# Internet scam... Who do I contact? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2013, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-scam-who-do-i-contact/659760 "2013-05-31T01:15:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-scam-who-do-i-contact/659760/21 "2013-06-01T07:08:09Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > So the scam relies upon the buyer not understanding how Google Wallet works, and who assumes that the account set up by the seller is an escrow-type account with an authorization step that can be controlled by the buyer, but in reality, there is no such step? So when the buyer doesn’t get the car and checks to see where his money is, thinking it is being held like PayPal does, it’s already gone and the irreversible transaction completed? > > I’m just trying to clarify stuff. Never having used Google Wallet, it’s not obvious to me. Yes. Yes. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-scam-who-do-i-contact/659760/22 "2013-06-01T19:16:14Z")
Well, I’ve stopped receiving messages from my would be “free car for me to drive for a month” scammer. I guess the information I gave to set up my account on google wallet didn’t pass the smell test when someone actually read the name and address, not to mention the phone number. These things must be running on autopilot until the persons personal information arrives, and then they have someone read the name and address to set up the google wallet account. I can’t believe J.E. Hoover didn’t slip through… I didn’t give the address as the FBI building, but rather the actual street address in Washington DC. Even gave them the correct phone number. Oh well. Maybe I should have given them a living persons name. I have not yet turned this into the authorities yet, as I’m still mulling over the cost benefit. There is the time involved, of course, but there is also the problem of not knowing if my personal info would remain personal. That kind of bothers me, as I feel like my information should not be given to the people I’m accusing of doing this. I don’t know who they are or what they represent, and it gives me pause to just hand over my personal info. I believe the site stated that each state has their own laws on privacy, so I’ll have to chase down my states current laws. I don’t really understand why they would need my real name and address when I’m only trying to do a “good deed”. I look at it as the same as turning in someone’s lost coat at a lost and found. Or, if I need to equate this to a crime, perhaps calling a phone number to report erratic driving. I don’t want any reward money… I’m just looking to help stop a public menace. The authorities will have all the information I have. I wasn’t specifically targeted, as the ad was on a couple of web sites I visit, and I responded, so I was contacted only after I made an inquiry about the car. So IMO, my name, address and contact info is irrelevant after I transfer everything to them. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-scam-who-do-i-contact/659760/23 "2013-06-02T07:39:03Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Thanks for the clarification. I read some of the Scambaiters website, and it is exactly how you describe. Except I didn’t get as far as where they work with law enforcement to nab these guys. It looked more like a site to waste the scammers time. Not a bad thing to do, but I was looking for something to do something more “official”. If this site does that, great. And what those other posts were trying to tell you is that it isn’t official. Law enforcement may get called at a certain point if that’s at all possible, but they don’t really work with them. In other words, it’s nonsense in the sense that it’s not what you are looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-scam-who-do-i-contact/659760/25 "2013-06-26T19:20:09Z")
reported new post as scammy ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-scam-who-do-i-contact/659760/26 "2013-06-26T19:21:05Z")
> [@pjaymac](#): > > The spiritualist is a man of pure sympathy for the poor and oppressed. He would be more than willing to help your cause. I am Posting this to the Forum in case there is anyone who has similar problem and still looking for a way out..you can reach him here: [vspelltemple@gmail.com](mailto:vspelltemple@gmail.com) The ‘v’ stands for [voodoo](http://orinokospelltemple.webs.com/) doesn’t it? reported [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-scam-who-do-i-contact/659760.md?page=1)