Avoiding Online Scams and Fraud
Criminals are increasingly using e-mail as a tool for fraud. Please be aware that there are scam artists who enjoy trying to take advantage of free services such as our classifieds. If something sounds suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is.
Rules to follow:
• Deal locally with people you can meet in person or by local phone call whenever possible. While not foolproof, the best way to avoid scam artists is to deal only with buyers and sellers here in Georgia
• Never give out financial information (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
• Never wire funds (via Western Union, MoneyGram, or other wire services)
• Watch out for fraudulent cashier’s checks and/or money orders
• Beware when payment is required upfront or when you are asked to return money to the buyer
• Avoid deals involving shipping or escrow services
• Be cautious of e-mails with spelling errors, grammar problems, or inconsistent information
• Scammers will often “guarantee” a transaction – this is a hallmark of a fraudulent deal
ksusentinel.com is not involved in any transaction. We are not involved with shipping, payment, or any other part of your transaction with a buyer or seller.
Scam alerts and resources
Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection
Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?
State of Georgia—Office of Attorney General
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-7924
inspector.general@oig.ga.gov
http://georgia.gov/agencies/office-state-inspector-general
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center
• FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• FTC online complaint form
Feel free to contact us if you want to report information about a fraudulent listing on ksusentinel.com classifieds. Click here to contact us.
Sentinel General Standards for Advertising
To protect the interest of its readers and advertisers, The Sentinel has established these basic principles or general standards for advertising. These standards also serve to maintain reader confidence in the medium and in the advertising which it carries: advertising is not acceptable which tends, in the opinion of this newspaper, to destroy the confidence of readers or advertisers. This includes advertising that is misleading, inaccurate, fraudulent, deceptive, or ambiguous.
The Sentinel reserves the right to reject advertising that makes misleading claims or uses art or words that impugn or degrade sex, sexual orientation, race, national origin, creed, color, disability, or age.
The Sentinel reserves the right to reject advertising that promotes illegal activity or activity detrimental or damaging to the University and its educational mission. It further reserves the right to reject any advertisement which it deems objectionable due to the subject matter, illustration, phraseology, or set-up.
The Sentinel supports the Better Business Bureau’s Code of Advertising. All advertisers are subject to review by the Better Business Bureau. Advertisers in The Sentinel agree that they will not represent themselves in any way as being endorsed by the Kennesaw State University or The Sentinel.
Advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Kennesaw State University, its Board of Regents, and its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all loss, cost, and expense, including reasonable attorney fees resulting from the publication by The Sentinel of advertiser’s advertisement.
Sentinel Classified Policies
Abortion and Birth Control- Advertising of birth control products, contraceptives, abortion clinics, and related services is acceptable. The Sentinel reserves the right to accept or reject advertising of legal products and services.
Adoption- Advertisements by private individuals for adoption are not accepted.
Alcohol- Advertising of beer and wine is acceptable but must conform to Georgia law and Kennesaw State University Alcohol Policy and Guidelines. Advertising of alcohol should avoid demeaning sexual or discriminatory portrayals and not encourage high-risk consumption nor place emphasis on quantity nor frequency of use. Alcohol should not be the only or central theme of an advertisement. Use of brand names and prices are discouraged. All advertisements of alcohol must contain a reference to enforcement of the Georgia state drinking age.
Classification- The Sentinel reserves the right to withhold publication of any advertisement that does not conform to its policies and assumes no responsibility for ads accidentally omitted. The Sentinel reserves the right to determine the proper classification for all advertisements.
Credit or Financing- The Truth In Lending Act and Regulation Z affects advertising offering credit, installment payments, and financing. Standards concerning acceptability are:
• Credit and credit card advertisements must clearly and conspicuously disclose all credit terms in the advertisement (annual percentage rate, finance charges, etc.,.), as required by the above laws.
• The advertisement must state whether the company processes card applications or is a credit card issuer and if an advance fee is required.
• “Secured” or “Collateral” credit card account advertisements are not acceptable.
• Third party financial aid packages advertisements are not acceptable.
Dating Services- Advertising from institutions or organizations known as computer matchmaking or companionship services, computer dating, friendship groups, or marriage clinics is unacceptable.
Discrimination- The Sentinel will not accept ads that are discriminatory in nature against any sex, race, color, creed, or religious background. We will not state or imply “man preferred” or “Woman preferred” in an employment ad as this is in violation of Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act, amended in 1972.
Employment Advertising- All Help Wanted ads should state the method of pay (i.e., commission, guarantee, draw, bonus, fee, or other method). Further standards concerning acceptability are:
• Help Wanted advertisements requiring an investment may not run in the classified “Help Wanted ” columns. Job Offers which require a payment or fee in advance (sales kit, etc.,.) must state so in the advertisement’s copy.
• All sales ads must indicate that the work is sales. Compensation must be stated (salary, commission,etc.,.).
• Advertising offers that require the reader to call or apply at a hotel or motel are acceptable only after permission is obtained in writing from the hotel/motel manager to print the name, address or phone number in the ad.
• Advertising offering employment outside the continental limits of the United States must state the sponsor and terms within the advertisement.
• All advertisers must employ without regard to race, sex, age, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin in accordance with the law.
Foreign Language- Advertisements with a copy in languages other than English must carry the English translation within the advertisement. The English translation must be verified with the Advertising Office prior to placement.
“Home Work” Offers- Advertisements offering employment opportunities in and from home are subject to review.
Mailing- Under no circumstances may money be sent to a Post Office Box number. It must be sent to a verifiable street address. The Sentinel investigates complaints from their readers. Whenever such complaints appear to be justified, The Sentinel reserves the right to refuse all subsequent advertising from the advertiser.
Modeling- Advertisements offering modeling work and/or requesting photographs are not acceptable.
900 Toll Numbers are not acceptable.
Rentals To Share Advertisements should state the sex of the advertiser in the ad. Advertisers may identify themselves as to race, religion, color, or national origin, but may not qualify their customers in such a way.
Term Papers Advertisements- Services offering term papers, research papers, or research services are unacceptable.
The Sentinel reserves the right to reject any advertisement which it deems objectionable due to the subject matter, illustration, phraseology or set-up. Policies may change due to programmatic or editorial decisions.
>> For more information visit ksusm.com and ksuads.com.
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