Online scams have become increasingly prevalent, targeting unsuspecting individuals desperate to acquire sought-after products or services.

Jennifer* recently shared her harrowing experience of being scammed while attempting to buy tickets for a Cork concert on Facebook. Her story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone engaging in online transactions, highlighting the importance of vigilance and using secure platforms like Shieldescrow to protect oneself from fraudulent activities.

*Although this story is based on real events, the name Jennifer is a pseudonym, used to hide the identity of the individual scammed.

How Jennifer Became a Target of a Facebook Con Artist

With Paolo Nutini set to take to the stage in just a few hours, Jennifer decided she would attempt to accompany her friends. Turning to Facebook, she was presented with a glimmer of hope as she stumbled upon numerous available ticket listings. 

After replying to a listed ticket post, Jennifer was overjoyed with the magnitude of responses she began to receive. The allure of a bargain led her to choose the lowest priced ticket, despite the red flags that were starting to emerge.

Excitement soon turned to skepticism upon a quick inspection of the sellers Facebook page. The seller’s Facebook profile lacked common traits of a genuine account: an uncommon name in Ireland, pictures of individuals who appeared to be American, an absence of Facebook Friends, and random hobbies listed in the bio. Despite these warning signs, her desire for the tickets overrode her better judgment.

Excitement to Disappointment

Communication with the seller only deepened Jennifer’s doubts. The replies she received were abrupt and lacked personalisation. 

Complications continued to arise when the seller requested a further €10 for a supposed Ticketmaster name change. Nevertheless, caught up in the moment, she complied. The transaction began to raise concerns as Revolut blocked the second €10 transaction. The seller provided a series of different Revolut account details for receiving payments, each accompanied by a different name. Although these irregularities raised more suspicions, Jennifer convinced herself that the accounts belonged to the seller’s friends. In an act of desperation, she sent the money to the third account name provided. Now that the seller had received payment for the ticket and taken an additional fee, Jennifer had been blocked from further communication.

With the sudden realization of her predicament, Jennifer had no choice but to accept the bitter truth. She had fallen victim to a scam that preyed on her eagerness to secure a concert ticket. Despite the loss of €50, she maintains a positive outlook, considering it a relatively inexpensive life lesson. 

How to Protect Yourself Against Scams

Following her ordeal, Jennifer recalled hearing about Shieldescrow, a secure platform for online transactions, but had forgotten about it until recently. Her scam experience has reinforced the importance of using trustworthy platforms like Shieldescrow when engaging in online ticket purchases. Recognising the need for an additional layer of protection, she expressed her intention to utilise such platforms in the future, highlighting the value of placing trust in a secure intermediary rather than blindly relying on personal judgment.

Jennifer’s account of being scammed while attempting to purchase concert tickets serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers lurking in the online world. As technology continues to shape our lives, it is crucial to remain vigilant and exercise caution when engaging in online transactions. Through her story, she hopes to raise awareness and encourage others to embrace secure platforms like Shieldescrow, thus minimising the risk of falling victim to a scam. 

The post Caught in the Crosshairs of a Facebook Scammer appeared first on Shieldescrow Blog.

As an employee of an early-stage start-up, I find myself searching for ways to improve my skills and gain more knowledge about the world of business. A perfect way to do this is through TED talks – in a world where time is ever becoming your most valuable resource, I love TED Talks for short and powerful snippets of knowledge provided by experts in various fields. In this blog, I will share with you my five must-watch TED Talks for aspiring entrepreneurs.

What are TED Talks?

Before we jump into my selection of TED Talks, for those that don’t know what the concept of a TED Talk is – a TED Talk is a showcase for speakers presenting great, well-formed ideas in under 18 minutes. This short talk model works since it only demands the audience’s attention for a short period of time, decreasing the chance of minds wandering or daydreaming about lunch. In fact, some of the greatest TED Talks have been as short as 5 minutes long!

5 TED Talks that every aspiring entrepreneur should watch

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, here are five TED Talks that you absolutely must watch. Each of these talks provides valuable insights into the world of business and entrepreneurship. They will help you gain a better understanding of what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.

TED Talk #1: “The single biggest reason why startups succeed” by Bill Gross

In this TED Talk, Bill Gross, founder of Idealab, shares his insights on what makes startups succeed. He has analyzed hundreds of startups and found that the single biggest reason for success is timing. Gross explains that the timing of a startup can have a massive impact on its success. He gives examples of companies that succeeded because they were in the right place at the right time, and companies that failed because they were too early or too late to the market.

TED Talk #2: “The power of an entrepreneurial mindset” by Bill Roche

Bill Roche is a serial entrepreneur who has started several successful companies. In this TED Talk, he shares his insights on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Roche explains that having an entrepreneurial mindset is crucial for success. He gives examples of how he has used his entrepreneurial mindset to overcome challenges and achieve success.

TED Talk #3: “What they don’t tell you about entrepreneurship” by Mark Leruste

Mark Leruste is an entrepreneur and the founder of The Unconventionalists. In this TED Talk, he shares the things that people don’t tell you about entrepreneurship. He explains that entrepreneurship is not all about success and glamour, but it is also about failure and hard work.

TED Talk #4: “It doesn’t take money to make money” by Brandon Leibel

Brandon Leibel is an entrepreneur who has started several successful companies without any outside funding. In this TED Talk, he shares his insights on how to start a successful business without any money. Leibel explains that it is possible to start a business with little to no money, and he gives examples of how he has done it.

TED Talk #5: “How to Know If You’re Meant to Be An Entrepreneur” by Kiki Ayers

Kiki Ayers is an entrepreneur and the founder of Ayers Career College. In this TED Talk, she shares her insights on how to know if you are meant to be an entrepreneur. Ayers explains that being an entrepreneur is not for everyone, and she gives examples of the traits that successful entrepreneurs possess.

The Impact of TED Talks on Entrepreneurship

As an aspiring entrepreneur, I hope watching these five TED Talks will provide you with valuable insights into the world of business and entrepreneurship. If you haven’t already, take some time to watch these TED Talks and start your journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur today!

The post 5 Must-Watch TED Talks for Aspiring Entrepreneurs appeared first on Shieldescrow Blog.

Cost Savings

Purchasing second-hand offers significant and widely recognised advantages, with cost savings being one of the most prominent benefits.

Second-hand goods are often available up to 50% cheaper. Whether you are in search of clothing, electronics, furniture, musical instruments, or books, you will discover quality items at more affordable prices compared to their brand-new counterparts.

Additionally, you have the opportunity to acquire name-brand products at a fraction of their original cost.

Reducing Waste

The most obvious environmental benefit of second-hand shopping is that it creates less waste. Many individuals tend to associate waste reduction and recycling solely with bottles, cans, and plastics, overlooking the significant impact our wardrobes and household items have on landfill waste.

When you opt for used items, you eliminate the need for excessive packaging, bulky cardboard boxes, and unnecessary plastic wrapping that are often discarded after the products arrive.

Purchasing second-hand allows you to enjoy your newly acquired items without excessive packaging.

Even when opting for second-hand items that require shipping, it is worth noting that they are typically packaged with minimal materials.

Reducing Pollution

The production of new items carries significant environmental consequences, resulting in pollution across various manufacturing stages.

Global transportation of goods contributes to substantial CO2 emissions, and items ending up in landfills lead to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental contamination.

The production of new products involves more than just labour and materials; it depletes natural resources through activities like oil excavation, metal mining, deforestation, cotton farming, and water usage.

Opting for used items reduces resource consumption, energy usage, and pollution by avoiding pesticides, transportation fuel emissions, toxic chemicals, and carbon emissions.

By purchasing second-hand goods, you utilise the energy and resources already invested in their creation, eliminating the demand for new items that require additional energy and further depletion of natural resources.

The impact of buying second-hand extends far beyond personal savings. By choosing to purchase pre-owned goods, individuals contribute to a more sustainable future. While it is acceptable to purchase certain items new, it is beneficial to cultivate a collective awareness and consider acquiring products second-hand. By embracing this approach, together we can transition towards a more circular economy, where goods and materials are actively reused instead of needlessly discarded.

The post Second-Hand Shopping: A Sustainable Consumer Choice appeared first on Shieldescrow Blog.

Rental scams have been occurring for some time now and transpire throughout the year.

However, with the academic year set to commence, students returning to third level education are now desperately seeking accommodation.

Scammers often advertise rentals that do not exist or are not available to trick people into sending money.

While you may be hunting for an affordable, comfortable, well located rental, it might also be essential to ask the question; could this be a scam?

Scammers taking advantage of desperate students

Evidence indicates that targets are usually students under the age of 25. Their state of urgency to secure accommodation makes them particularly vulnerable to rental scammers.

The probability of being scammed is even higher if the student is a foreign national.

These students are more than likely to arrange everything online prior to their arrival. If they are already located within the country of their studies, these students are usually based in temporary accommodation paying high rates.

Desperate to secure a long term solution, they end up playing directly into the hands of the fraudsters.

How to Recognize a Rental Scam.

Landlord is out of the Country

Most commonly scammers will create their own listing using the imagery and property details of another genuine rental. They may alter minor details such as the price and change the contact information to their own.

When contacted about the property they will claim to be out of the country, either on business, holiday, or due to the fact they live abroad.

Therefore they are unable to show you the rental in person and will request you pay a deposit and/or first month’s rent to secure the listing.

Once paid, all contact will cease and the scammer will disappear with your money.

Scammer Rents Accommodation

Another common scenario occurs when the scammer rents a home or apartment for a short period of time. During their stay, they take multiple photos and advertise it for rent, claiming to be the property’s landlord.

They show multiple potential tenants around the property and request an immediate payment. They may even provide a set of fake keys to make the transaction appear authentic.

However, when you arrive to move into your new home, the keys do not work and the scammer has disappeared.

Application & Identity Fraud

A scammer may request you submit an application to showcase your interest in their listed rental.

They may request you to submit a copy of your photo ID and proof of address. In addition to scamming you out of your money, they can then use this information to carry out identity fraud.

This tactic can be used in conjunction with the previous two scams or on its own.

How to Avoid a Rental Scam

It can be very easy to fall victim to a rental scam especially in a time of desperation when available, affordable housing is scarce. It is therefore important to remain vigilant and follow the below recommended guidelines.

If the price of the rental seems too good to be true and lower than the surrounding listings, it’s probably a scam.

If the listing contains grammar and/or spelling mistakes, is advertised on social media or if all the communication is had via social media or WhatsApp, it is probably a scam.

You should always arrange to meet a prospective landlord in the accommodation to be rented. A good landlord will make sure to meet you prior to the rental in person or digitally. If a genuine landlord does live out of the country, they would arrange for another individual or letting agent to meet with you.

Finally, never transfer money to a landlord using methods which cannot be reversed, such as cash, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. It is recommended to pay a rental deposit using Shieldescrow.

Shieldescrow is the only platform specifically designed to protect your funds when transacting with strangers. Considering Shieldescrow securely holds your deposit until you have received the keys, you can ensure you will not be scammed.

Through Shieldescrow, renters can ensure a more secure, protected, risk-free transaction process.

Shieldescrow is an instant transactional solution for any payment, eliminating the prospect of fraud and scams.

The post Student Rental Scams on the Rise appeared first on Shieldescrow Blog.

Facebook Groups can be a scammers paradise, with many exploiting the desperation of others by posing as genuine customers and merchants.

In this article, we describe the story of a recent Facebook Group scamming, which occurred in the months preceding Ireland’s largest music and arts festival, Electric Picnic.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. It is a daily occurrence.

Social media users are not always what they seem. It can be very easy to fall victim to a scammer, as they are often highly convincing and well organized. Read about what can happen when you do not have a safe and secure transaction platform looking out for you.

*Although this story is based on real events, the name Erica is a pseudonym, used to hide the identity of the individual scammed.

Targeted on an Electric Picnic Ticket Facebook Group

In an attempt to secure two-weekend camping tickets to the music and arts gathering, Erica joined an Electric Picnic Facebook Group for buying and selling tickets.

Within her negotiations, the seller’s malicious intentions became rather apparent due to the language they used, their lack of knowledge surrounding the festival and the pricing of a ticket.

After finding a gentleman to sell her two tickets, Erica maintained her hesitancy, conducting a thorough background check into his Facebook page, friends and recent posts. She also requested evidence, asking for proof of purchase displaying his name and a screenshot of the Ticketmaster account. He supplied each request.

He was presented as a sincere and empathetic person so Erica saw no reason to terminate the transaction, and therefore progressed.

This particular Electric Picnic Facebook Group was rather familiar with online scams. However, despite their advertisements and recommendations to use Shieldescrow, Erica decided to transfer the funds through a different payment platform.

From this moment forth, a variety of complications arose. The gentleman began to request more money, asking for an additional fee which was not previously negotiated.

When this tactic failed, he demanded she reissue the original payment, stating the first payment had not gone through.

Despite Erica’s best efforts, he insisted the tickets would not be sent until the additional payments were paid. All the while maintaining a sympathetic and apologetic temperament.

At that moment, Erica realised she had made a mistake. She had been coerced into falling for a scam. She attempted to message one more time, to confront him of his fraud. However, once challenged, he disappeared.

How to Protect Yourself Against Scams

The Electric Picnic Facebook Group provides a wonderful place for people to connect and to buy, sell or trade. For the most part it is composed of real, genuine individuals looking to transact legitimate tickets.

However, scammers have gotten more sophisticated in recent years and they are not always easily identified. It is therefore important to protect yourself by transacting through Shieldescrow.

Shieldescrow is an instant transactional solution for any marketplace or Facebook Group, eliminating the prospect of fraud and scams.

If Erica had opted to use Shieldescrow, she would have been safeguarded during the payment process.

Shieldescrow positions itself between the buyer and the seller of the product to ensure a more secure, protected, risk-free transaction.

Utilizing Shieldescrow’s buyer protection and fraud detection features, buyers and sellers can transact with a whole new layer of security, maintaining full peace of mind.

The post Scammed out of over €500 buying Festival Tickets! appeared first on Shieldescrow Blog.

A new Phishing Scam targeting online marketplaces and selling websites is increasing in popularity. These scams concern well known reputable courier services and their apparently new, highly secure, efficient payment platform.

Courier services such as Fastway, DPD and FedEx are the latest companies to be impersonated by the fraudsters in their attempt to obtain private information.

New Courier Scams – How They Work and How to Fight Them

Individuals are targeted when they list an item for sale on an online marketplace or website and are contacted by an ‘interested buyer’.

Once a price is agreed, the buyer seeks to use the reputable courier, presenting it as an efficient way to transact with the service arranging payment, collection and delivery.

Using the company as a third-party payment system, the scammer will allegedly deposit the agreed price into the platform. After which the seller is free to create an account, uploading their bank details with the expectation that the money will be transferred.

Evidently, the seller does not receive their money, nor does the package ever get collected. Furthermore the scammer now has access to their bank account details and will attempt to extract any and all available funds.

How to Recognise a Phishing Scam & Avoid Them

It can be very easy to fall victim to a phishing scam. They are often highly convincing and well organised. It is important to stay vigilant and protect yourself by transacting exclusively in a safe environment.

We recommend when either buying or selling online to always request to transact with Shieldescrow. Considering Shieldescrow only releases the funds once the purchase has been received and inspected, no scammer is willing to conduct their payment processes through our platform.

Shieldescrow’s team of fraud analysts offer additional security, as they ensure all suspicious transactions are flagged, paused and investigated before any funds are released.

Shieldescrow considers and caters to the needs of both parties, not only protecting the buyers but additionally the sellers. Shieldescrow safeguards all sellers from fraudulent complaints and dishonest returns, mediating and resolving all disputes.

Shieldescrow is an instant transactional solution for any marketplace, eliminating the prospect of fraud and scams. Utilising Shieldescrow’s buyer protection and fraud detection features, sellers can add a whole new layer of security to their trading platforms.

The post New Phishing Scam Targeting Online Selling Websites/Marketplace Websites appeared first on Shieldescrow Blog.

Through the ‘Business and Technology’ scholarship program, Shieldescrow hopes to increase awareness and encourage a new generation of high-achieving scholars to take up the challenge of a career in Fintech.

We are directing this program by partnering with universities & colleges across the globe, with a focused approach, targeting students in their final year, committed to disciplines with strong relevance to our business.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Shieldescrow Business and Technology Scholarship, you must:

– Be an enrolled final year student in an undergraduate/postgraduate degree.
– Intend to pursue a career in the Fintech field or simply for a Fintech company.
– Demonstrate a passion for technology and the impact it can have on the world.
– Enrolment status must be full-time.

The Awards

A monetary award of €3000 will be made to the successful student. The successful student will also be allocated a Shieldescrow mentor who will be available for advice throughout their academic studies. The Scholarship awardee will also be invited to complete a summer work placement at Shieldescrow.

Evaluation

Students are invited to apply for the scholarship by providing a brief outline of modules covered on their course to date that relate to Shieldescrow, brief details of relevant experience to date, along with a 250-word description of their career goals. Entries should be made on the Shieldescrow website. Shieldescrow will review these applications, which may be followed by an interview process.

Application Form

Please click the link to fill out the application form – Click Here

The post Shieldescrow Business & Technology Scholarship 2022 appeared first on Shieldescrow Blog.