Qotai.Com Classifieds, Free Classifieds, Free Ads

You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules whenever using Qotai:

* DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one rule and avoid 98% of scam attempts.

* NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is likely a scammer.

* FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

* QOTAI IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"

* NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)

* AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.

* DO NOT RENT HOUSING WITHOUT SEEING THE INTERIOR, OR PURCHASE EXPENSIVE ITEMS SIGHT-UNSEEN - in all likelihood that housing unit is not actually for rent and that cheap item does not exist.

* DO NOT SUBMIT TO CREDIT CHECKS OR BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR A JOB OR FOR HOUSING UNTIL YOU HAVE MET THE INTERVIEWER OR LANDLORD/AGENT IN PERSON.

Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?

U.S. Federal

* Internet Fraud Complaint Center

* FTC Video: How to report scams to the FTC

* FTC online complaint form

* FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)

* Consumer Sentinel/Military (for reports from services members or their families)

* SIIA Software and Content Piracy reporting

resources for Ohio residents

* Ohio Attorney General Consumer Complaints

Recognizing scams

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

* inquiry from someone far away, often in another country

* Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee"

* inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before...