You come across a personal ad looking for somebody “serious and local” to drive a handicapped wife when her husband is out of town, or kids who are home alone for a day – there can be plenty of variations of this one.

You’ve been driving for a while and think you are a good driver – why not make some money out of it? You contact the person and he appears very generous. You agree on details and price and he says he will send you a Money order or check in advance.

The day you receive it, he calls you to say he is coming back to town sooner than expected, so there is no need for your services anymore. The scammer will ask you to deposit the check right away, keep 10% for the inconvenience he caused, and send him the rest.

If you do that, you will lose the whole amount from your own account, as the check will bounce in a few business days.

How to avoid: don’t take checks; ask the employer to wire you the money. If you do take a check, don’t send any money until that check has cleared. If he’s on the level, he’ll accept that.