Scamers

[TheViking]

Well, like a couple of other folks on this site with classifieds posted, we were contacted by a person named Artie Tonan about buying our pop-up. After a couple of e-mails he seemed real interested, till he said he was in Portland(Red Flag).  After some research and an e-mail to popups4rent it was verified that he was trying to scam us. So remember that name and beware.

[griffsmom]

Glad you were able to head this one off at the pass!  Just curious Brian-what made you e-mail popups4rent?

[TheViking]

I noticed in the classifieds that he made a comment about receiving a cashiers check for double the amount of what he was selling the camper for. That threw up a flag.  He has even heard of this guy that tried to scam me.

[OC Campers]

This is a huge problem!!!  People over on Popup Explorer are also having a lot of trouble with this.  SELLER BEWARE!!!

Jacqui

[jendak760]

How do you verify if a cashiers check is legit? Call the bank?

[TheViking]

From what I understand the bank doesn't even know till it's deposited and won't fund  from the bank it is drawn on.  So, you cash it, your bank says here's your money, then when it comes time for your bank to collect from the bank it was drawn on they find out the checks were stolen or whatever then they come back to you and say you are responsible.

[Dee4j]

wow it make you go back to the cash only deal ..the people who bought oyrs got a loan from their credit union, which I met him there and got a check directly friom the bank, and the remainder he paid me in cashola.

[TheViking]

wow it make you go back to the cash only deal ..the people who bought oyrs got a loan from their credit union, which I met him there and got a check directly friom the bank, and the remainder he paid me in cashola.

The guy that is supposed to buy mine on Saturday said we can go to the bank to do the transaction.  I'm good with that.

[SkipP]

The way I understand this is that the scammer(s) will "buy" something and then send a bogus cashiers check for an amount greater than the purchase price. The idea being to take the additional sum to pay a brokerage fee, shipping company, etc. To get taken by this, you have to deposit the check and then send the additional money back to the purchaser or a designated address. The money the seller loses is this "overage" because the item for sale is still in the owners posession. The bank has no clue that the check is fake.

I would think a good way to prevent this is to have a "hold" period for the cashiers check to verify that it clears...much like a personal check. If the buyer is legit, they shouldn't have a problem with that.

[Cheryl]

I've been told that the only safe way to do this type of transaction thru the mail is with postal money orders only. They have to be paid for up front and you are guaranteed your money from the post office.
Just my $.02 worth.
Cheryl

[TheViking]

I've been told that the only safe way to do this type of transaction thru the mail is with postal money orders only. They have to be paid for up front and you are guaranteed your money from the post office.
Just my $.02 worth.
Cheryl

Guess again.....

Scam Alert: Fake postal money orders
Dave Cherry
Call 12 for Action
Apr. 4, 2005 06:04 AM


I have a new scam to tell you about. This scam looks a lot like the "fake cashier's check" scam I have told you about many times, only this one uses U.S. postal money orders instead.

The

[startx]

Yep, someone tried to scam us too.  She, or them whatever, had a different name though.  Ours was a Vickie Politte from south carolina.  We had arranged for the funds etc, and they were to be sent to us, but didn't arrive when expected.  I sent an email inquiring, which I was already a little suspicious because of being from out of state, but when she sent back that she needed to send it for extra and for me to give the extra funds to the shipping company driver, I definitely was suspicious.

I sent an email to her telling her such, and never heard a single word back from her.  Imagine that!

You have to call the issuing bank, not your bank to verify funds on a cashier's check, and even they may have to get back to you with the information.  Typically the checks are stolen, or were purchased for a smaller amount, say $50 and then altered to be for a greater amount, like $500 or $5000 etc.

Definitely SELLER BEWARE!