Fraud Awareness Tips

Because there is no foolproof way to prevent fraud, awareness is the best defense. Please review our tips below, and use your best judgment in all transactions.
Help us stop fraud. If you receive a suspicious email or are the victim of a scam, email us and law enforcement right away.

Step 1: If you are the victim of a scam, please email us with as much information about your particular situation as possible.
Step 2:  File a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center to inform federal and state law enforcement agencies. We strongly recommend that you report fraud to local law enforcement as well.

FoodEquipmentTrader.com investigates submitted reports in an effort to protect our customers against future fraud. We support law enforcement agencies in the prosecution of Internet criminals and work diligently to prevent fraud.

Please be aware that FoodEquipmentTrader does not

FoodEquipmentTrader is an online equipment listing service that connects buyers with sellers. We are not equipment dealers. Any listing information about particular equipment comes directly from the seller-not us.

If you receive an email that implies we're selling or buying equipment, please report it to us and to law enforcement. It's most certainly a scam.

We don't offer warehousing or shipping services.

We don't ask you for personal or financial information via email.

Online fraud often begins with a spoof email requesting financial information. These spoof, or scam, emails often impersonate a reputable company such as FoodEquipmentTrader.com by illegally displaying a company's name, logo or trademark.

The intent is to deceive customers into revealing information such as:

• Username
• Password
• Social security number
• Bank account number
• Bank routing number
• Credit card number

• The only time we'll ever request your credit card information is when you're in the process of purchasing an ad on our website. We will not take down your listing because you don't provide account information. If you receive an email that asks for the kinds of information listed above, don't respond. Instead, report the email to us and to law enforcement.

  Common-Sense Advice for Buyers

  Buying equipment you find online is a lot like buying goods through a classified ad in the newspaper. In either case, use your best judgment.

  Confirm contact information

  Before you send payment, verify the seller's street address and phone number- an email address is not enough. ZIP codes, area codes and addresses should match up. Be wary if the seller is located overseas.

  Use email wisely

  Avoid sending sensitive personal or financial information (such as your social security number, credit card number or checking account number) to a seller via email. Remember that email communications are not secure and can be easily forwarded to others.

  Get a detailed receipt

  Common-Sense Advice for Sellers

  Selling equipment you find online is a lot like selling goods through a classified ad in the newspaper. In either case, use your best judgment.

  Confirm contact information

  Secure payment first

  Verify that a certified check is genuine

  Before you deposit a certified check, verify authenticity with the issuing bank-not just your bank. Make sure the account contains sufficient funds and the issuing bank guarantees payment on the check. It may take a week or more for the check to clear. It hasn't cleared just because your bank has accepted it and credited your account.

  Beware of overpayment or other complicated payment schemes

  Don't agree to any plan where the buyer asks to send a check for more than the sale price and requests that the seller refund the difference. And be suspicious of any buyer who proposes making payment through a friend or agent of the buyer.

  Internet Fraud Resources

  Visit the sites below to learn more about Internet fraud.

  Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC)

  Internet Fraud Preventive Measures

  Better Business Bureau (BBB)

  Be a Smarter Consumer

  Tips to Avoid Online Escrow Fraud

  Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

  Practical Tips to Help You Be on Guard Against Internet Fraud

  Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

  Fake Seals and Phony Numbers: How Fraudsters Try to Look Legit

  California Department of Corporations

  Top 10 Tips to Avoid Online Escrow Fraud