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Safety Tips
We employ a number of scam checks in an attempt to keep out the unsavory. Even so, a bad apple can slip through our net. We've compiled some tips to keep you scam-free.
If you suspect fraud, please contact us via the Report Abuse button on your Mailbox page or via our Help Desk.
Scamming Overview
The end game for scammers is to steal your money, not your heart, by either:
- Convincing you to give them money (because they've fallen in love with you, even though you two have never met), or
- Attempting to collect personal/fincial information from you so that they can syphon off your bank account.
Scammers use fake photos (taken from other sites), fake addresses, fake everything.
Don't disclose personal details too soon
- Don't disclose your internet (off-site) e-mail address or telephone number until you've become comfortable with your new friend. Keep all communication within VeggieConnection.com until you've arranged a meeting.
- Don't disclose your home address until you've met in person (in a public place such as Starbucks). Even then, be cautious about such disclosure.
On-Site Communication Advantages
Keep communication on VeggieConnection.com. After all, it's 100% free! On-site e-mailing has many advantages in addiiton to being safer:
Popular Scams
- My daddy was assassinated and left me 20 million dollars. I need you, someone I've never met, to help me transfer this money to a different bank account and I'll promise you 20%.
You'll be asked for your bank account details and possibly bribe money. Then your bank account will be drained.
- I am caring, loving, truthful, and I hate liars. I happen to be in Nigeria right now on business.
Watch out for out-of-country claims.
- I'm Svetlana. I'm beautiful and I'm in love with you and want to marry you, even though we've never met and exchanged only two messages.
Can you please send me some money for {my internet fees, rent, my sick mom, a plane ticket to meet you, etc.}?
The implausible usually is. If they start asking for money, run in the other direction.
- I urgently need money because {place heart-wrenching story here}. I have no one else in the world to turn to but you, a complete stranger whom I've never met and only exchanged two e-mails with.
The implausible usually is. If they start asking for money, run in the other direction.
- I volunteer at an orphanage in Africa and the orphanage desperately needs money.
We have no where to turn except to you, someone I've never met. Can you help? Anything will do. "It's not for me, it's for the children."
A popular scam. If they start asking for money, run in the other direction.
- Can you cash $1000 in US travelers checks for me because I can't cash them in my country and just send me back $800? Keep $200 for your troubles.
The travelers checks will be fake. Your bank will invalidate the entire deposit (including the $200), and you'll be out $800 of your own money that you sent, with no legal recourse.
You could also end up being fined or even jailed for passing fraudulent travelers checks.
Connecting Tips
- Go Slow
Get to know someone on-line via several exchanges before you make any commitments to meet.
- Don't reveal Personal Information
Don't disclose your real name, phone number, address, or other personal information until well after you've met and established a trusting relationship.
- Meet in a known public place
If you both decide to meet, make it a well known public location (
such as Starbucks, Peets, ...
). A location you know nothing about might be in a poor/dangerous neighborhood and should be avoided.