Scam “Pays” You to Drive Your Own Car (And Other Cons to Watch For)

Federal Bureau of Investigation
April 20, 2012 at 6:35 PM

Although some businesses legitimately pay to advertise their companies’ logos on people’s personal vehicles, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received several notifications regarding a similar—but completely bogus—offer.

After responding to online postings that advertised an easy way to earn $400-$600 a week by transforming their cars into billboards, victims were sent checks or money orders for more than the promised amount and directed to cash them at banks and wire the difference to the “graphic designer” providing the vinyl decal or auto wrap for the vehicle. The problem? The checks and money orders were counterfeit, which left the victims responsible for the banks’ losses.

Other items featured in this month’s report from the IC3 include an investment scam, the release of the latest Blackhole exploit kit, a malware-containing spam e-mail regarding CPA license termination, and online property rental scams and scenarios.