to take, please post them here.

PLEASE READ: What to do if scammed

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