Journal nocomment's Journal: I'm in the process of getting scammed 14
A few weeks ago I bought a old jeep cj7. I took the hard top off because it's hotter 'n hell out. I decided while the top was crushing my skull, fusing my spine, and otherwise shortening my body and lifespan that I never want to put the thing back on.
So off to craigslist I went to attempt to hock it there and get some of the money needed to get a fancy-pants new softtop.
I put it on there for $700 fully expecting to be negotiated down to $500 (for the top and doors). I get an email from some guy who wants to mail me a certified cheque for the $3500, enough for the $700 I'm asking and the cost of a mover to pick it up. OK now I'm suspicious. Really REALLY suspicious. I'm convinced it's a scam. The guy has my address because I thought he would want to come look at it (he didn't seem to want to, he'd essentially be 'buying' sight unseen).
So, I have a few options.
1> call the bank the check is drafted on and ask.
2> drop the check off with the police as soon as it arrives (or FBI if crosses state lines (is that how that works?))
3> play with they guy and see what I can make him do.
I can guarantee you that top is NOT getting on a moving truck of any kind -- unless for some strangely odd reason #1 pans out and the banks says it's valid (which is extremely unlikely).
What would you guys do?
email back: SOLD for $3500!! (Score:1)
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As long as I alert the bank to the potential mischief going on I should be in the clear right? as long as I don't spend it of course.
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Its easy to forge a certified check. This is a scam. All that's going to happen is your bank will ding you for the full $3,500, and the guy gets a free top + the money for "moving expenses". The scammer is both the buyer and the mover. Get him to come over, have a bunch of friends around with cameras, and post his sorry ass on youtube.
Also call the cops. Since the check is a fake, and over a grand, he's looking at felony charges.
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No, I don't think so. So you walk into a bank with a check that you KNOW to be either fraudulent or from a person who's identity was stolen. You then ask the bank if it is OK to deposit that check and gosh darn it you are going to be honest and everything.
They see that stuff every day from criminals. They can't tell the difference between you and them. How will they be able to tell the difference between your
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The cheque is certainly bogus. You know that. So to attempt to deposit it is a felony.
As long as I alert the bank to the potential mischief going on I should be in the clear right?
If you adequately explain the situation to the bank, they will not accept the cheque.
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They may also ask for their money back minus the overpayment amount after the check clears. A check can clear your bank because they are in a hurry to tell you the money is there, but when the funds don't show up you are out the money you sent them. Very c
#2 (Score:2)
There are a number of ways that this could be a scam, but at the root of it all the cheque will be no good for some reason or another.
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You can tell the person that they can have the item for $700 cash, paid and picked up in person. If it's worth $3500 to them then they can easily legitimately arrange to have the cash delivered* and for the movers to pick it.
*or wired
So, uh, what happened? (Score:2)
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