Earlier on AskMeta there was a question on being conned. I gave 50€ to a pregnant couple at a train-station - both couple and money I never saw again. I'd like to keep helping - but avoid being scammed in the process. How do you differentiate between "fishy" and "worth my help". Have you stopped looking at these cases altogether? [more inside]
posted by mathiu on Dec 13, 2009 - 51 answers

Making an expensive, long-distance purchase. He only accepts "cashier's checks/money orders". How do I protect myself? [more inside]
posted by Glendale on Jan 15, 2009 - 16 answers

I have made several purchases from a small on-line company. They have always shipped the order out correctly and on time. I just received and email from them stating that they had a problem with my payment. If they genuinely had a problem, I want to help them fix it. If this is a scam, I don't want to be an idiot. I'm confused by them telling me not to reply to the email, but to send a new one. I would appreciate any help or advice that anyone could give me. [more inside]
posted by colt45 on Aug 19, 2008 - 12 answers

I'm looking for books, articles, movies or documentaries about con-artists / pathological liars. [more inside]
posted by SmileyChewtrain on Aug 8, 2008 - 29 answers

UK phone fraud: Someone stole my phone and rang up £3000 of calls to Nigeria. The phone company says it's my fault for not keeping tabs on the phone and I have to pay it. Is there anything I can do? [more inside]
posted by Drexen on Jun 27, 2008 - 24 answers

At what point is a PayPal transaction considered "cleared?" In other words, when can I stop worrying about fraud. And what other protections can I take to protect myself? [more inside]
posted by uaudio on Feb 29, 2008 - 11 answers

Responding to an 'advance fee fraud' email. I've had a blatant 'advance fee fraud' email from someone in west africa wanting to buy my car online (I am in Ireland). I want to respond in a way that sends this would-be fraudster down the longest rabbit hole possible. [more inside]
posted by superfurry on Jun 27, 2007 - 10 answers

Can I sue a lawyer who helped his client commit financial fraud against my dad? [more inside]
posted by Kimpossible on Mar 24, 2007 - 12 answers

ScamFilter: Is Public Gold a multi-level marketing scam? Or a "legit" MLM? [more inside]
posted by ObscureReferenceMan on Mar 20, 2007 - 8 answers

I posted some items for sale on Craigslist, and shortly thereafter I got email from a typical scammer who wanted to send me and have me cash a check from "his client," and I'd refund him the balance--you know, the textbook overpayment with a fake check scam. Now, I'd like to have some fun with this. [more inside]
posted by fandango_matt on Feb 15, 2007 - 18 answers

What should I do about overhearing what I think was the pitch for a ponzi scheme? [more inside]
posted by frieze on Jan 26, 2007 - 26 answers

SketchyDebtCollectionsFilter: Someone calling and demanding payment on a credit card that was paid off and cancelled in 2002. Fraud? Error? What can be done? [more inside]
posted by moss on Jul 6, 2006 - 16 answers

I bought a $7000 item on ebay, paid through paypal, received a giant box of sand... I know all of this guys contact info but local police, fbi, fedex, ebay and paypal don't seem to be willing to help. How can I get my money back (or should i just firebomb his house)? [more inside]
posted by hummercash on Oct 7, 2005 - 51 answers

CollectionAgencyFilter: I bought an item on eBay in July and paid with my Visa debit card using BidPay. When it became clear that the seller was a scammer and wasn't going to deliver, I contacted my bank and they issued a chargeback on BidPay, and I got my money back. Today I received a somewhat threatening email from BidPay saying that I still owe them the full amount, and if I don't pay they're going to sic a collection agency on me. Do I have to pay it? [more inside]
posted by reflexed on Sep 1, 2005 - 7 answers

I believe this is one of those PayPal lookalike steal all your personal info pages. What are the steps one goes through to report something like this? And to whom? [more inside]
posted by banished on Apr 1, 2004 - 11 answers