General Online Safety Information

Please don't let this page worry you, the NFED is certainly not targeted more than any other website or social media platform. This information is provided & to alert users of all websites or social media to common scams.

We take the safety of NFED users very seriously. VPNs, Proxy servers & high risk countries are blocked. IP addresses are validated using ProxyCheck & enquiries sent through our system are monitored for suspicious activity.

The majority of people that you deal with online are genuine, but scams & fraud are a worldwide problem that anyone buying or selling must be aware of. The greater the awareness, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.

Scammers will search online, printed ads & social media for possible victims. They will register accounts on popular websites, have multiple Email addresses, identities & social media profiles to allow them to join groups. Whether contact is made via direct message, e-mail, text, phone or letter it is very important to know how to recognise a scam.

They may seem friendly & have common interests, but when they ask for your details, money or payment in a way that cannot be reversed, stop & question why. Genuine people will completely understand your concerns.

If you are selling, there no reason to ever pay money to anyone. Money to release funds, for insurance, customs, transport cover, over payments to pay a third party or similar are all scams, DO NOT be fooled.

Simply ignore any contact as soon as you realise it is a scam. The scammer will only succeed if you send them money or give them your personal/bank details, most scams become very obvious long before this point.

Take extra care if you post a wanted advert, scammers have the advantage of knowing exactly what you are looking for, so can easily use the photos & details from genuine adverts to try to sell you something they don’t have.

If you are advertising for a horse, make sure the horse is theirs to sell, do some research & ask why it hasn’t been advertised. Always visit the horse at their premises, get it vetted & remember that it is illegal to buy or sale a horse without a valid passport. Although a passport is not proof of ownership, ensure the passport exists & is genuine.

Whether buying, loaning or renting, we strongly advise you to research the advertiser & keep copies of all communications. Having the full terms of the agreement, whether subject to vetting, types of care, facilities offered, or exactly what is expected from both parties in writing can save a lot of problems in the future.

If you are the buyer, DO NOT be tricked into paying by Bank Transfer or Paypal Family & Friends for something that can't be collected. These payments cannot be recovered. See Money Transfer Scam below.

Because of this page, we do receive reports sent through other websites & groups, but we can only deal with suspicious contact made through the NFED. If you have advertised elsewhere, please contact the site administrator.

If you use Facebook or groups for advertising, please review your security settings, it is amazing how much information you can give to criminals through your profile. NFED Ads shared on the NFED social media pages are not connected to the advertiser's profile. Viewers must follow the link to the advert, therefore protecting the advertiser's identity.

What You Can Do to Help

Think carefully about the information that you are putting online. Make sure that you, your friends & family are aware of the common internet scams & know how to spot them. Why not test your knowledge by trying the excellent Virgin Media Cybersecurity Quiz or see: www.actionfraud.police.uk for further advice.

1. Check the Offenders List. If the sender is not listed, forward the enquiry email to editor@nfed.co.uk
2. Google the Email address or phone number. Scammers are often listed on multiple websites.
3. Look out for common phrases: shipment, best price, agent, western union, wire transfer, Ebay Bank...
4. Check the Sender's Network IP using the link on the enquiry.
5. They may ask questions that are already answered in the advert.
6. Stop communicating with them as soon as you recognise a scam.
7. NEVER pay money up front to release funds to enable them to pay you.
8. NEVER give them your personal or bank details.
9. NEVER send overpaid money to a third person. (Over payment scam)
10. NEVER pay by Bank Transfer (BACS) for goods that are going to be posted. Payment cannot be reversed.
11. NEVER pay by Western Union or similar for goods that are going to be posted. Payment cannot be reversed.
12. NEVER pay by PayPal Family & Friends, it does not cover goods purchased.
13. PayPal Goods & Services has protection for posted items (subject to Paypal Terms).
14. If you are a victim of fraud, report it to the police. See www.actionfraud.police.uk

You can identify NFED enquiries by the Email subject line "NFED Classifieds Advert Enquiry".
Providing it is an NFED enquiry, we will check the senders address & either add it to the list to warn others, or let you know if we consider it to be ok. If the sender has already been listed below, there is no need to report it.

If You Receive Suspicious Calls or Texts

1. Record the number & time of the call.
2. If threats or sexual comments are made, report it to the police on the 101 number. See More
3. For nuisance calls or texts, block the number if possible & take a screen shot as evidence.
4. NOTE: Posting the number on social media may provide the sender with a direct link to your profile.

The advertiser name & phone number are hidden by default in the NFED Classifieds. By selecting to show your name and phone number or including an Email address in the advert text, you are overriding any safety features.

Common Scams

Buying & Selling Scams

Just remember the following, use common sense and enjoy using the NFED classifieds:

• NEVER under any circumstances send them any money or accept a cheque for over the asking price. They are not interested in your horse, saddle, car or whatever you are selling, they only want your money & will give hundreds of reasons for you to send it to them.
• For your protection, your Email address is hidden on the NFED Classifieds, unless posted in the body of your advert.
• If you do receive a suspicious reply, please don't bother to reply which will reveal your Email address. If you have already replied, just ignore any further Emails from them.
• If suspicious, check the senders Email address against the offenders list above.
• If the senders name is not on the list, please forward the entire Email to: editor@nfed.co.uk
• If we consider that the reply is genuine, we will tell you, if it is a scam, we will add them to the list & let them know that they have been reported. (Sorry, we do not always have time to acknowledge your Emails)
• If there is any doubt, we are happy to contact the Email sender on your behalf for further information.
• You know your subject and the questions that should be asked, they do not and are easily fooled.
• Their aim is to give you forged cheque for over the asking price & con you into sending the difference, which you will lose. Tell them that you do not have a bank account & will only accept cash on collection.
• Your bank will initially accept the cheque. Although it will probably clear and allow you to draw money against it, it will eventually bounce leaving you out of pocket.
• Wanted ads are also targeted. They normally send a short reply & when asked for more information send a copy of a real advert. If you carry out a Google search for a few lines from the advert, it often brings up the original. Never buy unseen or send money to anyone, if there is any doubt, walk away.

- Money Transfer Scam

NEVER use Bank or Money Transfer payments to purchase goods from private sellers unless the goods are in your possession. Fraudsters advertise goods or answer wanted ads, they gain your trust before taking payment by Bank Transfer, Paypal Family & Friends or by a money transfer company such as Western Union. They have your money, but the goods don’t arrive, the seller can’t be traced & it is not possible to get the payment reversed.

We would advise anyone buying tack, saddles or goods that cannot be collect in person to use Paypal Goods & Services as a method of payment. If the goods do not arrive within the time limit, you can raise a dispute through PayPal, it is then the sellers responsibility to provide Paypal with proof of postage. Don't accept excuses to take it over the time limit, raise a dispute well before or you will not be able to reclaim the payment. Don't be talked into using Paypal Family & Friends which DOES NOT cover goods purchased. This will send the money as a gift, is not covered by Paypal & like Bank Transfers, cannot be reversed.

For sellers, it is worth noting that Paypal should only be used for items that are posted & not large items that are collected by the buyer. Although rare, there are cases where an item has been paid for by Paypal & then collected in person. The buyer then makes a non delivery claim to Paypal. Proof of postage cannot be provided by the seller, so the payment is reversed. This leaves the seller without the money & the goods have gone to a buyer that cannot be traced.

Phone Scams

The caller claims that they are from a company or give a name that you know, explaining that there has been a problem with the payment or asking for payment for any other reason. They ask for your card details to rectify the problem.

THIS IS A SCAM. Never give your payment or personal details to anyone calling you.
Never call back the number given to you by phone.

• We DO NOT call for payment unless requested to by you.
• If there is a problem, you will be contacted by Email not by phone.
• Your name & phone number are hidden by default. If you don't show your number, they can't attempt the scam.
• If your advert can be seen, it has been approved & there isn't a problem
• If you request a call, we will provide your secret advert password as proof of identity.
• The scammers do not have access to your password, never give your password if asked.

All websites & printed media are being targeted. The NFED is certainly no worse hit than others, but we are determined to make life as difficult as we can for the scammers by ensuring all of our customers are aware of the scam & not taken in.

SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS

• Never give your personal or payment details to anyone that phones you
• If you have already given your details, contact your bank immediately to cancel the card
• Never call back the number that the caller gives you - it is part of the scam
• Offer to call back the number given on the company concerned website or paperwork
• If genuine, the company will fully understand your caution

THEY ARE NOT UNTOUCHABLE

The scammers seem to think that they can't be traced but they are wrong, every phone or internet user leaves a trail. Withheld numbers can be traced if the phone service provider knows the time of the call. The service provider will then liaise with the police.
Every website user is recorded in server logs. This gives the IP address which will identify the criminal’s internet service provider. The police then have the power to contact the ISP for their records to obtain the customer’s name & address.

Adoption Scams

That horse or cute puppy in the photo on the legitimate-looking website is almost too good to be real. Often, he isn't.

One scam promises you a free puppy or horse, you only have to pay the shipping cost. Once the scammers get your payment, the scammer says your animal is stuck at the airport or port due to customs complications, and you are asked to send more money for up keep or to get customs release.

Finally, the scammer disappears along with your money. In many cases, victims think their animal is at the airport waiting for them after they've sent several payments. Don't reply to their Emails.

Charities, Rescues & Welfare Scams

In times of recession animals do suffer & there are plenty of people that want to help. Unfortunately the scammers know this & they never miss out on an opportunity to get part you & your money.

A number of scam horse welfare sites are now popping up with the intention of getting your donations or bank details. Please carefully check the credentials of any such site before entering any personal information. They make look very official with lots of photos of malnourished & neglected horses, or links & backing of other well known organisations, but this is meaningless & can easily be faked. Just because they say that they are supported by a well known organisation, it doesn't mean they are!

If they are a registered charity, they will have a registration number which can be checked online out at: www.charitycommission.gov.uk

If you would like to give money to charity or a welfare organisation, choose one which is well known and has a good reputation. If in doubt about an organisation’s legitimacy or credibility take the time to check it out with your local Horsewatch scheme, Police, or other reputable registered charity i.e. RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, The Donkey Sanctuary.