You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:
DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on Tagsellit.com
NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is 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
TAG SELL IT INC. 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, PayPal info, etc.)
AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION
Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?
FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov)
Non-emergency number for your local police department.
If you suspect that an item posted for sale on Tagsellit.com may be part of a scam, please email the details to
abuse@tagsellit.com and be sure to include the URL in your message.
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 consummating transaction
Examples of Scams
1. Someone claims that Tag Sell It Inc. will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, OR claims that Tag Sell It Inc. will handle or provide protection for a payment
These claims are fraudulent, as Tag Sell It Inc. does not have any role in any transaction
Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from tagsellit.com offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, providing payment services -- all such emails are fakes
2. Distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check
You receive an email offering to buy your item
Cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for just about anything of value
Value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - scammer offers to "trust" you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
Banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases
Scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)
3. Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:
Scam "bait" items include apartments, laptops, plasma TVs, cell phones, tickets - but could be almost anything
Often claim that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE
Common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Spain, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
4. Distant person offers to send you a money order and then have you wire money:
This is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience - the cashier's check is FAKE
Sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not
Scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check
Deal often seems too good to be true
5. Distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service
Most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers
For more info, do a web search on "fake escrow" or "escrow fraud"
6. Distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods
He/She says he trusts you with the partial payment
He/She may say he has already shipped the goods
Deal often sounds too good to be true
7. Foreign company offers you a job receiving payments from customers, then wiring funds
Foreign company may claim it is unable to receive payments from its customers directly
You are typically offered a percentage of payments received
This kind of "position" may be posted as a job, or offered to you via email
A Helpful Tip for Second-Hand Treasure Hunters
Buying or selling second-hand treasures can be very exciting. The New York State Consumer Protection Board in conjunction with free papers and online listings services recommends checking the following websites to assure that these treasures have not been recalled or are not subject to a safety alert.
NYS Consumer Protection Board
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The Team at Tagsellit.com recommends that you always do your due diligence before making an investment in second-hand items. Our virtual tag sale based business offers you an incredible opportunity to see what others are advertising and with the power of the web, you can easily determine any potential flaws, or if you’ve found a diamond in the rough!
