⚠️ Don’t Get Scammed: Protect Yourself in the IT Marketplace
Scams are everywhere in our industry. Emails like these show up in my inbox far too often:
“Dear Traders, beware of [company name]. You send money, but never receive the products. Soon after, they stop answering emails and calls. You lose your money.”
“Individuals may be impersonating [company name] to commit fraud.”
Or sometimes it’s more subtle:
“A buyer wants expensive sample units first, but refuses to pay upfront.”
No matter your location or line of business, scammers are always looking for an angle. They change names, emails, and tactics constantly. Below are practical tips and resources to help you stay ahead of them.
Common Scams
- You pay, but nothing arrives.
- You receive counterfeits (batteries, AC adapters, etc.).
- Products arrive in worse condition than promised (e.g., “Grade A” shows up as junk).
- Seller disappears when you try to resolve the issue.
How They Operate
Scammers often use:
- Domain names close to yours (.net, .org, .us instead of .com).
- Fake reviews and cloned websites.
- New domains with short registrations (check when it was registered and when it expires).
Email Red Flags
- Missing full address and phone numbers in signatures.
- Only Skype/WhatsApp as contact options.
- Inconsistent addresses — always verify with Google Maps or even call neighboring businesses.
Counterfeit Products
Counterfeits are common with adapters and batteries. They’re lighter, cheaper, and dangerous (fire risk, high failure rates). Always compare weight and build to known originals.
Payment Red Flags
- Scammers push for wire transfer only.
- Legitimate businesses usually accept multiple payment methods (credit card, ACH, PayPal) — yes, with fees, but safer.
- Know your chargeback and reversal options before you pay.
⚖️ What to Do if You’re Scammed
Start with your attorney. They can advise on contacting law enforcement or regulators depending on the case. My e-book lists resources for finding attorneys globally and holding them accountable in fraud cases.
Prevention Tools
- Check websites on Scamadviser.com before you deal with them.
- Use BBB Scam Tracker to see real scam reports.
- Register domain variations (.net, .org, .us, etc.) to prevent impersonation.
- Consider trademarking your brand/domain name.
Resources
Here’s a shortlist of useful sites for verifying companies:
- MANTA Company Lookup
- Hoovers Company Search
- Open Corporates
- Better Business Bureau
- Ripoff Report
- Scamadviser
(Full resource list available in my e-book.)
Get My Free E-Book
Want a complete guide on avoiding scams, safe payment methods, and the best tools for verifying businesses? Fill out the form below and I’ll email you my e-book instantly:
✅ Final Thoughts
At Filmar.com, we buy and sell end-of-life corporate IT assets. I’ve seen these scams firsthand and want to help others avoid them.
If you’ve come across scams or red flags not listed here, please share in the comments so we can protect others in the industry.
Looking through all the scams and the things people do to rip others off is incredible. Has anyone ever used or implemented an Escrow company when dealing over the internet to purchase goods? I feel that this could be a viable option as money is held by a third party until goods are received and verified by the purchaser. Just a thought 🙂
Galleon nice to meet you here. Yes, there are a lot of ways of getting a good deal done between a buyer and seller. Escrow is one of them. We have used that service many times. Thank you again.