Possible fraud from classifieds

[Cherokee Scout]

Just to keep you informed, here is a rather suspicious looking email I received about my Bear limbs advertised on the classifieds.
In actual email it looks like it was typed by 2 different fonts, with blanks left for this person to type in the item (weight and length of the limbs). They also have the price incorrect.
Be careful guys and gals.

Good day,
I read your advert online that you are selling .Limbs  53# 56"..,am interested and ill be paying via $250 via certified check or Money Order,i base in HAWAII ,get back to me with details if you are satisfy with my mode of payment,thanks.

[whipbow]

I had the very same email two days ago. It was on another site though.  Same exact wording just different for sale item. Glad I didn't respond
Carl

[Wannabe1]

If they are paying by Certified check or Money Order, just don't ship 'til they arrive and clear your bank.

Let the Mods/Admin folk know so they can investigate on their end. Thanks for the heads up also.  

[Night Wing]

Smells (sniff, sniff)  

[B/W lvr]

Don't even waste your time. Just block the sender and get on with your life. Frank

[Shawn Leonard]

I would answer, if they send a M.O. or certified check what the big deal. Get it first cash it and than send the limbs. I believe everyone is a bit too paranoid. If they asked you to send them first or too a third party I would be suspicious. Shawn

[seabass]

get the money first,steve

[Flying Dogg]

Be carefull as a certified check or money order can be cancelled before it is cleared. Be sure to get clearance in writing before sending something out.

[Brently]

Sounds like a scam to me.  When the english is poor and the structure dosn't flow I would be leery.

[JamesV]

here's a twist, get the money first then keep the limbs......LOL..........Just couldn't helpmyself

[DEATHMASTER]

Looks like I put JamesV on my ???? list to deal with.

[Cocklebur]

I received the exact same e-mail today from an add on AT. I just said thanks but no thanks.

[MnFn]

I agree with Shawn.  BTW, USPS Money Orders can not be cancelled. Just take it to the Post Office, and they will verify if it is fake before they cash it. That would be my only concern.

[raideranch]

This is one I got today about a bow I didn’t even have for sale.


Good day,
I read your advert online that you are selling ..Super Shrew Deluxe 58" RH 53.,am interested and ill be paying via $400 via certified check or Money Order,i base in HAWAII ,get back to me with details if you are satisfy with my mode of payment,thanks.

Sorry but that wasn’t me.  I was selling a Great Plains.

sorry it was an error am interestes in ur great plains i have emailed you twice and it returns so what is ur best selling price and also pics of the plains

Sorry but I don't do scams.  Better luck with the next guy.


They will send you a fake check, M.O., whatever and then it will bounce in your account once its too late.  I would not do any business with emails like this.  They always claim to be somewhere besides the lower 48 and use bad grammar in the emails to make it look like they are foreign.

[raideranch]

And the fake payments they send you look very realistic.

[stik&string]

The problem is that many money orders and certified checks can be made cheaply and easily that fakes are common. The unfortunate part of this is the money order or check will clear your bank then it will come back NSF sometimes months later and you are responsible for the fees accrued.
If it doesn't feel right it probably isn't, just this month alone I investigated 3 such scams used on elderly people using the list site and it makes my blood boil when the unsuspecting are taken advantage of.

[McDave]

I received a certified check for an item I sold, and asked my bank how long I had to wait, not just for the item to clear my bank, but to clear the issuing bank.  My bank said the issuing bank had 30 days to dishonor the check, and after that time, it was too late to return it to my bank.

I'm not a lawyer or a banker, so you can't take my word for it, but ask your own bank and see what they say.

[stik&string]

Also the laws and therefore the protection varies from state to state.

[Hud]

I would accept a USPS Money Order, would not take a bank certified check, bank cashier check, or personal check. The first he buys with cash, the second, the bank certifies his check and puts a hold on the funds, the last can be returned a month after you shipped and be charged back to your account.

[Rob DiStefano]

yes, do be careful.