Main Entry: scam
Pronunciation: 'skam
Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1963
Description: a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation. e.g., an insurance scam

Sadly there are Scams in NeoPets, some people are just not very nice.

Anyone who tries to scam you, is looking to disrupt your enjoyment of NeoPets, to better their own NeoPet account (e.g. by getting all your items), and possible to prove how "clever" they are.

In this Guide I will try to describe all the known scams - but more appear every day :(

But don't let that put you off , there are some 18 million people playing NeoPets and only the smallest amount of them are the scammers. Providing you use some common sense, and stick to the advise I have gathered through experience, you will never be at the mercy of an Evil Scammer!

For the latest scams and other tricks to watch out for, check out the Wall Of Shame, which NeoPets Staff keep updated as and when new scams are discovered.

The Two Most Important Rules

1. OK, one of the most important rules to avoid being scammed, is NEVER tell anyone your password. Not even if they ask nicely, or offer you items. Even if the person seems to be nice, and does give you items, once they have your password, you will have lost your account - they will take all your items (including any they may have given you), clear out your Shop, your Bank Account and your Safety Deposit Box. They will use your NP to buy items in their own shop (then transfer those items back to themselves) thereby taking all your NP, they may even abandon your pets! :( Also, make sure you NEVER ask anyone for their password as this results in an instant frozen account.

2. Another important thing to remember is that NeoPets Staff use ONE account only for anything they have to do (for example - sending you a NeoMail to advise that you have won the Lottery). This account is called theneopetsteam, if you get a NeoMail from anyone claiming to be Staff but they are not using this account DO NOT BELIEVE THEM - even if the user lookup says they are Staff in the description (as you can edit this yourself - don't get this confused with NeoPet Monitors, they are different).

NeoPets Staff will NEVER ask for your password, or tell you to send them or anyone else an item, neither will they tell you to forward on a chain letter in order to get an item.

Other Scams

If you know of any other scams that aren't covered here, please NeoMail me, and I will add them - with your help we can all beat the scammers!

Well, I hope I haven't scared you too much! As I said earlier, providing you are sensible, there is very little chance of falling victim to a Scammer.