CNNMoney.com recently posted a series of in-depth articles discussing global Internet fraud. One article in the series highlighted the prominence of spoofing scams, where fraudsters use phony websites and emails to impersonate legitimate companies and trick people into wiring them funds. Internet scams can effectively lure victims in by offering low-price deals for items or by pretending to be associated with a charitable cause. The article estimates that these and other types of Internet fraud have scammed people out of hundreds of millions to billions of dollars globally each year. You can read the full article here:

http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/26/technology/internet_scam_artists/index.htm?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

The Internet is a great place to find deals, but unfortunately some deals are too good to be true, and this is a common theme with any number of online scams that target uninformed consumers. One trend that we have noticed is that fraudsters often try to impersonate well-known companies within the transportation industry. Not only has uShip been fraudulently impersonated in various scams, but many other companies that you might recognize within the transportation and logistics industry have also had to deal with this problem. UPS, FedEx, DHL, DAS Auto Shippers, and TNT Express are all companies, along with uShip, that have been fraudulently impersonated in various scams targeting consumers on online classified sites. Just like us, they have compiled and posted information about these scams on their sites in an effort to educate consumers on how to avoid scams and make safe online purchases:

http://fedex.com/us/security/prevent-fraud/index.html

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/fraud.html

http://www.dhl-usa.com/CustServ/VirusFraudAlert.asp

http://www.tnt.com/express/en_us/site/home/support/internet_fraud.html

http://www.dasautoshippers.com/fraud-information-center.html

uShip was recently contacted from an individual in the UK who encountered a pet scam on an online classified site.  The individual was looking online to purchase a new family pet when they encountered a fraudulent ad that was definitely too good to be true.  After this UK consumer inquired about the dog, the fraudster tried to impersonate uShip, making false claims and requesting to be wired £1030 through Western Union.  Their emails came from the address ushipshippers.shippersnumber1@yahoo.com.

This scenario highlights a few easy ways to immediately spot a scam when making purchases online.  You should never engage in any transactions involving Western Union or other instant transfer services.  These payment methods are highly associated with fraudulent activity and offer you no protection in the event of a scam.   uShip would never request a payment from anyone in this  manner.  Additionally, any email from uShip would come from an address with the @uShip.com domain.  The email address that this fraudster is using is clearly not from the real uShip.  Here is a screen shot of part of the fraudulent email:

uShip has been made aware of scams whereby people buying items online are approached by a scam company who deliberately and fraudulently misrepresented themselves as uShip in order to con money from innocent people.

uShip is a legitimate multi-million dollar company.  Founded in 2004, with its Head Office in Texas, USA, and its European Head Office in Amsterdam.  uShip operates a transport marketplace where shipping  companies and couriers bid competitively for customers shipping jobs.

uShip has absolutely nothing to do with any sales of dogs, puppies, boats, horses, cars or any other products.  Furthermore, uShip will never contact any customer asking them to make a payment.

If you are ever approached by a company requesting money portraying themselves as uShip DO NOT PAY THEM.  uShip will never phone or request money via the phone, and would never request that you transfer money into any bank account, or via money order.

uShip cares greatly about the safety of its members, both online and offline, and as part of the website has a comprehensive guide of steps and measures that customers and transporters should take to ensure that they remain safe, including links to authority third party websites where members can check on transporters liceneses.   [link to safe shipping guide]  As a result uShip achieves more than 98% positive feedback from customers using the platform, which is substantially higher than the industry average for the transport sector.

uShip’s contact details are easily available on the website, and unlike many other internet companies uShip is fully contactable by phone.   If anyone is ever concerned about any transaction either on www.uship.com or from a company portraying themselves as uShip, then they should contact uShip  direct on USA [US number], UK; 020 3286 3956 or DE; 030-288 699 74  (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm) or by email help@uship.com

If you’re in the market for a pet, you’ll likely look at certain online classified sites such as craigslist.org or oodle.com.  If you think you find the pet you’re looking for on one of these sites, be wary of potential scams.  uShip has recently been made aware of scams involving pet sales where the “seller” of a pet makes false claims about uShip.  They tell interested buyers that uShip is handling the transport.  They’ll even send an email that includes our name and logo, as well as contact information for a “uShip representative”.

They go on to request a wire transfer or Money Gram deposit.The claims that they make about uShip are completely false and fraudulent, and in reality, the pet does not exist;  they are simply trying to scam people into sending them a payment.  Because they make claims about uShip being involved and utilize our logo, many people don’t realize it’s a scam until it’s too late.  Be on the lookout for scams like this, and never send anyone a wire transfer or Money Gram payment.

Be aware that any email coming from the real uShip will have an @uship.com domain.  Here is an example of what one of these fake uShip emails looks like:

Click for larger image

When making purchases through online classified sites, it’s important to be on the lookout for potential fraud.  Remember that you don’t really know who the seller is or if the ad that they’ve posted is legitimate.  You need to check the facts and look for warning signs so you can better protect yourself before making any online transaction.

uShip.com has recently been made aware of certain scams occurring on online classified sites. With these scams, the “seller” of an item makes false and fraudulent claims about uShip and impersonates a uShip representative.  When an unsuspecting consumer contacts the ad, the fraudulent seller makes false statements about uShip and requests a wire transfer or Money Gram payment.  The truth is that uShip is never involved in the sale of items through online classified sites.  We are an online marketplace for shipping, and we don’t ever transport items or have items in our possession.

Be aware of these types of scams, and check the facts.  Never send anyone funds via wire transfer or Money Gram.  This form of payment is not safe and offers you no protection or recourse in the event of fraud.

Once a company has your goods on their truck, you’re ready to go, right? Not if you’re working with an disreputable shipper or mover. They’re not all that common, but they are out there. Some shipping companies will charge you an extra “overweight” fee or other extra charges before they will unload your goods. Be wary of movers and shippers who will give you an estimate based on an Internet questionnaire only, rather than sending a representative to look at your move firsthand. Be sure you read and understand your contract before you sign, and do not pay the movers until all the contractual obligations you have outlined have been met. Some online retailers will not quote you a price for shipping the goods you buy, but instead will charge your credit card separately after they pack your order, “so they can get the correct amount.” This often results in a hefty charge, as much as double the actual price of the shipment. Ask for a definite shipping price before you commit to buy.To review uShip’s fraud prevention guidelines, please click on the Community page.