Overpayment for an item or services is the most prevalent scam currently in use. Users should not trust any deal where an overpayment is made by cashier’s check. Typically the scam involves a buyer offering to pay by cashier’s check for well over the amount required and then requesting that the difference be returned. In the end, the cashier's check is fraudulent, and in addition to the seller losing the money sent to the buyer, the financial institution will hold the seller accountable for the fraudulent check.

Other examples of common scams:

• A seller requests use of an online escrow service and sometimes requests the use of a third party escrow that is part of the scam (generally, most requests for online escrow services are scams).

• A seller requests a partial payment before shipping goods, assuring they trust you to send the remaining payment later. The item is a deal too good to be true. The item is never shipped, and the seller denies receiving payment (be wary of any deal that sounds too good to be true).

• A seller requests that you wire the money. Once you wire the money, they claim you have given them the wrong confirmation code so they cannot withdraw the money or ship the item. This is untrue. They have your money. In the Jobs section, users should be wary of employers requesting any payment prior to being hired. We recommend that you never pay for employment.

Another common scam found in Jobs:

• A potential employer requests personal financial information to do a credit check and/or charges you to run a background check. We recommend that you never release your credit card information or checking account numbers for employment.

Another common scam found rentals:

• A criminal posing as landlord or property manager collects a security deposits on property they are not authorized to rent. Be sure you are dealing with the actual property owner and do not exchange cash without working keys to the actual property. Better yet, do not exchange cash.