₦airaland Forum

Flexherbal:
OP, thanks for the post.

you are welcome Flexherbal. Hope Business is going good

dealsunplug:
nice post for us thank you....

you are welcome. Transact safely

Donvilo:
Like some posters hav already said, the key to avoiding these smooth-talkers is contentment-in-christ. Greed is the number one weakness that the enemy always looks out in all of us

Indeed, greed!

celestialAgent:
Say not so my dear FOR many are real, but bereft of capital to project a bureau. Their cognizance about web development will prolly astonish you should you endeavor to patronize the apt ones..

But where are they? The apt ones, they have not done a great job of separating themselves from the crooks

@Adedsbeads

please do not reveal much on this forum. Keep your progress to yourself. These guys are also on NL, we dont want them knowing your moves. Whatever step you have taken, keep it sealed. We just want him caught. And he will be caught.

@BrandR

Thank you very much for this brilliant post. It follows that we need to keep on sensitizing ourselves. Are you a designer yourself?

professore:
This is an excellent post

Thanks @ Le professore

missKiffy:
How does the pyramid stuff work

it goes this way: Someone comes to you and tells you about this nice business or proposal. The aim is for you to make money. However, you have to register through him. You either buy something or part with some money. Now, for you to make money, you have to sell the same idea to someone to register through. Thus, you have successfully created a pyramid scheme. The money you pay is used to pay those at the top of the pyramid, supposedly.

It is called ponzi scheme, network marketing, etc.

It is one of the oldest money scams in the book. Steal from Peter to pay Paul.

Ralphdan:
Them go still catch some pple

True dat. We just need to sensitize each other to make informed decisions

arofemites:
This is really helpful. We'll chase dem down. From yahoo rats to 419 pests.

Our hard earned can't sink into d hands of some impatient, covetours, lazy n dirty squirrel set of people. Only if we are very carefully screen our deals and ignore every offer with an unrealistic margin.

God bless real people hustlings.

I like your spirit. We cant just fold our hands and wait for miracle.

May God bless our Handiwork

VocalWalls:
That pyramid stuff... That's like the only thing that can make me lose my 'gentleman cool'

I feel you. Still, some people fall for the same trick over and over again

Thanks @Adesiji77

@Lordtrillion

Play on words, play on

Scammers are getting really sophisticated by the day. The scammer is always inventing and strategizing. They seem to always be ahead of us good folk. No matter! We can still take steps to secure ourselves from these blood suckers. Below are some general guiding tips to help us make informed decisions

Telltale Sign of a Possible Scam: Use your Common Sense and Instincts!

1: Deal is always too good to be true: Noticeable sign of a scam is that the scammer presents it as being cheap, easy to get etc. there is always a catch. Stay away IF THE DEAL IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. could be a car, a recharge car, a data bundle, machinery, etc.

2: Hurry up and Pay now: The scammer would always want to prey on your anxiety, your fear. Because the scammer knows that the deal is cheap, they try to make sure you pay up. The trick is to make you believe you would lose something.

3: Demands upfront payment: The scammer would most always ask that you pay all or pay upfront. Usually half the price.

4: No specific business location: Some scammers do not have specific business address or location. even if they do, it would be fake. You could ask here on NL if someone is familiar with that address or that business.

5: No Corporate Bank Account: Usually a personal bank account. The scammer might tell you he is a freelancer as the reason for not having a corporate Bank account. Don't fall for this bull! I have been there before.

6: Name of Scammer sometimes does not match Account Name: Be very vigilant if the scammer gives you a different account from his/her name. Real red flag

7: Pay half now, pay half on delivery: This is a good trick aimed at making sure that you part with at least some money. For the scammer, it does not matter, as long as he gets something. Never pay up without seeing your goods.

8: Calls to ask if you have paid the money: The scammer could call you at odd hours, could call you every minute or every hour. Job related scammers have been known to do this all the time. Anyone that calls you up to make a payment is likely not legit.

9: Pay for training: Job related scammers would tell you to pay for training. Some would even ask you pay, even 1k.

10. Pay a sum of money to secure a bigger, better job: For e.g. they would tell you the job pays 200k, but you need to pay 45k to secure it.

11: No visible business location: Every legitimate business should have a location; it does not matter if you run it from your house, your basement or the garage.

Rules to help Minimize Risks: Never Ever be Greedy, Greed leads to scams!

Rule 1: Be very patient: Never be too much in hurry to close a deal. The scammer is counting on this. His trick is to make sure he creates anxiety on your mind.

Rule 2: Due Diligence: Please research the person with whom you intent deal. Goggle his name, phone number

Rule 3: Search on Nairaland. The search box on nairaland is there for a reason. Search user names, phone numbers, etc. If the scammer operates on NL, you would know.

Rule 4: Open a thread on nairaland about the person: This would solicit feedback from good nairalanders. Someone on NL may have good information about that person.

Rule 5: Ask for Facebook / Business Page: I know some scammers have Facebook pages, asking for one would help you make informed decision.

Rule 6: Demand a Corporate Account: Always demand a corporate Bank account. It is more Trust worthy than individual account

Rule 7: Always demand for CAC registration number: I know some scammers have taken the pain to register scamming enterprises. Still, asking for CAC registration number would help you quickly make up your mind. You can always place a call to CAC to confirm.

Rule 8: Never Pay Upfront: Unless you established a business relationship.

Rule 9: Pay on delivery: Even better, ask to foot the transportation bill.

Rule 10: Offer to Pick up the Goods Personally: If Rule 8 does not work. This always works, in my experience.

Rule 11: Run a Bank Check: Call up the bank, ask them to confirm the account number. They may be reluctant to reveal other information due banking policy. Sometimes you may be lucky to get some good information.

Rule 12: Stay Away from Pyramid Schemes: NO NO NO!


This is not exhaustive. Please Add yours and transact safely!

It is like a mini civil war in here. Our tribal sentiments simply overwhelm our common sense

Well, things seem to be looking good. If only we can match the name to a face. Would be sweet. Meanwhile OP, be patient. make sure you update the police with every info you receive.

Good nairalannders someone should help us match this name to a face. Wouod personally create a special in his name. His days are numbered indeed.

Good tips OP. I am presently working on creating ecomerce presence in Nigeria.

I think the biggest challenge is the capital to start.

The second challenge is sourcing your products. It is really very difficult getting very reliable and consistent suppliers especially if you getting into a niche or something that has to do with authenticity and originality.

Prdo:
I think one can just have a dedicated account or card for this online & POS transactions, which is only funded on purpose for payment/transaction. This account should always be near empty/low in cash except a transaction is about to take place. Alternatively, the ecash/virtual account or wallet may be preferable for online transactions.

I think a combination of two accounts wouod be a good combination. It has been suggested here on different occasions. I will definitely adopt this strategy

Dasshboard:
Alternatively, get a prepaid card that is not linked to your account. It serves as an electronic wallet.

Nice tip. For example neteller and payoneer prepaid cards

Eleganza33:
Thanks

You are welcome. Be vigilant

Gkemz:
Do not go out at night with your ATM card.
Make sure you operate two accounts so that you don't put all your eggs in one basket in case of armed robbery theft.
Do not disclose about your transactions in the public and always be conscious of the person sitting close to you.
Do not follow one route after making huge cash deposit or withdrawal.
If you suspect your card's security is compromised, change your pin immediately.
Never disclose any info to fraudulent numbers that demand ur BVN and account details
Finally report any suspicious activities in account immediately to your bank.

Remain vigilant.

Bros thank you very much for these tips. They are really new and fresh. Very educative

Valto:
this is the most potent way to prevent stories that touches the heart. impossible for any hacker to know the 3digit number when scratched off

It is not impossible to to know the 3 digit code. If the card is skimmed or swiped, that data can be decrypted and the 3 digit code would be visible. No on the card but to the hacker. But it is a good trick to scratch it off for the average guy who would like to use your card when he finds it.

DaBullIT:
Those are good things you said

But i hate to rain on your parade , no security is enough security




Magnetic strips can be read wirelessly and your transaction intercepted during ATM use


One more thing to add , do not click links from email or fb offering cheap deals

and if you have made purchases on google play or FB apps, remove your card info from your account history

Nice one bro. Indeed no security is ever enough. That's why I think there is need for constant sensitization. No information is ever enough too.

obidevine:
Thanks for this info OP.

you are welcome. Lets all shine our eyes

SIRKAY98:
Ok may God keep us

Amen. Just be very vigilant

bigtt76:
Some bank's customer service agents don't even know about Secure ID or Verified by Visa

I can imagine. lol

SIRKAY98:
My brother only God sure pass first at that moment because the will have collect your phone join! it happend to me b4.i could see a phone call my account officer only what saved me was that i had just 2k on my balance!

Some good nairalanders suggested that one should have two accounts. One with ATM, the other one without ATM. When you want to transact, transfer money into the account with ATM, that way, if you lose the card, you wont lose all your life savings.

Another person suggested that you should not enter public transport with your ATM card. I think this is another possibility to minimize the risks

Sharmeenator:
The safest of all; keep at least two accounts and use ATM on only one. Make sure you don't keep all or most of your money in the bank account you have use an ATM for because you can't be too safe these days.

Ok. One account to use with ATM and the other to keep all the money? So that when you want to make a transaction, you can transfer the money to the account with the ATM card. I think it greatly minimizes fraud

bigwig10:
Please in a situation where by the thieves got ur atm n extract the pin frm u @ gun point wah do we do,cos we'v heard many instances of entering a wrong commercial bus n meeting the wrong pple inisde there,they collected pples atm card n pin n go to the machine to make unauthorised withdrawals hw do one quickly block such transactions frm been carried out,thanks

If thieves forcefully take your card and your pin, the only option available is to go into crisis mode. Follow steps 7 down. Please always have your customer service number handy. Also you should have the number of your account manager handy. Call the bank immediately to have your card blocked. Then follow up and lodge a complaint. Make a police report.

Flexherbal:
Thanks OP

You are welcome. Please transact securely and safely

SIRKAY98:
My brother there r some websites that will not ask for even your OTP before your money is been removed for a particular transaction ,for example is canadian visa service online payment platform. If you like bring all your tokens it wount ask it will sucessfully remove your money! So be wise

Really? thats good to know. I know that UKvisa uses secure code