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THIS IS AN IMPORTANT WARNING FROM LIVE SIMPLY!Beware of
Scams Online
Unfortunately there are some nasty people on the Internet. The main thing to
remember is everyone is not who they say they are online. So be cautious at all
times.
There are some dodgy sellers (and buyers) out there trying to rip you off, so
be aware of:
- Live Simply is not an intermediary and does not arrange any payments or
transactions. If you are contacted by someone who claims to be from Live
Simply and asks you to transfer money for an item for sale the email WILL
be fraudulent. Do NOT follow any of the instructions contained in the
email.
- 99.9% of fraud is carried out by people who won't meet you. Would you
advise your friend to send money to someone they don't know? Why are you
going to do it!
- Never transfer money without having first received the goods.
- Be wary of sending money to Western Union or Money Gram to people you don't know.
- Be careful when dealing with overseas sellers and you only have an email
address.
- If using escrow services make sure the escrow agent is legitimate.
- Even if you are a Landlord, there are scammers awaiting you.
- Meet the seller face to face and ask to see their ID. We advise only
buying and selling with people you can meet. Fraudsters dont meet people,
that's how they get caught!
- View properties in person. LiveSimply is a local community site and we encourage face-to-face, local, trading. People willing to rent a property without seeing it/ or the prospective tenant first, even if they claim that it is because they are currently overseas, are unlikely to be legitimate. For personal ease and safety, always ensure you take someone with you, or if you are inviting someone into your home ask to see personal identification first.
- Never send or wire money to landlords. This includes never mailing a cheque or using payment services like Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram to pay for properties found on LiveSimply. It is our belief that these forms of funds transfer are favoured by fraudsters
- LiveSimply doesnt offer any sort of buyer protection/ payment programs. Any emails that talk about such systems are scams, even if they may have the LiveSimply logo.
- NEW scam: If someone asks you to open a bank account to deal with
them (usually Barclays), this is 100% sure to be a scam - do not enter into
an agreement like this!
NEW Moneygram scam: If someone asks you to send money over the internet as a deposit to show you can afford the flat (usually using Moneygram), this is 100% sure to be a scam - do not enter into
an agreement like this!
NEW Scammers using Magrathea Telecommunications: Magrathea Telecommunications provide a phone number redirection service from the United Kingdom. Unfortunately this service is used by scammers to disguise their real locations. Magrathea Telecommunications Ltd. are allocated specific ranges of phone numbers. The full codes all commence :-
+44(0) and the next five digits are from the following list 70230, 70240, 70316, 70317, 70318, 70319, 70354 and 70948
Remember it's BUYER BEWARE and
if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
If you think you have been a victim of a crime, please let us know:
Info[at]livesimply.co.uk
Remember these rules
Dont do deals over the phone or by email
Full stop! Insist on meeting personally and visiting the property. Never make
a deal without seeing the property.
Never give out any banking details REGARDLESS!
Fraudsters will find any way possible to trick you into giving bank details.
No genuine Landlord or agent will ask for your bank details through an email or
over the phone. So dont do it. Insist you meet the person and sign a contract.
A typical scam is to advertise a ridiculously cheap property with fantastic
facilities. Then when you reply to the email they attempt to trick you into
supplying personal and/or banking details.
If you are suspicious then do your research
Check the company exists. Call them at different times of the day from
different numbers. See how they answer the phone. Ask questions see if they
actually know anything about the property.
Always meet someone in person
If you hand over money make sure you get a contract. Ask for a photo id of
the person as proof of their identity. If you have a camera or camera phone ask
to take a photo of the ID and write down the ID number. If possible take a photo
of the seller.
Always see the property before agreeing to any contract
Never pay a penny until you see a property. The property may not exist or may
be completely different to what the description said.
Seen a suspicious Advertisement?
Please email us immediately to info [at] livesimply.co.uk telling us the
property ID, time viewed and why it is suspicious. If you know how to either
save the page or take a screen shot. We will investigate your claims very
seriously.
Have you got any suggestions for improving this guide?
Please let us know and we will work add any valuable information you think we
need.
Be careful and good luck,
Kindest Regards
Live Simply
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