CLERMONT, Fla. -- A Clermont woman wants to warn people about an Internet scam that cost her thousands of dollars she could not afford to lose.

Kim Palmer read an e-mail offer to help out a U.K. businessman. It seemed pretty simple, he sent money orders by FedEx and Palmer would cash them. Then in return for sending some of the money to the man's business associates overseas, she could keep a 10 percent cut.

Video: Scam Costs Local Woman Hundreds

"With the economy so bad, everyone's looking for a way to make extra gas money," Palmer said.

Palmer learned a tough lesson that banks put holds on money grams and cashier's checks. The money she was sending overseas was her own.

Days later, she learned the checks were no good and the bank deducted $2,600 from her account.

"We realize there are a lot of scams out there. We're not dumb. This looked so legit. I just don't want it to happen to anyone else," Palmer said.

Palmer and her husband have reported the scam to the feds. They also decided to never answer e-mail solicitations again.

"It's a very sick feeling when you realize you've been had like that," Palmer said.

To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Bob Kealing.