Popular summer scams to watch out for


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SALT LAKE CITY — Summer is in full swing and a new wave of scams is heating up. The FBI weighs in on some of the most popular scams of the summer and gives tips on how they can be avoided.

Scam #1: Someone offers to buy an item you have for sale for much more than you're asking.

One KSL viewer had listed a dress in the classifieds for $300. She emailed KSL Investigators after a buyer offered more than $1800.

"Offering four times what you're asking for? That's definitely a red flag," said Jeff Coburn with the FBI Cybercrimes Unit.

Coburn said chances are the check is a fraud and once she shipped the dress, she'd never see it again.

Scam #2: A house is for rent, but the person listing it doesn't even own it.

One KSL viewer got suspicious when she was told to wire a deposit to rent a home because the owner was out of state.

Coburn said pictures of the house were likely stolen off the Internet and the person who listed it is trying to steal a renter's money.

"Go and knock on the door," said Coburn. "Ask who the ower of the house is. Just make sure you're not sending a check, especially a check overseas, or wiring to a bank account. Those are red flags."

Scam #3: A deal in the classifieds seems too good to be true, and it's being shipped from out of state.

One KSL viewer contacted the KSL Investigators after he saw an ATV for sale listed at 40 percent below retail value. Problem was, it would be shipped from Chicago after payment was received.

"Definitely do not send money until you see the item, you can put your hands on the item," said Coburn. "Those are things I would say will save you from being defrauded."

Bottom line, you may be a target of online fraud in the future, but it doesn't mean you have to be a victim.

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Debbie Dujanovic

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