Whenever people gather together to trade, there are crooks and scams. The Internet is no different. Knowledge is your only defense.

Common scams (that have been reported by Citynews users:)

Foreign Cashier's Check: A customer offers to buy your car, motorcycle, airplane, ... with a Cashier's Check for a larger amount. He asks you to send him back the difference.

Result: The check is bogus, and you are out whatever you sent. Ask yourself why can't he just wire you the money, if you can wire it to him...

Secret Foreign Bank Account: Someone contacts you with a story about how a relative, now dead, has embezzled zillions from ex-dictator of Liberia, and now needs an American's bank account to park the money in, and they will reward you with a huge amount for no work.

Result: you give them your bank information. They don't put the money in; rather they take all your money out.

Scams abound in the Work From Home area, but all segments of the market have scams - here's a Partial List that is interesting reading. College Scholarship Scams illustrate the point that, "if you have to spend money to get money, it's probably a scam".

"Free", "Prizes", requests for your credit card number - these are all tip-offs that an offer may be a scam. "If it sounds too good to be true", most likely it is a scam.

The Federal Trade Commission has a list of the Top 10 scams.

If you think you have been scammed, call the non-emergency police number in your local phone directory. If they can't help, you can call the FTC toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov.

Please tell us about any scams in ads we show, and send us any suggestions or comments.