Possible Scammers Working On PUT

[kimrb266]

BEWARE
We are advertising to sell our 05 Niagara on both Popup Times and Explorer.  We received an E-mail stating that they were interested in purchasing it and began the negotiations.  I had a funny feeling when I got the original E-mail but wanted to play it through in case it was legit.  Yesterday, we stated our terms of payment and was anxious for their answer.   Well, today they told us that his accountant had already cut a check for more than what we agreed upon so he'd mail us the check and that we should wire back the difference.  Not only that, he stated that he was going to be out of the country in Switzerland next week. That's not it.   DUH, do I have STUPID written on my forehead.  Needless to say, we didnt' do what he asked.
 
This is just a warning for those of you advertising your PUP on the classifieds; the people you are dealing with may be scammers.
 
The sad thing is that alot of people fall for this and end up being out of alot of money.

[wavery]

BEWARE
We are advertising to sell our 05 Niagara on both Popup Times and Explorer.  We received an E-mail stating that they were interested in purchasing it and began the negotiations.  I had a funny feeling when I got the original E-mail but wanted to play it through in case it was legit.  Yesterday, we stated our terms of payment and was anxious for their answer.   Well, today they told us that his accountant had already cut a check for more than what we agreed upon so he'd mail us the check and that we should wire back the difference.  Not only that, he stated that he was going to be out of the country in Switzerland next week. That's not it.   DUH, do I have STUPID written on my forehead.  Needless to say, we didnt' do what he asked.
 
This is just a warning for those of you advertising your PUP on the classifieds; the people you are dealing with may be scammers.
 
The sad thing is that alot of people fall for this and end up being out of alot of money.

It actually gets worse than that.

These vultures work off of greed and trust, at the same time. They are capable of generating cashiers checks that are so convincing that you can hand carry them to the bank and a teller will accept it and credit your account immediately. About 2 weeks later, you will get a notice in the mail telling you that the check is fraudulent and your account has been debited for the amount plus fees.

It's really a shame that we can't even trust cashiers checks any longer. Cash is even questionable. It seems that PayPal and other electronic payments may be the wave of the future.

In reality, the government and IRS has been in favor of a cashless society for some time. The ideal would be for every person to have a bank account. All payments would be electronically received into that account and all charges charged to that account. That would eliminate money laundering, tax evasion, drug dealing and so much other illegal activity. The government and IRS would be able to track our every financial transaction. If you are an honest person that doesn't mind paying their fare share, this system is no problem. If you the type of person that likes their "Privacy" for whatever reason, it could be problematic.

The bottom line is, that type of system would change the way that we live to some extent but it would also make sure that everyone's financial transactions are traceable and everyone pays their fair share. That's why this type of system is so slow to develop. The rich are the ones that have the most to lose by keeping all transactions traceable, auditable and honest.

[griffsmom]

This particular scam has been occurring for years.  I remember a number of years ago someone here at PUT posted the same scam being tried on them.  I bet if you did a search you could still find the posts, although by now, they might be in the archives.

 
Thanks for reminding us all to be careful out there.

[AustinBoston]

In reality, the government and IRS has been in favor of a cashless society for some time. The ideal would be for every person to have a bank account. All payments would be electronically received into that account and all charges charged to that account. That would eliminate money laundering, tax evasion, drug dealing and so much other illegal activity. The government and IRS would be able to track our every financial transaction. If you are an honest person that doesn't mind paying their fare share, this system is no problem. If you the type of person that likes their "Privacy" for whatever reason, it could be problematic.

The bottom line is, that type of system would change the way that we live to some extent but it would also make sure that everyone's financial transactions are traceable and everyone pays their fair share. That's why this type of system is so slow to develop. The rich are the ones that have the most to lose by keeping all transactions traceable, auditable and honest.

Actually, there is absolutely nothing that can be done to prevent fraud.  If we went to a cashless/checkless society, there would still be a black market for identity theft information.  You would not be able to pay in cash (or any other form of money), but once obtained, you could make all the purchases possible on the account in question.

I have heard that tying the account to a tattoo bar code or under-skin implant would stop that, but then there would be a black market for made-up tattoos (my own would be just under the makeup, yours would be the makeup) or fake or stolen implants.

In the end, the only way to end human greed and theft is to end human nature.

Austin

[griffsmom]

I have heard that tying the account to a tattoo bar code or under-skin implant would stop that, but then there would be a black market for made-up tattoos (my own would be just under the makeup, yours would be the makeup) or fake or stolen implants.

I would never agree to be tatooed or implanted with a bar code--too scary "End Times" for me.
 

In the end, the only way to end human greed and theft is to end human nature.

That's the God's-honest Truth, AB.

[kimrb266]

The funny thing is when I 1st saw the E-mail, I felt funny about it but followed through on it.  What was odd to me was that it came directly to me and not through  PUT or PUE,.  I asked how they heard of our classifieds add and they said it was through an add on-line.  He stated that he was in Salem, OR and I asked wouldn't it be more cost effective to purchase in his own area.  He followed up saying that he was a trailer wholesaler/reseller and that's why he could purchase out of state.   Still thinking something was up, I continued to  play his game and when he offered $11,000 for our trailer, I knew for sure this wasn't right.  We kept negotiating and came to a price and asked myself why would he buy our trailer for over $11,000, "have his driver" get it back to Salem, check it out/prep and resell for let say $12,000.  Doesn't make sense.  

It makes me angry that people can be so bad and not care about what they do to people.  How were they raised?  I'm sure their families aren't proud of what they are doing.  Would they like this done to their parents or family, I think not.  They will pay for what hhey are doing in the end.
 
You reap what you sow.

[GemmySan]

Here is one lady's webpage who has been scamming the scammers.
 
 Fantastic reading...

[NCSunshine]

Happened to me last year, I even let it go as far as letting them send the check.  They sent it registered and I never picked it up.  They emailed a couple times after to see if I had gotten the check, but I never responded.  Of course, I knew what was going on I just wanted to make them do a little work for their efforts.

[AustinBoston]

Here is one lady's webpage who has been scamming the scammers.
 
 Fantastic reading...

That is one cool site.  I have found it a joy to read how she leads them along...I especially like the secret answer...WHAT kind of oysters???  :eek:

Austin

[wavery]

DW and I laughed all evening reading those "scam-the-scamers".

I can hardly wait to get another one of those letters. I usually just ignore them. Now I'll have some real fun. :-()  :-()  :J  :U

Whenever we get those junk credit card offers in the mail, we fill the return envelope with trash paper and put it in the mail. I can't stand junk mail. The post office makes a little money and it sends a message to the banks etc. This will even be more fun.

I think I'll put my car up for sale on Recycler.com. Both cars that I sold got one of those letters.

[AustinBoston]

I think I'll put my car up for sale on Recycler.com. Both cars that I sold got one of those letters.

I wonder what kind of squirming they would do if you said "I heard of people not getting their money via Western Union.  I will send you a bank check because it's safer for both of us."

Austin

[kimrb266]

I'm getting tired of the scammers.  We got another e-mail today from another scammer and when I saw it, I got a funny feeling and thinking not again.  I'm getting to the point that I may not believe someone who is actually interested in our trailer.  I'm cancelling our add on PUE where I think they are seeing our add.

[griffsmom]

Here is one lady's webpage who has been scamming the scammers.
 
Fantastic reading...

Wow, what a hoot!  Danielle is my new hero.  I would never have been as shrewd and creative as she was in dealing with the scammers, let alone even have the time or energy she has in dealing with them!

[BuxCamper]

A couple of similar discussions are going on on PUX about what is the safest payment by check method, how PUX can better secure the classified section to scare away the scammers and about somebody whose tried to scam four or five people on PUX.  

In summary none, "Cash is king!"

I had one on my Sedona but the first e-mail produced a red-flag and the second produced 3 more.  I said cash and due to PA title requirements I could not use a shipping agent.  Didn't hear anything after that.

-- Mark