And oldie but a goody.  This scam has been circulating for at least a decade.  I first encountered it in the early 2000’s.   Unfortunately direct sellers and other merchants are still falling for it to the tune of thousands!  For direct sellers is works like this:

1. You receive an email from someone who found you via your replicated website and sometimes social media.
2. They want to place a sizeable order but don’t have a credit card (red flag 1)
3. They want to send you a cashiers check or money order (red flag 2)
4. They want to send it for MORE than the amount and want you to Western Union the remainder to a third party (flags all over this play).

Warning  … Warning … Warning

The scam works in their favor in a few ways.
Option A – you cash the check and give them access to you bank account information
Option B – you send them the remainder via Western Union (which is unrecoverable) and the check is counterfeit
Option C- All of the above

As your grandfather probably told you, if it sounds too good to be true … it probably is. Always trust your instincts and don’t get blinded by that BIG, enticing order.  Sharing is caring!  Help spread the word to other direct sellers by sharing this post!

~Michelle

If you have been scammed, report it to your state Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.