Beware Ferengi Merchants from West Africa

PepperEyes.com is an online supplier of a wide variety of high quality, discount Pepper Sprays and discount Stun Guns, and other protection products. We advertise on many of the FREE internet selling site. And like other citizens and merchants who sell on the internet we get our share of scam buyers.  

Here is an example of one we received the other day.
  

Calvin Klein
May 29 at 3:56pm
 

  

Hi i am interested in buying your item Displayed, i want to buy your item for my relative who is currently in West Africa in a missionary school as a seminarian,unfortunately celebrating his Birthday (His very crazy about this item),if you can mail to explain the actual condition presently, i am willing to offer $50, with the shipping and handling to Nigeria,also i want you get back to me with your paypal e-mail ID so that i can transfer your money to your paypal account as soon as possible,get back to me on my e-mail (kleincalvin52@yahoo.com) Your urgent response will be highly appreciated.

Thanks and God bless

 

 Emails from internet buyers (usually foreign, or from Nigeria) offering you more than your selling price if you accept their check or money order are typical. The fact that this is a scam may seem obvious but there are lots of variations on this theme that fool people every day. Don’t add your name to the growing list of Craigslist, Oodle or other internet fraud victims. Be smart, be aware and if in doubt ask your friends or someone with internet savvy what they think if things sound fishy.
 

 Here are a few pointers that let me know that this is a scam buyer.

• The Name – Either this is Marty McFly in 1955 or the Jean maker. I don’t doubt there are people named Calvin Klein. But it just raises a flag
• They will ask if you would be willing to ship your item, often to overseas. (Examples: it’s a gift for someone who is studying or working in Africa, it’s for their relative, client, etc.)
• Willing to pay more than the item is listed for. The item in question is listed for $10.47 and they are offering to pay more than I am asking or asking you to ship to a foreign country (usually Nigeria or any place in West Africa.
• My advertisement clearly has a link to my store front where they can purchase the item. So why should I would I have to go through the extra steps.

 More details:

•At best, a seller will ship their item and not receive any money.
•They might send the seller a check for more money than you asked for and ask you to send some amount back under a complicated excuse. (Examples: send money to their “shipping agent”, the check was from their “client” and they ask you to send them their cut, they made a mistake, etc.).
•The check is fake and the seller’s bank will bounce it in a few weeks. 

Please be very careful when dealing with people in West Africa, or asking to send to West Africa. FraudWatchers told us that because of the high rate of corruption in Benin, many Nigerians work from Benin, where they would not be prosecuted. Benin, Togo, Nigeria and Cameroon are countries with the highest incidents of fraudulent behaviour in West Africa. 

You will also note that instead of buying from PepperEyes.com they wanted me to send them my PayPal E-mail address. While PayPal is one of the most safest ways to transfer money, customers need to be aware of fake e-mails like the ones below. PayPal offers great buyer and seller protection programs, so long as operate in the in their rules. 

========================================…
*PAYPAL PAYMENT APPROVED*
========================================…
  

PAYPAL MONEY PAYMENT APPROVED*
Dear, <Your name>
 

Congratulations! The order placed by the buyer of your item to have a ® payment of (dollars) sent to you as payment for the item (xxxxxxxxxxxxx) has been successfully processed and has consequently been APPROVED. The financial details of the transaction are stated in the confirmation mail.We will send you a confirmation mail in the next 10 mins:
 

—————————————
 

Or 

Dear <your name>
 

Paypal Authority is using this opportunity to inform you that a transaction of $830.00 USD will be transferred into your paypal account. The transaction was received from Mrs.Serah Mog Ugbo for the item bought from you, we will like you to provide us with the shipment tracking number for the item and as soon as this is done your money will be transferred into your account in 24/48 hours,
 

Always log into paypal directly (don’t use any link in the e-mail) and verify any funds. You may want to wait a few days to make sure. You many also ask PayPal to verify the funds. They offer get services to protect you. 

We want to give you the following advice on avoiding scams to anyone using their service:

• Trust your instincts (always the best defense)
• Deal only with local buyers and sellers, or reputable dealers (internet store fronts with a good reputation)
• NEVER wire funds to a distant buyer, via Western Union or any other carrier (the extra amount they want back)
• Be wary if the other party wants to use an escrow service such as BidPay, Squaretrade, or even PayPal (see fake emails above)
• NEVER give out personal financial information (eBay or PayPal login info, checking account number, SSN, etc.)

   PepperEyes.com is dedicated to meeting the safety needs of you, your friends, or your family members by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim of crime.  If you want to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and property arm yourself with our products and the knowledge about the best way to stay safe in an ever-increasing violent world. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option. 

Out for a walk? Don’t be a Risk Taker.

A quick search on the internet or just watching the news on the TV indicate that anyone can be a crime victim. The following crimes are samples of things that have happened in the past few months.

 * A woman walking home early Saturday morning from a bar was attacked and robbed- May 25, 2010|By Pamela Lehman
 * Voluntown – State police say a 21-year-old man suffered a broken jaw and eye socket early Saturday morning when he was assaulted while walking along Route 138 – May 24^th, 2010

* Police say a woman was walking along Winters Alley and returning home when she says she was approached by a suspect who demanded money. – Mary 25^th 2010
 *Jogger stabbed on Riverwalk near Michigan Ave – April 24^th 2010 

 According to the Department of Justice Crime Statistics 

• Every 15 seconds, someone in the US is robbed.
• Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted.
• Every 6 minutes, someone in the U.S. is raped. 

You’re always vulnerable when you walk down the street you would think that your own neighborhood would be safe. If you are running or walking alone, in the dark or in secluded areas you are at risk. Each time you are unprepared, you may be exposing yourself to criminal elements; criminals who may see a female joggers or walkers as easy marks. As you can tell from the news headlines even men have been attacked or robbed while jogging or walking alone. Some criminals have figured out that a jogger may be too out of breath to put up a fight, thus, easy pickings for robbery and/or rape. Physical fitness should be an important part of your daily life, just make sure you are protected as well.

Are you aware that most assaults take place within 1 mile of a person’s home or workplace? These attacks just don’t happen when you are walking near your home or to and from a parking garage. You can be a crime victim anywhere, even at the local shopping center or in a restaurant. According to crime experts, violent assaults can also be committed for a number of reasons including racial, sexual or other discrimination. This is one of the reasons why it is important to always carry pepper spray and have it where you can get to it.

 Once you become a victim of crime or crime creeps into your neighborhood, it can shatter your sense of safety, causing anger, loss of confidence, guilt and sadness or depression. If you are ready to defend yourself with pepper spray and send an attacker running, you will instead feel the emotions of victory.

PepperEyes.com is dedicated to meeting the safety needs of you, your friends, or your family members by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim of crime.  If you want to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and property arm yourself with our products and the knowledge about the best way to stay safe in an ever-increasing violent world. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.

Summer Crime is on it’s way…

About last year this time I wrote the Summer Time Summer Crime Article.  The other night on the news I was watching the news that showed three teen vandals who broke into a West Ashley liquor store early Tuesday morning and stole bottles of booze.  And I started thinking.  Yep, it’s getting to be that time of the year again when kids will be getting out of school and looking for something to ease that boredom.  In my day that meant either just playing with friends or getting the summer job. However, with more adults taking jobs that would have gone to teen, that leave some of the mischievous teens looking for cheap thrills which may mean breaking into homes and businesses.  It just a societal fact than as the thermometer number increases so does the amount of crime 

In the case of these three teens at they threw a large rock into the Wholesale Liquors on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard at 4am. (instead of being home in bed)  The store’s security surveillance cameras were rolling when the suspects threw a large rock through the front window, setting off the alarms.  The teenage vandals were in the store for only 45 seconds apparently wanting to get alcohol.

Because their crime was captured on video and shown on several news stations the three suspects surrendered to the police Tuesday night after the broadcast.

General Tips

Bike Theft Prevention

• Most bicycles are stolen while left unlocked in driveways, on the lawns, outside stores, on parkways. Some bicycles thieves enter closed garages with unlocked side service doors. If you’re not riding it, ALWAYS LOCK IT UP!

Vacation Watches

• When leaving town on vacation, stop by the police department to fill out a vacation house watch. We’ll keep an eye on your home.
• Have someone pick up your mail and any newspapers.
• Leave a lamp on a timer.
• Tell a trusted neighbor to watch your house while you are gone and provide them with information on how to reach you
• Make sure you keep your lawn neat, so that it looks like someone is around
• Read my previous blogs on Home invasions (for additional information)

General Safety

• Do not leave valuables or cash in your car.
• If you must leave items in the car, put items in the trunk. If you have folding rear seats, make sure those are locked also.
• When driving, always lock your doors.
• If you have small children, check to see if your rear vehicle doors have child safety locks and, if so, activate them. (Your owner’s manual will give you the specifics.)

PepperEyes.com is dedicated to meeting the safety needs of you, your friends, or your family members by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim of crime.  If you want to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and property arm yourself with our products and the knowledge about the best way to stay safe in an ever-increasing violent world. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.

Do you want a career in Money Laundering

Today I received two e-mails in my in-box (I’m posting the shorter of the two)   

Our Company have reviewed your resume from [Site Deleted} resume base, reviewed it and think that you to be a great applicant for this job which we suggest.
Our firm are currently looking for a few qualified persons for a vacant position “Account Coordinator”.

   

The main task of this position is to collect payments ( bank transfers and cheques ) from our customers in United States.
If you haven’t bank account, We will help you to open a new one. 

  

Average salary is $600-$800 per week.  

General Requirements:  

- Responsibility
- Age: 21+
- Ability to work at home
- Computer skills (MS Word), personal e-mail address
- US Citizenship  

NO START-UP FEE   

     

The other E-mail  from the Asset Exchange Company‏ started out with    

Our HR managers looked through all your papers and experience and highly recommended you for the job of an “Manager” in our corporation. The given job consists of getting bank checks from our US customers, cashing them and sending money by Western Union. You will be given all the detailed information over the phone and to your e-mail address. There will be also necessary to fill in the reports on the carried out work on time.
We need a person of 21 to 67 years old with the US citizenship   

We will call you for more detailed information and will discuss everything with you with pleasure.
The salary rate is between $6,000 and $8,000 per month. 
 

   

   

  

If you are interested in this position ask yourself one important question:   

Why would a company hire you to cash checks for them? Why would they not run the checks through their company banks account  instead of western union?  This is because these are bogus checks. You cash them and send the money to these people whom you’ll never hear from or be able to contact again.  In the meantime, when these bogus check bounce on a bank account with your name on it, guess who the bank is going to ask to pay the money back.  That’s right YOU.   

Remember if it sounds to good to be true… it is.   

PepperEyes.com is dedicated to meeting the safety needs of you, your friends, or your family members by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim of crime.  If you want to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and property arm yourself with our products and the knowledge about the best way to stay safe in an ever-increasing violent world. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.    

How Long Will My Pepper Spray Last?

Have you been carrying around your pepper spray for a long time, and wondering if it is still any good?  May be May Not.  You definitely want to know that it will work when you need it most. But how can you tell?

Most pepper sprays have an expiration date stamped on the canister, usually 2 to 4 years from the time of manufacture. Although the spray life is indefinite it does start to lose potency over time. Any use of the spray beyond the expiration date is highly inadvisable. We strongly suggest that you to replace your pepper spray long before the expiration date! Pick a date like your even birthdays. That way you are always assured of the potency of the spray. Take your old one to a safe place and target practice with it. Become familiar with how far it will spray, how to unlock it, etc. When practicing with your defensive spray, be aware of air movements and wind patterns and be very careful not to contaminate yourself.

General Replacement Recommendations
Some People usually recommend that you change your pepper spray every year or two. However, we have had canisters that lasted for four that have still been potent.

 

Most Pepper spray containers are designed for a one time use. Think of this , if you HAVE to use your spray, be sure you use ALL OF IT on the attacker. There should not be any holding back…if he continues to approach you should be hosing and hosing him. Force him to come through the fog of the spray in order to get you. Use the spray like a chemical shield which allows you the chance to escape.

The fact that the key chain sized units are a trade-off on size vs. capacity, I would definitely consider it a one-time use.

Remember This
1. Treat your spray as a life-saving tool. Every couple of years, spend a few bucks with a friend and replace your canisters.

2. If you have to use your spray, don’t be stingy — continue to spray the guy until your canister is empty. There is little use in trying to save it for another time.

PepperEyes.com is dedicated to meeting the safety needs of you, your friends, or your family members by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim of crime.  If you want to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and property arm yourself with our products and the knowledge about the best way to stay safe in an ever-increasing violent world. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.