Auto Fraud

Abstract

According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center 2012 Annual Report auto fraud is the most reported type of scheme. Some scams are easier to spot, while others are executed in a way that makes you believe the scammer wholeheartedly. In terms of trends in internet scams, with the proper public education campaigns, these scams can be nearly eliminated.

  Homework #1

Internet scams have been happening for years, and one of the most used schemes is auto fraud. Auto fraud interests me, because my family is into cars and we use Craigslist majority of the time when searching for a new one. Thankfully we have never been victims of auto fraud, but I can’t say the same for everyone else. With the proper campaigning in educating internet users on how to spot, avoid, and report internet scams we could almost eliminate them.

Auto Fraud and It’s Victims

Auto Fraud is the most interesting scheme to me, because my family is very big into cars and we are constantly on sites like Craigslist searching for new ones. We search these sites because it’s much easier to find a decently priced car with aftermarket work already done to it. One of the first things we look for when opening an ad are tell tale signs to determine if the ad is fraudulent. Craigslist places ads throughout their website warning or fraudulence, how to spot it, and most importantly, how to report it. I don’t know anyone personally victimized by auto fraud. However, a twenty-six year old Loretto resident was unfortunate enough to become a victim of auto fraud. She had been dealing with “Andy Loutheizer” via email regarding the purchase of a Nissan Altima after finding an ad for it on Craigslist. Loutheizer assured the Lorretto resident that he would hold the car until she sent $2,200 for the purchase. The Loretto resident sent the money on April 9 to “Eduardo Corral” a supposed Google Check Agent to handle the money for the purchase, but has yet to receive the car she paid for. The matter still remains under investigation. This incident is just one of many that can happen when purchasing merchandise through sites such as Craigslist or EBay.

Trends and Education

     In terms of trends in internet scams in the upcoming years I believe they will increase, but not drastically. As the internet and technology continue to grow and expand, scammers will find new schemes to use against people. However, I think with the proper education internet users can avoid becoming victims of scams. Craigslist makes a good effort to warn their users by placing information on nearly every page in reference to spotting scams and reporting them. If every website were to incorporate their idea into their sites, it would make the scammers jobs easier. If websites such as the Internet Crime Complaint center sent out regular emails educating the public on how to spot, avoid, and report scams those scams could become almost nonexistent.

Conclusion

     There are many different types of internet, computer, and phone scams. Some scams are easier to spot while others are so well thought out and executed you don’t know what happened until it’s over. If internet users are properly educated about these schemes and told how to avoid them, then the trend for such scams will decrease over time.

  References

Humphrey, J. A., & Schmalleger, F. (2011). Deviant behavior. (2nd ed. ed.). Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Internet Crime Complaint Center. (2012) Internet crime report 2012. IC3. June 12, 2013, from http://www.ic3.gov/media/annualreport/2012_IC3Report.pdf
Lawrenceburg Now. (2009) Local a victim of craigslist car scam. Lawrenceburg Now. June 12, 2013, from http://www.lawrenceburgnow.com/041