Fraud Alert: Fraudsters on AutoTrader Violating TRUSTe Trademark for Fake Escrow Services

Phishing/spoofing email attack using TRUSTe trademark.

San Francisco (PRWEB) November 28, 2007 -- Consumer privacy organization, TRUSTe, warns all internet car buyers to beware of recent incidents of fraudulent auto sellers on AutoTrader (http://www.autotrader.com) and Yahoo Autos (http://autos.yahoo.com) using TRUSTe marks to entice buyers to send cash via money transfer. These sellers are falsely identifying themselves as TRUSTe member holders, in some cases using phishing emails to ask consumers to send large sums of money by wire.

Suspect email messages ask consumers to complete transactions of items over a Money Gram transfer service to an individual posing as a verified TRUSTe agent. These individuals are not certified agents and in no way should be associated as such. These requests are falsely representative of a TRUSTe escrow service and should not be taken as legitimate.

TRUSTe encourages consumers receiving these emails to report them as soon as possible to TRUSTe's Watchdog Dispute Resolution Form: http://www.truste.org/consumers/watchdog_complaint.php

TRUSTe is dedicated to enabling individuals and organizations to establish trusting relationships based on respect for personal identity and information in the evolving network world.

An example of the false e-mail message follows. Names and other forms of identifying information have been removed from the example.

Excerpts of Sample Suspect email

Dear (RECIPIENT), the seller (SELLER) started the transaction over the TRUSTe Secured protection program. AutoTrader requires the payment for this item to be done through Money Gram money transfer service to a verified TRUSTe Agent.

If you are not familiarized with the Money Gram money transfer services please click here.

The transaction is simple and will only take several minutes.

Note: The funds will not be released under any circumstances. We will hold the payment until you will send us your confirmation that you have received, inspected and you agree to keep the package. When we will have your confirmation we will transfer the funds to the seller.

How to make payment?

1. Locate the nearest Money Gram Office.

2. Make the payment with cash using the above TRUSTe Agent details.

3. E-mail us the scanned copy of the Money Gram receipt and the Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement invoice.

4. Or Fax them to: 1 ( 909 ) 363 - 8021

About TRUSTe:

TRUSTe helps consumers and businesses identify trustworthy online organizations through its Web Privacy Seal, Email Privacy Seal and Trusted Download Programs. An independent, nonprofit organization celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2007, TRUSTe certifies more than 2,400 Web sites, including the major internet portals and leading brands such as AOL, eBay, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft and Oracle. TRUSTe resolves thousands of individual privacy disputes every year. To learn more about internet privacy visit www.truste.org.

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