 timcuthBraves FanPremium
join:2000-09-18
Pelham, AL
 ·AT&T Southeast
| Probable scam, how to deal with? I believe I have detected a scam being attempted on my son. He offered an item for sale on Craig's List and got a quick response from someone who offered to buy it for the asking price and asked no questions about the item. He said he would send a check and for my son to wait until it cleared, then ship the item.
Then, instead of the agreed price of $125, the man sent him a check for $1750. Before the check arrived, he emailed my son saying he realized his "mistake" and asked my son to deposit the check and write him a check for the difference. I am almost 100% certain this is a scam and told my son to return the man's check and have nothing more to do with him.
However, I am wondering whether I should tell my son to take it to the bank and report it as suspected fraud? Maybe this would help prevent others from being scammed in the future. I know that would be the right thing to do, but as the man knows my son's name and address, I fear there could be reprisals in the future. "No good deed goes unpunished."
What do you think?
Tim
--
"Life is like this long line, except at the end there ain't no merry-go-round." - Arthur on The King of Queens
~ Project Hope ~ |
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 jjoshuaPremium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ
kudos:3 | Tell the man that his check will be ripped up. He can send a new check for the correct amount.
You'll never hear from them again.
The name and address on the check are probably forged. |
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 donoreoPremium
join:2002-05-30
North York, ON | reply to timcuth
Totally a scam. Tear up the cheque. |
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 John GaltForward, MarchPremium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
kudos:5
1 edit | reply to timcuth
Take it to the bank...and let them know it is a scam. |
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 GbcueP.E.Premium
join:2001-09-30
Santa Rosa, CA
kudos:8 | Take it to the limit... |
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 AVDRespice, Adspice, ProspicePremium
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ
kudos:1 | take the bus to prison... |
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 J E F FWhatta Ya Think About Dat?Premium
join:2004-04-01
Kitchener, ON
kudos:1 | reply to Gbcue
How do we know that this scammer isn't the same guy that owes you $500? Hmmm..interesting. |
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 dogmaXYZPremium
join:2002-08-15
Boulder City, NV
kudos:1 | reply to AVD
Re: Probable scam, how to deal with? said by AVD:take the bus to prison...
...where you'll wind up taking it up the arse.
This is a very common scam. You guys are absolutely dealing with a criminal because no legitimate person would ever do that. donoreo  is correct, destroy the check, email him via craigslist that the item has been sold, check shredded for his protection but he should put a stop payment on it, and under no circumstances ever communicate with him again. |
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 The PigI know you want to be mePremium
join:2009-09-11 | reply to timcuth
SCAM |
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| reply to timcuth
I think you should send me the difference and I will assume the risk and return it to the sender. |
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 JohnnyPremium
join:2001-06-27
Atlanta, GA
kudos:2 | reply to timcuth
This explains why these scammers continue. If you actually think that this could be anything other than the classic "refund me the difference" scam, you are in some sort of denial state.
I hope your son did not deposit the bogus check - that can actually bring felony charges. |
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 LazManPremium
join:2003-03-26
canada | reply to timcuth
Did he mail the check to your son?
If so, maybe talk to your local postmaster - postal fraud is taken VERY seriously... |
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donoreoPremium
join:2002-05-30
North York, ON | said by LazMan:Did he mail the check to your son?
If so, maybe talk to your local postmaster - postal fraud is taken VERY seriously...
Oh yeah, attempting to commit fraud using the post office. |
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timcuthBraves FanPremium
join:2000-09-18
Pelham, AL Reviews:
·AT&T Southeast
| reply to Anon
No, I am not asking whether he is a scammer. Read the OP. I am asking whether we should get rid of the check and otherwise leave him alone, or take it to the bank and report him as a probable fraud.
Tim
--
"Life is like this long line, except at the end there ain't no merry-go-round." - Arthur on The King of Queens
~ Project Hope ~ |
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timcuthBraves FanPremium
join:2000-09-18
Pelham, AL Reviews:
·AT&T Southeast
| reply to Johnny
said by Johnny:This explains why these scammers continue. If you actually think that this could be anything other than the classic "refund me the difference" scam, you are in some sort of denial state.
Nobody seems to understand my question.  Let it go or report him as a fraud?
Tim
--
"Life is like this long line, except at the end there ain't no merry-go-round." - Arthur on The King of Queens
~ Project Hope ~ |
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 SoberJust Say NoPremium
join:2003-02-24
Crack House | reply to timcuth
Report it if you want, but this scammer most likely is located in Nigeria, and there is little they could do.
The scammer is also doing this with 100s of people so being able to draw it back to your son for repercussion is pretty slim. |
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 JRW2R.I.P. Mom, Brian, Ziggy, Max and Zen.Premium
join:2004-12-20
La La Land
kudos:5
 ·Optimum Online
| reply to timcuth
Take the check to your local police, I assume you have an address to send the additional funds to and not a PO box.
This should allow the police to capture the person...
Assuming they want to do their jobs...
--
Politics is a disease, we need a cure!
In constant search for intelligent life on Earth! |
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SoberJust Say NoPremium
join:2003-02-24
Crack House | reply to timcuth
Local police are going to be able to do very little. |
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 Ray422Premium,MVM
join:2002-03-04
Lost
kudos:11 | reply to timcuth
Is the post-office better ?
Why not notify the FBI ?
You'll probably never hear from either one.
Doesn't the government lose everything in it's own paperwork anyway? |
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