Fraud Alerts
To help you (whether a Buyer or a Seller) protect yourself from fraudulent activities, please read the following.
The Golf Classifieds is not involved in the shipment or payment of any transaction, does not guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer buyer protection and/or seller certification. If you believe a classified advertisement is fraudulent or part of a scam, please contact us and be sure to include the URL of the classified advertisement in your message.
Basics
- Never wire funds
- Be cautious with cashier checks and money orders. Banks will cash them and then hold you responsible if it is a fake
- Never give out financial information
- Avoid dealings where buyer/seller suggest 3rd party handles shipping and/or escrow service.
- Deal locally with buyers/sellers you can meet in person whenever possible.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, please do one of the following:
- Call the FTC toll free hotline at 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
- Complete the FTC online complaint form
- Call the Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
- Contact Internet Fraud Complaint Center
- Call Non-emergency number for your local police department.
*If you believe a classified advertisement is fraudulent or part of a scam, please contact us and be sure to include the URL of the classified advertisement in your message.
**TGC manually reviews each and every email inquiry sent from potential buyers to our advertisers to help avoid scams.
Sample of potential scam emails sent to TGC advertisers
Rich father died
From : Elisabeth Benson Abidjan, Ivory Coast West Africa. Please reply me through my private e-mail address (elisaben13@yahoo.com) APPEAL FOR URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE. Dearest One, Permit me to inform you of our desire of going into business relationship with you. I am quite aware that my message will come to you as a surprise because it is indeed very strange for someone you have not met before to contact you in this regard. I am Ms Elisabeth Benson the only daughter of late Mr George Benson. My father was a very wealthy Coccoa merchant in Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory coast, my father was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings on a business trip . My mother died when I was a baby and since then my father took me so special. Before the death of my father on March 2006 in a private hospital here in Abidjan he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of (Six million,five hundred thousand United State Dollars).USD($6.500,000,00) left in fixed / suspense account in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan,that he used my name as his only daughter for the next of Kin in depositing of the fund. He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates. That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose such as real estate or hotel management. Dear, I am honourably seeking your assistance in the following ways: (1) To provide a bank account into which this money would be transferred to. (2) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am only 23years. (3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education and also to secure a resident permit in your country. Moreover,Dear I am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum as compensation for your effort/ input after the successful transfer of this fund into your nominated account overseas. Furthermore,Dear please indicate your options towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be conclude within seven (7) days you signify your interest to assist me. Anticipating to hear from you urgently. Thanks and God bless. Yours Sincerely, Elisabeth Benson Please reply me through my private e-mail address (elisaben13@yahoo.com) Thanks
Posted on: 5/15/2007 8:15:09 PM
Golf Blub, Nigeria
Hello there, It is my great pleasure to contact you about my interest. I interested in the purchase of this item offered for sale, i want to send it as a Gift of appreciation for my friend at the Ibadan Golf Blub, Nigeria. Please, do let me know if it`s still available for sale and it`s present condition. Also, how you`ll like me to proceed with the purchase. Thank you and i await your prompt response. Best regards, Bola. Phone: 6464290686
Posted on: 5/3/2007 7:44:12 AM
...shipping via "private shipping company"
Good day , I am Steve Moss , i am very much interested in buying this item from you and i will arrange the shipping via a private shipping company ,i will pay you via money order or check ,so if you agree to sell this item to me i will want you to send me the final asking price for the item , and i will need your full name and address so that the money order can be issued and sent to you fast. I will be looking forward to your mail. Thanks alot and regards to family. Steve.........
Posted on: 4/25/2007 7:10:26 AM
Email from Samuel
Hello Seller .... I am Samuel I am so much intrested in the Listed Item on the site and i will like to know the last cost of it and how to pay for the Item i can pay via the Certified Cashier US Check or money order and i will like to know the last price also does it include the shipping fee? Thanks Samuel
Posted on: 4/8/2007 9:18:35 PM
Multiple misspellings and cashiers checks
Hello,my name is tony martins.. How are you doing ? ,i went through on this advert and Am highly interested in buying your item for my client and i will like to know if you are intrested in selling this item to my cklient.so let me know your actual price and the condition of the item .so my client will issure of a payment for the item by cashier cheque/Money order, In term of shipping ,we have an international shipping company that we come for the picking up of the item, they will be coming to your location for the pickup of the item. So if you are interested get back to me with your Contact info: Full name.... Home address.... zipcode........ country........ Phone number..... Regard
Posted on: 3/30/2007 10:42:12 PM
Buyer uses an agent to pick up the item
Compliment of the year , how are you and your family doing Today , This is a purchase request notification for your item on www.thegolfclassifieds.com, im so much satisfy with the detailed informations posted with it. However, first of all let me use this opportunity to introduce myself to you, i am Mr frank desmond, i am a procurement agent, i specializes on the purchases of item round the globe on behalf of my respective clients especially as it is upon their request. Furthermore, prior to placing an order for it, i would like you to furnish me further with the following enquiries; -How long have you been using it. -Your reason for selling it. -It`s picture for closer look. -Your final asking price excluding the pick_up cost as this will be handled by my respective local pick_up agent who will come down to your place of location for an immediate pickup immediately payment will be made Via Us Bank cashier check , if you can agree with the explanation get back to me with your payment information Full Name , Contact Address, Phone Number , Hope to continue doing business with you , Best Regards Frank
Posted on: 3/29/2007 11:06:31 PM
Certified Cashiers Check
Hello, I got your contact through the internet in regard to your Posted ads (50 dozen Wilson/Ultra) placed forsale, please let me know your selling price $????(please confirm the price), pls let me know if it`s still available forsale. I will like you to give me details about is present status. I look forward to your response and note that payment will be via a Certified Cashiers Check. Thanks GUSTAVO LUQUE
Posted on: 3/29/2007 11:10:57 AM
From Australia Buyer
Hello, I just place a look on your item you placed on the webiste..before i move further i will like to ask some question. 1.What is the condition of the item? 2. Do you accept (MONEY ORDER or CERTIFIED CHECK) as a mode of payment? 3. What is the final asking prize of the item? 4. Will you let our global shipping company to come to your house for the pick up of the item cos the shipping cost will be added to the payment i will be sending to you and i don`t want you to worry yourself about the shipping of the item. 5. Will you be able to send excess funds (shipping cost) back to the global shipping Company in Australia via western union money transfer same day you recieve and cash the Payments so that they can make the use of the Money to come and pick up the item from your home to Australia 6.if You are okay send your full NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE COUNTRY TEL # Get back to me with the infor to mail out the payment today thanks. Teddy Kim
Posted on: 3/29/2007 11:10:14 AM
