A Greenwood woman seeking a pair of Pomeranian puppies earlier this month learned the hard way about purchasing things on Facebook sight unseen.
The woman, according to a Greenwood Police Department incident report, wired $530 to two people in Columbus, Ohio, via Western Union.
The first payment, for $260, was sent March 6 to a person named Jamara Marlin. The second payment, which was $270, was sent March 7 to a Sabastian Jordan. Both money transfers were picked up, according to Western Union.
Officers at the department suggested the woman seek legal advice for a possible civil suit against the scammers.
Greenwood Police Chief Ray Moore said there’s little recourse for the woman at this point.
“This is one of those ‘buyer beware’ incidents. We’ve had a lot of trouble in the past with Craigslist,” he said.
“Any deal that is too good to be true, it is,” the chief said.
Although the Pomeranian deal was a case in which a buyer contacted a supposed seller, many residents have faced scams that play on fear.
Some involve people claiming to represent the Internal Revenue Service, demanding payment for delinquent taxes via money order or money card. The chief said the IRS does not call delinquent taxpayers.
Others involve purported calls from Greenwood Utilities demanding payment for light bills. Again, Moore said, the utility does not make collection calls over the phone.
Often scammers are based off-shore and cannot be touched by U.S. law, Moore said.
Payments that request money cards are the big scam currently.
When a person loads a money card with funds and the scammer gets the card’s PIN number, “five minutes later, that money is gone,” Moore said.
For those who insist on purchasing things on Facebook, the chief advises caution.
“Double check. Find out who this person is. Get references,” he said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
