Internet Safety Tips

Stay Safe on the Internet

We have had many successful connections made between Homestay Guests and Homestay Hosts at www.HomestayCentral.com and www.Homesstay.com. We will continue to support our Members with informative links and valuable information through our web-site.

If a situation arises, through contacts you have made through our web-site, that you feel unsure or uncomfortable with, please contact us immediately by email at admin@HomestayCentral.com. We are pleased to offer suggestions and answer questions to help you determine if the other party is legitimate.

There are so many wonderful Hosts and Students looking for each other. We want to support the legitimate Hosts and Students and help them Stay Safe and find good Homestays!

Basic Steps to Protect Yourself from Internet Fraud!

1) Use your common-sense.
If a situation arises that you feel unsure or uncomfortable with, or if it sounds "too good to be true", BE AWARE!

2) Do not take cheques until you have met and established the legitimacy of your guest.

3) If you do take a cheque in advance, Cash the cheque at the same bank that issued the cheques. Be aware that many of the fraudulent cheques look official (i.e. drawn from a Provincial Government, etc.)

4) Do not ever send money to reimburse any supposed "overpayment" until the cheque has cleared through your bank account in 7-10 days.

5) Do not believe the heart-wrenching stories that are causing urgency in sending any money immediately. They will just have to wait until the cheque clears your bank. If everything is legitimate, the cheque will clear and you can happily send the reimbursement.

6) Do not ever give out your bank account information! If they offer to deposit directly to your bank account, say NO THANKS!

7) Read newspaper stories or on-line articles about internet scams to stay informed and safe.

Remember, if a situation arises, through contacts you have made through our web-site, that you feel unsure or uncomfortable with, please contact us immediately by email at admin@Homesstay.com. We are pleased to offer suggestions and answer questions to help you determine if the other party is legitimate.

Email Samples for Possible Purposes of Fraud

Below are 2 samples of emails possibly intended for fraudulent purposes. These responses were sent through our site, targeting our Hosts, in order to build their credibility. We are an open site and offer matchmaking services between Hosts and Students. We do not control the content of emails and therefore we must all be vigilant in protecting ourselves.

If you suspect that you have received a scam email, please forward it to us at admin@homesstay.com and we will investigate and get back to you. We are committed to sharing information with our members so that they may protect themselves from this type of fraud.

The first of these emails was received in October 2007 and the second was received in January 2008. Notice the similarities in the names and the "story" that they present. They even have the same typos!

If you receive such an email, please be careful to qualify anyone that you may engage in correspondence with.

These types of scams count on developing a "relationship" with you by email and phone. After a few months, they send you an overpayment in the form of a fake cheque, and ask for a "re-imbursement" by money transfer or cheque. Often the victim will send money before the fake cheque clears. This is how they steal your money.

Never send money to anyone that you don't know. A person making a legitimate request will understand that they have to be patient and wait for their money to be remibursed by cheque.

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Possible email for Purposes of Fraud - Sample 1

Received October 2007

This message is regarding your ad at HomestayCentral.com (http://www.homesstay.com/homestayfind_details.php?id=###)

Message: Hello,

I\'m Mary Alice W________ writing to you because I came across your service for the above subject and we are interested.

My child age 20yrs are moving to Canada for her studies but she is now in States to spend some time with my Sister and I want her to move from there to school.

My family friend there will assist in making sure all the payment are made before she move in.

1.I would like to know your charges
2.If you would able to accomodate her
3.She will be staying just for 4months.

Regards

Mary.

You can respond to mary_W______@yahoo.co.uk by replying to this email.

Thanks for using HomestayCentral.com

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Possible email for Purposes of Fraud - Sample 2

Received January 2008

This message is regarding your ad at HomestayCentral.com (http://www.homesstay.com/homestayfind_details.php?id=###)

Message: Hello,

Complinments of the season! I\'m Mary P________ writing to you because I came across your service for the above subject and we are interested.

My child age 19yrs is moving to Canada for her studies but she is now in US where she spent the holidays with my Sister and I want her to move from there to school.

Mr. Anthony Gertler will assist in making sure all the payment are made before she move in.

1.I would like to know your charges
2.If you would be able to accomodate her
3.She will be staying just for 4months.

We are from Spain but reside in Ireland.

Regards

Mary P__________

You can respond to mary_p_______@yahoo.com by replying to this email.

Thanks for using HomestayCentral.com

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Stay Safe on the Internet!

Once again, please notice the similarities in the names and the "story" that these two emails present. They even have the same typos and use the same information! Obviously, these messages were cut and paste from the same original text.

If you receive such an email, please be careful to qualify anyone that you may engage in correspondence with.

Remember, these types of scams count on developing a "relationship" with you by email and phone. After a few months, they send you an overpayment in the form of a fake cheque, and ask for a "re-imbursement" by money transfer or cheque. Often the victim will send money before the fake cheque clears. This is how they steal your money.

Never send money to anyone that you don't know. A person making a legitimate request will understand that they have to be patient and wait for their money to be remibursed by cheque.

If you suspect that you have received a scam email, please forward it to us at admin@homesstay.com and we will investigate. We are committed to sharing information with our members so that they may protect themselves from this type of fraud.

Thank you from the Homestay Central Team. Be internet savy! Stay Safe!