guest, DON'T BE SCAMMED!!!

So you want to know about scammers. You've come to the right place. Unfortunately, scammers seem to be everywhere on Neopets these days. They use many tricks, schemes and personas to trick innocent, trusting and unsuspecting Neopets players into giving up their hard-earned neopoints, items and even pets. Below I've tried to give examples of each and every scam I know of out there.

PLEASE DON'T BE SCAMMED!!! Remember the following rule, and you should escape scam-free!

THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE:
Does it sound too good to be true? Then it probably is.

Need to report a scammer? Go here.

Want to read Neopets "Terms and Conditions" (i.e. "Rules")? Go here.

Want to see what Neopets has to say about scammers? Go here.

And with that, please read over and enjoy the rest of my page!

Links to this site and links to Neomail me are located at the bottom of the page!




SCAM #1
The Tricky Trade

So, you've been jiving for that Faerie Queen Doll avvie?




Or maybe the MSPP (TCG)?



But you don't have the millions for the full collat people are asking.

Ok, so you go on the chatboards, you post the topic.


You don't have a lot of hope, but you figure it's worth a shot. Suddenly, you get a Neomail.



Hope!

And your dreams have been answered! Some kind soul says he has the FQD and is willing to trade with you for your low collatoral!!!



But...as always...there is a catch. I've provided a little cartoon to represent the typical conversation you would have with your classic Type One Scammer.



So, the scammer puts a junk item in his trades, you go bid your hard-earned 30,000 nps and wait for him to send you your FQD.



Only the FQD never comes. Confused, you go to Neomail the person, only to discover that they have blocked your Neomails.

Uh oh.



Yes.
You've been scammed. Sorry to say it, but this is one of the oldest ones in the book.


Now that you've been granted some clarity, think about this one for a minute. How is it any safer for this person to have you bid on a junk item first and then give you the FQD or MSPP? It's just as safe for him if you bid DIRECTLY on the item. If you tried to bid something less than he asked, he could simply reject the bid. If you bid what you said you'd bid, then you obviously weren't lying, and he can accept. It's that simple.



There's another possibility for this same scenario. Let's say you have the 1.6 million neopoints collat that is asked. The only problem is this -- the Trading Post only lets you bid 800,000 nps, tops. So the person with the FQD "innocently" asks you to bid 800,000 on a junk item, and once you do that, you can bid the second 800,000 on the FQD.

THIS IS STILL A SCAM!!! The end result is going to be the same. You'll wind up with junk, he'll have 800,000 nps and his FQD will never show up to be bid on (or, if he already had it up, he'll just reject your bid on it).



If you need to bid more than 800,000nps on something, bid the full amount of neopoints PLUS an OBJECT worth the rest. Here's an example of some items that are good for trades for expensive items:


Faerie Paint Brush * Pink Paint Brush * Grey Paint Brush *Baby Paint Brush * Plushie Paint Brush * Darigan Paint Brush * Ghostkerchief Bomb * Sword of Skarsden



One final scam possibility. This is where a user posts a board, saying he will lend his FQD or MSPP to several poor users IF they pool their neopoints and items together, give them all to him as a "collective collat" and then he will lend it to each.

I think by now you know what's going to happen. The scammer is going to take EVERYONE'S items and run, never lending the FQD or MSPP to anyone.

THE LESSON: When trying to borrow an item, ALWAYS bid DIRECTLY on the item. DON'T BID ON JUNK ITEMS, OR YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE YOUR NEOPOINTS!!



SCAM #2
The Great Pet Swap

So you want that elusive Krawk avvie?



Or maybe the pink, coco jub, orange grundo, or island quiggle?



Or maybe the...ok you get the point. So you save up long and hard and buy a paint brush or get the lab ray and wind up with (for example) a grey pet.


Awww...isn't it cute????

Ok, so you're like..."Well, gee..Now that I have the grey avvie, maybe I can lend out my pet for OTHER avvie pets and get ALL the pet avvies the cheap-and-easy way!!!

This is where you should remind yourself that "The Cheap-and-Easy Way" is rarely the safe way, and very often results in you being scammed.

But you're too greedy to use common sense. So you make a board topic.



You wait for people to come in and offer to lend their other avvie pets.

This whole process, of course, is against the rules, but that's regardless.



So, someone comes on and says they'll trade you their shiny, new Krawk for your grey pet. Joy.



Hmmm...sound to good to be true? It probably is.
So you talk to this person on AIM or MSN or whatever IM program you have, and here's how the convo goes:


Hmm...that's odd. Why did she sign off?? She still hasn't given you her Krawk.
So you go to Neomail her, only to find she's blocked you.

Guess what, you've been scammed. Not only that, but you've left your precious grey wocky in the hands of a scammer. NOW how do you feel about getting that Krawk avvie the "Cheap-and-Easy Way?"





Another one of my favorites is when people ask for "collat" to lend a pet. Here's what that scam convo would look like:


Yup...that's right. You've been scammed again. Another one from "The Book." The reason they post boards saying they are lending "for free" is because they want to entice gullible kids and because they don't want to get frozen for "selling pets."

Lending pets is NEVER safe. There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY to do it and GUARANTEE you will do a safe transfer. (Even if you trade with someone trustworthy, a pound sitter could interrupt your transfer). The SAFEST way to do it is to make sure you know the other person in "real" life and that you trust that person. But even this isn't safe, for the reason I said before. It's a really bad idea to go on to the boards and find a random person to trade with.



THE LESSON: Don't ever lend your pets!! Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many people lose their pets this way. So many. It happens ALL THE TIME. So just DON'T DO IT!!!




SCAM #3
The Magic Word

So you want that elusive game avatar, but you're no good at games?



So you go on the boards and post a topic:



Really, all you're looking for are some good game guides. Maybe a few hints and tricks to help you get those extra points needed. Some people come on, give you some okay tips. Then, all of sudden, it appears:


Someone Neomails you and says,


Hmm...give someone your account info? Sounds kind of shady...but...you want those game avvies so badly, and they seem so nice, and they asked for a tip. Clearly if they asked for a tip, they are being honest. They're just trying to make Neopoints by playing games for people. And you'd gladly pay Neopoints for a shiny, new game avvie!

So, you give that person your account info. You don't hear from them in hours. You decide to sign on and see which new avvies she got you. You try to type in your word, but it tells you your word is invalid.

Why can't you sign in? Because the scammer has stolen your account. They changed your word AND your e-mail address. They've probably taken all your neopoints, all your items and, possibly, pounded all your pets.

NEVER GIVE ANYONE YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION!!! DON'T EVEN GIVE IT TO YOUR LITTLE BROTHER! LITTLE BROTHERS CAN BE EVIL!!!



There are MANY scams out there to try to get on your account. Here are a few of the other lines I've heard:

  1. I know a trick that will get you 1 million Neopoints or 500,000 paint brushes or a FQD (or any combo of good items/nps there) but first I need your account info. (Umm...yeah. If there were really tricks to get easy, free items or Neopoints, don't you think there would be far more rich Neopians out there? Ask yourself: Why would Neopets CREATE such a trick? They wouldn't. Plus the people who claim these scams are real never have great accounts. Wouldn't THEY have millionaire accounts if this scam were true? THINK about it.)



  2. Sometimes people just post, "Give me your word!!!" on the chatboards. This isn't really a scam, because it's too...uhh...obvious and usually is just an attempt by that person to get frozen, but I thought I'd mention it. By the way, if you fall for THIS one then...uhh..you need more help than any pet page can provide.

  3. Let me on your account and I'll zap your pets using my lab ray. (This one is for real newbies. NOTE: You can only use the lab ray on your OWN account, you can't take a lab ray and use it on another account.)



  4. Someone will post on the board: Type your p* word backward and it will show up on the boards as "******." The scammer expects stupid, stupid people to type in their words backwards so they can see this amazing font effect. Of course, DUUUUHHHH, this one is a scam. No *****'s appear if you type your word backward on the chatboards. Why would it? What appears is your word. Backward. Then the scammer takes it and logs in to your account. So don't try it.

  5. Let me on your account so I can make you a nice user lookup/petpage. (Hellllloooo!! You don't need to let anyone on your account to make you a lookup. They can just send you the coding and you can put it in yourself.)

  6. Someone contacts you, either through Neomail, or maybe even AIM/MSN or your regular e-mail (If you were dumb enough to give that info out) claiming to be the Neopets Staff and they say,
    Hi. There has been a glitch in our systems and we have lost your file. We need your account information right away or your account will be deleted."

    or, "It has come to our attention that you were "enter some type of bad activity here." In order not to have your account deleted, we need your information right away."

    or, "Some other type of Neomail that claims to be TNT saying you must give your account info over "right away.

    TRUST ME, PEOPLE GET CREATIVE WITH THIS ONE!! They create e-mail addresses that resemble the TNT account name or they create AIM names like Weareneopetsteam and IM you. TNT will NEVER contact you in ANY WAY other than your neomail and never from ANY account other than TheNeopetsTeam. They say so, explicitely, right here.

    Also, as they say, ALL OVER THE SITE, Neopets staff will never ask you for your account info. EVER. If they had lost your word, you would not be able to sign into your account. It's that simple. And unless you get a neomail from the username "theneopetsteam" than you have NOT been contact by Neopets staff.



    Another info scam I'm aware of is similar to the game avvie one. Let's say you want a really expensive item for an avvie, but you can't afford it.



    So you post a board topic:



    So someone pretending to have the MSPP or a FQD says they will help you get the avvie, but since you don't have the correct collat, you need to let them on your account so they can give you the item, get you the avvy, and then give it back to themselves. This way, they claim, they know you cannot steal their card or doll. SCAM ALERT!!! No one is going to go through all that trouble just to give YOU an avvie, even if you do offer a 100,000 np "tip." Why would they settle for a 100k tip when they can take ALL your neopoints, ALL your items and ALL your pets? Only scammers will ask for your account info. It's an instantly freezable offense, so no honest person is going to risk it.



    And, finally, be aware of people trying to get you to change your e-mail address. The most common scam for this one is the same-old stupid chain letter saying you'll receive 1 million nps free or 100 paint brushes or whatever if you change you e-mail to a certain address. All you're doing is enabling the scammer to try to log-in with your username, then claim they "forgot their p* word" and when TNT e-mails it to them, it will go to the new e-mail address you just changed it to. Then they can access your account.

    Scammers pretending to be TNT staffers will also try IMing you or e-mailing/neomailing you and say you need to send them your e-mail address (or, again, need to change it to something specific). TNT would never ask you for your account info, and if they did, it would certainly only be from the TheNeoPetsTeam account. That's it. So don't -- whatever you do -- change your e-mail.

    THE LESSON: Never, EVER EVER EVER EVER give out your account info. Ever. Period. Done.



SCAM #4
The Ol' Switch-a-roo

So you want an Icy Snowflake? Or Maybe the Pinata Avvy?



But you can't afford it. Stupid avvie items. Costing more than 100k. Stupid avvies!



So, one day you're surfing the boards and you see someone has posted a topic, "Selling Icy Snowflake for 99k!!!"

So, with little hope, you check out the board and discover that, amazingly, this kind soul is, in fact, selling their Icy Snowflake or Pinata for only 99k! Yes, it seems they were having a really difficult time selling their item, so they priced it cheaply so they could make a faster profit. It's going to be in his shop in 5 minutes. You'd better wait there so you can make sure you get the item!

Well, the times comes. You refresh the shop and THERE IT IS!!!



Without even thinking, you click on it. WOW WHAT A DEAL! AN ICY SNOWFLAKE FOR 99K!!

You go to Your Items to see your great snipe and are somewhat confused....Waaaaait a minute! That doesn't look like an Icy Snowflake at all!!! That's a WET Snowflake!! That doesn't get you an avvy! And it's worth FAR less than 99k!

Yup, that's right. You've been scammed.

These scammers hope that you'll be so anxious to get a 300k item for 99k that you'll click on it in their shops before you stop to really look. And very often, they are successful. Now you're out like 99k, and you don't even have an avvie to show for it.

Here is the Icy Snowflake. It looks like this. Do not be fooled by the Evil Snowflake or the Wet Snowflake or any of the other ones out here. This one is the only one that gets you the avvie:



These do not:


Wet Snowflake * Evil Snowflake * Poison Snowflake * Yellow Snowflake * Peach Snowflake

Here are the ONLY pinatas that get you the avvie. You must play with a TOY pinata in order to get the avatar. Beware of people selling FURNITURE pinatas for 99k, hoping you'll buy a grossly overpriced piece of junk that does not get you an avvie.

These DO get you the avvie:


Meuka pinata * Balthazar pinata * Vira pinata * Hubrid Nox pinata

These DO NOT get you the avvie:


Pant Devil pinata * Taxbeast pinata * Count Von Roo pinata * Shadow Usul pinata * Dr Sloth pinata

Ok, so now you know. If someone's offering a really expensive item for 99k, they are more likely than not trying to scam you. Be careful and LOOK first. It's far better to maybe miss out on a great deal than to be scammed out of all your neopoints.

THE LESSON: If a price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always check your purchases before you buy.



SCAM #5
Cookie Monster Strikes!

So you're surfing the Neoboards. You're kinda bored. Looking for something interesting. Then you see a rather intriguing post. It says, "COME CHECK OUT THIS COOL SITE!"

So you click on the board, and there this person has posted (somehow) a link to a site that he promises will get you 1,000,000 nps just by going to it. Or maybe he says he posted some *trick* on how to get lots of neopoints there. Whatever.



So you go to the site, only to be disappointed by its overall lameness. In fact, it's probably just a blank page. (If it's a page asking you for your account info, see Scam #3.)

But don't be fooled by its blank appearance. This is a very sophisticated web site! It has magical hidden powers called a "Cookie Grabber." This "Cookie Grabber" is able to "see" into your computer. It tracks which sites you've visited online and can show everything you've done since you were on the site. Including the page where you typed in your account info. Which means, of course, that the person who made the site now has your account info.



Well, here are some solutions. They MAY work, if you move fast.

#1: Go to your User Preferences and change your word and e-mail address.

#2: Clear out your "cookies" (i.e. the files that record your recent online history). Here is how to do that:

DONE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ON A MAC







DONE USING MOZILLA ON AN IBM/PC





Just so you know, when you clear your cookies, you will have to sign in again. Make sure the page you're given to sign into is the true log-in page. (thanks jaknratchet for reminding me to add this!)

#3: Report what happened to TNT here. This is TNT's "Safety Tips" site, and you can click whichever link you need there to send them a Neomail about what scam you fell for.



Another version of this scam happens when you're surfing the site and suddenly it says you are "Logged Out" and you must type in your info, even though you never clicked "Log Out." The most common way this happens is you go to a shop and click to buy something and all of a sudden it says you got logged out. So you type in your info to that page, assuming it's a glitch, and go on your merry way.

But it's not so merry. Because what you just typed your info into is called a "fake log-in page." When you clicked that item in the shop, it actually sent you to an outside webpage. If you had noticed the URL, you would have seen that the page you typed your info into wasn't even a www.neopets.com address.



Someone now has your account info. The best solutions here are to follow Steps 1 and 3 above.

THE LESSON: Neopets blocks outside URLs for a reason. NEVER click on a link for a site outside of Neopets, unless you know of the site already (like Google, or something) or someone you TRULY trust gave you the link. And if you're asked to sign in, always check the URL.



SCAM #6
Buy My Stuff and Get Better Stuff!

You ever wonder why Neopets banned competitions in guilds and shops?



Ok...well...here's why.

So someone posts on the boards that they are having a "contest" in their shops. Here's the deal: you buy as many of their overpriced items as you can, and each time you make a purchase, you get entered into a drawing for a free paintbrush or something.

You go to their shop, because it sounds like a great idea...



So you buy 5 omelettes for 10,000 nps each and wait for the competition to be over, only to find out that, sadly, you did not win.



It's sad for everyone, actually, because NO ONE won, except the scammer, who just made millions off of junk items and never had to donate a paint brush at all. Even if they post the name of a "winner," that "winner" is just a side account of the scammer's (or a friend's username who was in on it, or a sibling, or whatever).

MOST of the time, contests are SCAMS. This is why TNT banned them! If anyone tries to get you to buy an overpriced piece of junk for ANY reason, it's usually a scam. Why would they give anyone a paint brush at the end when they could easily fake a winner? Why would they be trying to make tons of neopoints off of junk instead of just selling the paint brush for the nps?

And, once again, remember that contests are against the rules.



That means anyone trying to have one is BLATANTLY breaking the rules and risking having their account frozen. Only a lazy, desparate scammer would try this, not a legit user trying to make legit nps and play the game right.



Also, don't fall for beggers telling you their sob stories of how they were scammed out of millions and asking for "donations" in the form of you buying overpriced junk. A lot of these people claim they will "reward" you when they are "back on their feet." They aren't going to reward you. If they need the money to "get back on their feet," why would they give it all away in rewards once they get it? Then they'd be off their feet again!



THE LESSON: Don't EVER take part in a competition or contest that requires you giving away your items, neopoints or pets (or graphics). Neopets has plenty of fun competitions for LEGIT prizes you can take part in. Go do one of those, here.




SCAM #7
A Lousy Substitution

So...you want a painted pet. But paintbrushes are, like, sooooooooooo expensive.

Bummer.

And you don't actually want to WORK for that paintbrush. You'd rather get a painted pet the "Cheap-and-Easy Way."

Now you could pound sit and hope a painted pet comes across your path -- but who has the energy for that?



So you make a board:



So some people come on and call you a begger and a "noob" and tell you to "earn one yourself."

You're feeling pretty low.



But then, something happens! (Come on, you know it's coming...)



Yeah! There it is! The Neomail! So some kind soul has decided to write you and tell you about a GREAT secret, unknown to most on the site.

It seems, apparently, that feeding your pet a ton of "Glowing Jelly" will make them turn glowing. Also, feeding your pet continuously with something with "spotted" in the name will turn your pet spotted. Something with "pink" in the name will turn your pet pink. Etc. Etc.

After they convince you of this fallacy, they direct you to their shop where they have (convienently) some VERY overpriced glowing jelly, lesser spotted fish, etc. that you can buy as a great cheap alternative to a paint brush.

Only problem? It doesn't work. Glowing jelly will never turn your pet glowing, spotted items don't make your pet spotted, and feeding your pet a banana will not turn them into a baboon.



Basically, keep this in mind: Unless your pet is a Kiko, Chia or a JubJub, the ONLY things that will change their colors are paintbrushes, morphing potions, trasmogrificaton potions, the lab ray, MAGICAL plushies and some random events.



Kikos, chias and jubjubs can be painted by eating certain types of food, but please MAKE SURE you do THOROUGH RESEARCH into how to paint those three pets, if it's not through one of the methods I mentioned above. People WILL try to scam you if you don't have your facts straight. Also, don't be fooled by purchasing a /regular/ plushie that the person has promised will change your pet into whatever it is by playing with it. The only plushies that change your pet are MAGICAL plushies, which will say MAGICAL in the name. For example, a Magical Poogle Plushie will turn your pet into a Poogle. A Blue Poogle Plushie will not.

THE LESSON: Painting your pet is going to be expensive. Unless you want to pound lurk, you're going to have to pay money to do it. That's why painted pets are so DESIREABLE. Because they are expensive and difficult to earn. If you try to get one the "Cheap-and'Easy Way," you're very likely going to get scammed.



SCAM #8
Why Isn't This Thing WORKING???

So, you're looking to paint your pet. Maybe pink. Maybe baby. Oooohh...look at the Darigan Kougra!



Pretty!

So you're looking in the Trading Post for some deals, searching for "Paint Brush." Suddenly you come on a GREAT deal! Some stupid noob is selling a GLASS PAINT BRUSH for only 99,999nps!!!! WOW!



So you quickly gather your nps together and bid, PRAYING that no one else beat you to it.

Your joy meets no end when the noob accepts your trade, and there you are with your SHINY NEW PAINTBRUSH for only 99k! Aren't you lucky?

No.

You're not.

Wanna know why? Glass and Stone Paint Brushes DO NOT WORK. YOU CANNOT PAINT YOUR PET WITH THEM!!

Don't let anyone convince you that they can. Don't believe me? Go here. Or just type "Glass Paint Brush" or "Stone Paint Brush" in the search bar.





Also, some people try to scam unknowing users into buying the PLUSHIE version of a paintbrush instead of the real one. Once again, they pretend they are giving the user a "great deal" by selling a "paint brush" for an affordable price. All they are really doing is selling a useless plushie for way more than it's worth. Below is an image of all the paint brushes that also come in plushie form. If you're buying one of these paint brushes, check to make sure it's the actual paint brush before purchasing!



THE LESSON: Don't buy a Glass or Stone Paint Brush if you hope to paint your pet with it. They don't work. People will try to pretend they do so you'll pay too much for it, but they don't. Also, check to make sure your paintbrush is not a plushie before buying it.



SCAM #9
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

So you're going on vacation for a few days?



Well...lucky you!

But, the problem is, you're worried about your Neopets. Who is going to care for them when you're gone?

So you surf the boards and discover that some kind soul is offering "Neo (sitting) Services!" How nice! All you have to do is give them your p* word so they can go on your account and feed your pets everyday and get your freebies.

Now, you know you're never supposed to give out your account info, but you'll make an exception for this! So you give this person your word.

You go on vacation and get very tan.



You try to log on to your Neopets account to see what's happened while you were gone and check on your pets; only to find it's not accepting your p* word.

Yes. Once again, you've been scammed. This supposed "Neo (sitter)" was really just looking to take your account, all your neopoints, all your items and maybe your pets, if they were painted or had good stats. Once again, this is why you never give out your account info.

If you are going on vacation and can't bare to leave your pets unfed for a few days (they don't ever die, you know) you can always enroll them in the Neolodge. You can go there here.



The Neolodge keeps your pet happy and fed and SAFE while you are away.



As always, there is another version of this scam. In this version, a user contacts YOU asking YOU to watch their pets for them

Hmm...so far it doesn't sound like YOU are risking anything. And you desire to be a nice person, so you agree.

Then they casually add, "Oh, but just to be safe -- so I know you won't steal my account -- can I have your p* word, too? That way we both have each other's words."

Well, that still sounds legit to you. Afterall, if they try to steal your account, you can just steal theirs.

So you agree, and as usual, the next time you go to sign onto your account, you find your word has been changed and you can no longer log in. So you sign onto the scammers account, but all you find is an empty account -- not even junk newbie items!



No, it's because the scammer took them all and left you with nothing. Once again, NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR ACCOUNT INFO! If someone asks you to Neo (sit) their pet, tell them to use the Neolodge.

THE LESSON: Neo (sitting) is against the rules. That's why Neopets made the Neolodge. Worse case scenario, you can leave your pets unattended for a few days -- nothing bad will happen to them, and the end results are far better than getting your account stolen.






Ok, guest, I guess that's it for now. Remember, educating yourself and others about scams is important. The more people are aware of these scams, the more people can avoid them and then fewer scammers will be on the site.

If you know of any scams out there I did not cover, or if you have any comments at all, feel free to Neomail me here!

*Note* I realized I was getting a lot of messages on this account, but since it's a side account, sometimes I would leave my mail to rot so long, TNT would actually delete it. Due to that, I've changed my Neomail link so you can send your comments directly to my main account, Lindzgrl.

SPREAD THE WORD! LINK TO MY PAGE!!!


Link button by skw555. Thanks so much for making it!






Last two images by pandapairs. Thanks so much to you, too!





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