Craigslist payment advice

[cashmoney]

Police are not going to be contacted as it is not a crime to send somebody a check.

But it is a crime to do this to the one person who fell for it and that's why it should be reported. Guarantee you aren't the only person they've done this to and guarantee someone has fallen for it and been robbed of their merchandise and money.

 

[9494runner]

A lot of times, they'll want you to just send them back the difference and by time you find out, you're out the difference, and the money they sent you, plus possibly your merch.

That was exactly the scam haha. Really took to making this thread to confirm my gut. I try to have faith in people!:boom:

 

[Nervo19]

This has been a scam for about 15 years. Craigslist even has warnings on their site about it.

It is a crime to send someone a fake check. It's attempted grand larceny. I think it's probably not worth your time to mess with because the local police will probably try to claim it's a civil matter.

So you did not ship the motor and you are not out any money so crisis averted. People suck.

I do think it's ridiculous that modern banks can't tell that a check is fake until weeks later.

 

[ramonortiz55]

i dont sell many things on CL.

i am unfamiliar with this scam, how exactly does it happen?

what's the benefit if the scammer writing a check out for two or three times the asking price of your item?

 

[ThorInc]

i dont sell many things on CL.

i am unfamiliar with this scam, how exactly does it happen?

what's the benefit if the scammer writing a check out for two or three times the asking price of your item?

You pay the shipper, ship and the cheque/order bounces HIGH in two weeks, it's a fake cheque anyway. Or you return the difference through Western Union and they are ahead.

 

[9494runner]

This has been a scam for about 15 years. Craigslist even has warnings on their site about it.

It is a crime to send someone a fake check. It's attempted grand larceny. I think it's probably not worth your time to mess with because the local police will probably try to claim it's a civil matter.

So you did not ship the motor and you are not out any money so crisis averted. People suck.

I do think it's ridiculous that modern banks can't tell that a check is fake until weeks later.

I right away knew there was a problem. Check is still sitting on my table where I left it Saturday- forgot to bring it into work to shred it.

Police were never contacted as no crime has been committed yet. It's not a crime to bounce a check or write a check. This check is obviously not printed fraudulently unless they have access to bank checking paper.

See my above post - you know almost right away if the account is legitimate and has enough funds to clear by calling the bank and telling them you want to verify if the account in question has enough funds to clear for a check written to you. You will need the routing number and account number on the check as well as the account. If those are fake the bank will tell you immediately, sorry sir we do not have a account by that number.

Most banks and 99% of credit unions will do this for you for free; verify funds to clear.(edit: the credit unions I work with do this)

 

[BrianSD_42]

[MENTION=109283]9494runner[/MENTION]

Did you ever talk to "her" on the phone or just via email. If so that is a huge red flag. If you did speak was it via a real phone or just skype?

 

[UnderFire]

Any time anyone wants you to ship anything via craigslist, it's a scam, period, I've never once had any legitimate interest in my 4 years using CL where the buyer wanted me to ship anything. If they don't want to meet you with cash in hand, in a very public place that means they're not actually interested.

 

[ben550]

You do know that you address is public records and a simple Google search will turn up where you live 9 times out of 10 fyi. I do mortgages so you'd be surprised what's available without you directly giving that information on the internet.

It is if you use your real name when selling/buying on craigslist...

 

[KidVermicious]

I right away knew there was a problem. Check is still sitting on my table where I left it Saturday- forgot to bring it into work to shred it.

Police were never contacted as no crime has been committed yet. It's not a crime to bounce a check or write a check. This check is obviously not printed fraudulently unless they have access to bank checking paper.

Call the police anyway. They'll probably refer you to the FBI, who will want to know all the details. Attempted fraud is still a crime, and even if your particular incident doesn't result in charges or a conviction, just the act of reporting it will help stop the scammers.

 

[RedSled]

Call the police anyway. They'll probably refer you to the FBI, who will want to know all the details. Attempted fraud is still a crime, and even if your particular incident doesn't result in charges or a conviction, just the act of reporting it will help stop the scammers.

I agree, it may keep some other poor sap from being a victim.

 

[9494runner]

No dice. Police said there was nothing they could do as I didn't send anyone any money and they didn't pick up the motor. The cop who answer the phone just told me that I was smart to recognize it and these instances are pretty common

 

[Jernik]

Well, you did all you could do. You can sleep well tonight for trying to do the right thing. :thumb3: