scamming bas****s!

[slisdexia]

So I'm looking to sell my car and I've gotten a fair amount of attention from obvious scammers. The lastest one is the one where they're from overseas and send you a certified check. Does anyone know just how those scams work? I don't really see what the danger would be in cashing the check, but I'm also not sneaky and underhanded. Or a bas****.


By the way, 2008 Mazda 5 spd... I bit off more than I can chew there. Anyone? Anyone?

 

[jrs2]

I think the way it usually works is the 'certified' check is for an amount greater than the agreed price (my accountant made a mistake, or some such crap) and would you kindly send them a check for the difference.

Anybody with a printer can print out 'certified' checks.

 

[ct430]

A couple of years ago, I was selling a Mercedes and experienced something similar.

The scammer sent me a check that was for more than the purchase price under the guise that extra would be for shipping the vehicle. I was instructed to send the difference to an address for the shipping company. Of course, the shipping company was really the scammer.

I didn't do it because it obviously smelled funny. I called the bank the check was drawn from and they informed me that it was from old check stock and was a bad check.

Don't do it.

 

[peter78]

Here is a list of avoiding scams. From Craigslist:

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

I got a few scams that looked like the actual e-mails in the link from people when I was selling my son's drums. I went with there biggest advice, deal with someone in person. Anyway, it seems like a good list of things to watch out for.

Here is a quote from the link:
-------------------------------------------
2. distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check

* you receive an email (examples below) offering to buy your item, or rent your apartment, sight unseen.
* cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for an apartment, or for just about anything else of value.
* value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - scammer offers to "trust" you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
* banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
* scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)

 

[peter78]

Here is an example of one of the scams I got, notice the broken english and how he or she spells "check".

-----------------------------------------
Hello seller,
I'm interested in the mediate purchased of your item listed on
craigslist.. ..Please email me at your earliest convenience. with
the last asking price ,presentcondition,are u the owner of it and if
is still available for sale.And payment will be made by a certified
cheque...So get back to me if this can be solve ...
Thank You ..
collins

 

[Kmvreter]

Critical thing with accepting ANY personal cheque is to wait to act on the transaction. Deposit the cheque and only go through with the deal once it clears the bank and you have THE MONEY in your account, scam or no scam.

Google "Nigeria scam" or "419 scam" for some good info. It's been around for years.

 

[Boston_Runner]

The scam is aim at people who dont have a clear understanding of the banking system. A scammer send you a check and ask for the extra to be send back. You deposit the check. The amount shows up in your account the next day. Most people would think at this point the check is good and sent the extra money back to the scammer. The truth is that over sea checks takes like a week or 2 to clear. After the bank found out its a bad check, they will deduct that amount from your account.

 

[slisdexia]

These people must spend more energy in thinking up these scams and ways to get "out" of work than they would if they just go a job. Losers...:gun:

 

[Climb14er]

I've been in the vehicle and specialty apparatus export business for many years and the best way to protect yourself is to have the buyer wire transfer the money in US dollars to your own account. Once the money is there and verified by your banker, you can then ship the vehicle.

 

[Thai]

I've been in the vehicle and specialty apparatus export business for many years and the best way to protect yourself is to have the buyer wire transfer the money in US dollars to your own account. Once the money is there and verified by your banker, you can then ship the vehicle.

Good info everyone. One question...is it safe to give them your name and bank account number??

BTW, i did not know about the 2 wk processing time for overseas checks...learn something new everyday on this forum.

 

[hostile]

I say with a used vehicle you only sell to the local market. If they really want it they can come pick it up and pay cash for it.

The scam pretty much works by you cashing a bad check at your bank. You send them the extra cash then when the bank realizes it's a bad check, you're the responsible party to make sure the bank gets their money back (with the fees for a bounced check of course).

 

[jrs2]

It can take checks two or more weeks to clear even within the US, especially for large amounts (> 10K).

I think some of these long processing times are just to give the banks interest free use of your money for a while.

 

[keylay31]

Here is an example of one of the scams I got, notice the broken english and how he or she spells "check".

-----------------------------------------
Hello seller,
I'm interested in the mediate purchased of your item listed on
craigslist.. ..Please email me at your earliest convenience. with
the last asking price ,presentcondition,are u the owner of it and if
is still available for sale.And payment will be made by a certified
cheque...So get back to me if this can be solve ...
Thank You ..
collins

Street Smarts #1: Nobody smart ever spends over $100 on something without seeing it beforehand.
Street Smarts #2: Its a scam if they can't use English properly... I mean seriously. Even if it wasn't a scam, I wouldn't want to deal with this person.

 

[slisdexia]

yeah, some of these losers can't use english worth a damn. I agree:iagree: with not wanting to deal with them in general even without the obvious scam attempts :bash:

 

[Red]

There is also another scam that I saw alot while shopping for my 4runner online. You will be browsing websites like kijiji and auto trader and other used car sites like that and you'll see vehicles that are for sale way under that value of the vehicle.

I saw a 2007 Suzuki GSXR 600 on Kijiji for about 4-5 thousand dollars less than what most other bikes like that were going for so I contacted the seller via email and you will get a respose from the person, they will claim to be working overseas in the United Kingdom or in Africa or something like that and they will say they are selling it for so little money because they have to get rid of it ASAP. usually its poor english like other members have pointed out. It's basically the same scam as the ones that have already been discussed but you're the buyer instead of the seller.

Why anyone would fall for this, I have no idea. If someone did fall for something like this, they kinda deserve to get ripped off in my opinion. It'll teach them a valuable lesson when it comes to being smart with your money.

 

[Red]

There is also another scam that I saw alot while shopping for my Bike online. You will be browsing websites like kijiji and auto trader and other used car sites like that and you'll see vehicles that are for sale way under that value of the vehicle.

I saw a 2007 Suzuki GSXR 600 on Kijiji for about 4-5 thousand dollars less than what most other bikes like that were going for so I contacted the seller via email and you will get a respose from the person, they will claim to be working overseas in the United Kingdom or in Africa or something like that and they will say they are selling it for so little money because they have to get rid of it ASAP. usually its poor english like other members have pointed out. It's basically the same scam as the ones that have already been discussed but you're the buyer instead of the seller.

Why anyone would fall for this, I have no idea. If someone did fall for something like this, they kinda deserve to get ripped off in my opinion. It'll teach them a valuable lesson when it comes to being smart with your money.

 

[slisdexia]

or a lesson about being dumb with their money..

 

[peter78]

I have been looking at 4Runners both new and used and I saw a ad 9 days ago at craigslist here in Atlanta. I got a message today. This is a prime example, at least to me, to run away. Remember he posted and said he was in Atlanta. Anyway, here is his e-mail:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi, Sorry for the late response, but because I work in the US Army it's very hard for me to reply faster. I wanted to let you know that the car is still available The *2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 * is located in Minot, North Dakota and it looks like new, it has never been scratched or wrecked. It will come with a clear title, bill of sale signed by me as well and all the papers (including the original manuals and keys) that you will need to register it under your name. It belonged to my father, he was the first and only owner, and after he passed away 1 year ago, he left the car to me, and now I want to sell it because I don't have much use for it and I could use some quick cash right now, rather than waiting for a better offer (selling takes a lot of time too... and time is money). So I'm willing to let it go for *$4,000* and since I only have one car, First come, First served. Although I will not be able to come home and meet with you being in a very important mission, we can still make the deal through eBay. I have a purchase protection program with them, so eBay will guarantee up to $20,000. Shipping is already paid, as I explained, my buyer couldn't pay the car after I have made the arrangements to ship it. The trucking company would not refund me but can ship the car to anywhere within continental US, so I've left it at their warehouse and it's ready to ship at anytime. Also, this purchase protection guarantees that the car is exactly as I described; basically, once delivered, * you'll have 7 days to inspect it at your home and if you decide not to keep it you will get refunded in no time and they will charge me with the return costs.* *If you agree with these terms, please email me your shipping name and address so.As soon as eBay informs me that the down payment has been received, I will have your car shipped.* *Below you will find a few pictures of the car and here is a short description:*2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 ,Mileage 92,600Engine: 6 Cylinder Thanks,Tyler

---------------------------------------------------------------------


Sometimes, I think there is not a honest person buying or selling on craigslist. I know he is mentioning e-bay, but that is new, plus all the other stuff.

So, what do you think, is it a scam???

 

[keylay31]

I have been looking at 4Runners both new and used and I saw a ad 9 days ago at craigslist here in Atlanta. I got a message today. This is a prime example, at least to me, to run away. Remember he posted and said he was in Atlanta. Anyway, here is his e-mail:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi, Sorry for the late response, but because I work in the US Army it's very hard for me to reply faster. I wanted to let you know that the car is still available The *2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 * is located in Minot, North Dakota and it looks like new, it has never been scratched or wrecked. It will come with a clear title, bill of sale signed by me as well and all the papers (including the original manuals and keys) that you will need to register it under your name. It belonged to my father, he was the first and only owner, and after he passed away 1 year ago, he left the car to me, and now I want to sell it because I don't have much use for it and I could use some quick cash right now, rather than waiting for a better offer (selling takes a lot of time too... and time is money). So I'm willing to let it go for *$4,000* and since I only have one car, First come, First served. Although I will not be able to come home and meet with you being in a very important mission, we can still make the deal through eBay. I have a purchase protection program with them, so eBay will guarantee up to $20,000. Shipping is already paid, as I explained, my buyer couldn't pay the car after I have made the arrangements to ship it. The trucking company would not refund me but can ship the car to anywhere within continental US, so I've left it at their warehouse and it's ready to ship at anytime. Also, this purchase protection guarantees that the car is exactly as I described; basically, once delivered, * you'll have 7 days to inspect it at your home and if you decide not to keep it you will get refunded in no time and they will charge me with the return costs.* *If you agree with these terms, please email me your shipping name and address so.As soon as eBay informs me that the down payment has been received, I will have your car shipped.* *Below you will find a few pictures of the car and here is a short description:*2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 ,Mileage 92,600Engine: 6 Cylinder Thanks,Tyler

---------------------------------------------------------------------


Sometimes, I think there is not a honest person buying or selling on craigslist. I know he is mentioning e-bay, but that is new, plus all the other stuff.

So, what do you think, is it a scam???

Sound sketchy to me...
"a very important mission"

 

[Thai]

Sound sketchy to me...
"a very important mission"

I am sure that he is a Navy SEAL/Delta Force member somewhere in Afgan or Iraq...you know, kinda like what most of us pretend to be....