safety first

Avoiding Scams.

  • Please be reminded that the tutors on wearetutors.com are not employees of the website and are Freelancers. Wearetutors.com does not guarantee work done or hold funds in escrow. All transactions are between the users of the site only and any statement to the contrary is a scam.
  • We suggest using paypal only for your transactions on this site. Please read https://www.paypal.com/us/security/protect-your-account to avoid any problems. https://www.paypal.com/us/security/learn-about-scams is really must reading for all that use the internet.  Also, all should be aware on this site or any other place including email, it is always a good idea to avoid using links someone might send you because that could be a fake website designed just to get your login and password. Please see https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
  • Never wire funds (e.g. Western Union) – anyone who asks you to is a scammer.
  • Don’t accept cashier/certified checks or money orders – banks cash fakes, then hold you responsible.
  • Transactions are between users only, no third party provides a “guarantee”.
  • Never give out financial info (bank account, social security, paypal account, etc).
  • Refuse background/credit checks
  • Use email to write out what you are expecting and paying for to avoid any disagreements. Be sure the seller replies to such an email so you have a record.

Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?

United States

Canada

If you are defrauded by someone you met in person, contact your local police department.

If you suspect that a wearetutors.com post may be connected to a scam, please send us the details.

 

Examples of Scams

1. Someone claims your transaction is guaranteed, that a buyer/seller is officially certified, OR that a third party of any kind will handle or provide protection for a payment:

  • These claims are fraudulent, as transactions are between users only.
  • Scammers will often send an official looking (but fake) email that appears to come from wearetutors or another third party, offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, or pretending to handle payments.

2. Scammers will request wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:

  • Scammers may (falsely) claim a confirmation code from you is needed before he can withdraw your money.
  • Common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, UK, Netherlands—but could be anywhere.
  • Scammer may pretend to be unable to speak by phone (scammers prefer to operate by text/email).

3. Distant person offers to send you a cashier’s check or money order and then have you wire money:

  • This is ALWAYS a scam in our experience—the cashier’s check is FAKE.
  • Scammer often asks for your name, address, etc. for printing on the fake check.

4. Distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service:

  • Most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT and operated by scammers.
  • For more info, do a google search on “fake escrow” or “escrow fraud.”

5. Distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which they will ship goods:

  • He says he trusts you with the partial payment.
  • He may say he has already shipped the goods.
  • Deal often sounds too good to be true.

6. Foreign company offers you a job receiving payments from customers, then wiring funds:

  • Foreign company may claim it is unable to receive payments from its customers directly.
  • You are typically offered a percentage of payments received.
  • This kind of “position” may be posted as a job, or offered to you via email.