tuxify
New Member
This is what I am planning on doing.
I think you might be right too. I'll see if the check even comes in the first place...
I think I finally got my computer sold!
- Thread starter tuxify
- Start date
This is what I am planning on doing.
I think you might be right too. I'll see if the check even comes in the first place...
tuxify
New Member
I'm pretty sure it is fake. If he does in fact send the check, and the bank validates it, I can't see how it could be. It is pretty suspicious though...
Maybe I should just try to sell it on CraigsList and tell this guy I am not longer interested?
PohTayToez
Active Member
God, not to criticize you tuxify, but I think it's ridiculous how people can get tricked over and over by the same scams. There are seriously only like 2 or 3 good scams out there, and scammer just keep reusing them, maybe dressing them up a bit differently, but essentially doing the same thing over and over to trick people.
The check you will receive will most definitely be a FAKE. Yes, it will clear, yes the bank will give you the money, but when that check leads to a fake account and they figure that out in a few days or a couple of weeks or however long it might take, they will hold YOU responsible for that money, and YOU will be in debt to the bank.
And while you think you might be protected because you might be able to get a phone number and an address for the guy, those don't mean anything. The phone number is one of those $20 pay as you go phones that you can sign up for under any name. And the address? The guy probably has an agreement with someone such that he has packages delivered to their address and picks them up there, and gives them a small cut, but other than that they have nothing to do with the scam. That way, if they're reported, they can just say that the scammer must have stole the package off of their doorstep.
Trust me,
It's a SCAM.
The check you will receive will most definitely be a FAKE. Yes, it will clear, yes the bank will give you the money, but when that check leads to a fake account and they figure that out in a few days or a couple of weeks or however long it might take, they will hold YOU responsible for that money, and YOU will be in debt to the bank.
And while you think you might be protected because you might be able to get a phone number and an address for the guy, those don't mean anything. The phone number is one of those $20 pay as you go phones that you can sign up for under any name. And the address? The guy probably has an agreement with someone such that he has packages delivered to their address and picks them up there, and gives them a small cut, but other than that they have nothing to do with the scam. That way, if they're reported, they can just say that the scammer must have stole the package off of their doorstep.
Trust me,
It's a SCAM.
Trizoy
VIP Member
BUSTED...
If the guy overpays, and has a shipping company (jays overnight shipping) come and pick up the package.. This IS a scam. Nobody pays $1000 for a Laptop.. i mean desktop computer that has been used, with a check. AND has a shipping company pick it up from you locally, when he lives close by (craigslist). This guy is scamming...
You could think about doing something like this...
http://www.newssocket.com/features/article/231/
If the guy overpays, and has a shipping company (jays overnight shipping) come and pick up the package.. This IS a scam. Nobody pays $1000 for a Laptop.. i mean desktop computer that has been used, with a check. AND has a shipping company pick it up from you locally, when he lives close by (craigslist). This guy is scamming...
You could think about doing something like this...
http://www.newssocket.com/features/article/231/
Geoff
VIP Member
That is exactly what happened to this guy here: http://www.computerforum.com/104911-i-think-somebody-trying-scam-my-mom.html
He will send you more money then it cost, in hopes of getting some money back.
Thats what I would do, although I would ask various banks as well to ensure it's valid, and ask what would happen if it was a fraud.
BTW, do you know where the computer is getting shipped to?
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PohTayToez
Active Member
Different type of scam... I remember reading that one some time ago. That scam has to do the final target being the item, while this one is aimed at scamming money.
I originally skimmed through too quick, I didn't even see the part about the 3rd party shipper... that's a red light when it comes to scams.
[-0MEGA-];835321 said:
That's exactly what I would do too, Tuxify. Talk to a manager at the bank. Describe, in detail, your situation. If there's any possiblity that you could be held liable (for any wrongs committed by the buyer), it would be best that you wait to sell the computer to someone that is more legitimate.
Good Luck!
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PohTayToez
Active Member
That's exactly what I would do too, Tuxify. Talk to a manager at the bank. Describe, in detail, your situation. If there's any possiblity that you could be held liable (for any wrongs committed by the buyer), it would be best that you wait to sell the computer to someone that is more legitimate.
Good Luck!
There's really no question about it, this scam happens all the time, and the victim is always liable for every penny.
As for what to do, it doesn't really matter, as long as you don't send him the money. If you reply with hostility then he'll know you've figured it out, or maybe he'll think you've been playing him along, and he'll just go on to the next person. If you reply calmly and still say you know it's a scam it'll be the same result.
tlarkin
VIP Member
If it is a scam, call the police and file a report. There could already be warrants out for this person's arrest if they are out scamming people. If it sounds too good to be true, it always is. I have had people try to scam me off of ebay before (and half.com) and I always got around it by saying I only accept paypal or cashiers checks and I don't ship until the money is in my account.
You can always have your bank check on these things as a free service, and I use it when I needed to.
I used to sell all sorts of computer parts and software on ebay several years back. I had people email me and say they will just send me the money directly, whats my address and things like that. All of those are scams.
You can always have your bank check on these things as a free service, and I use it when I needed to.
I used to sell all sorts of computer parts and software on ebay several years back. I had people email me and say they will just send me the money directly, whats my address and things like that. All of those are scams.
PohTayToez
Active Member
Reporting to the police won't do a thing... all of the guy's information will be fake and near impossible to trace, and it's not worth the investment they'd have to put in to catch him. I get people trying to scam me nearly every day, the only thing you can really do is either ignore it or bait them and make them waste their time.
tlarkin
VIP Member
No, it could actually help. If said con artist were operating under several different aliases, they may have a file on that person. You'd be surprised what one police report could actually do. My parents own commercial property in the city. They filed a police report about some bums loitering or something. Turned out the guy had like 4 warrants out for him, and they had no way of really tracking a homeless person.
It may not help that much, but it at least puts a paper trail on that alias. Sooner or later they may go back to that alias and get busted. Not all criminals are super smart. I mean our prison population grows more and more every day.
Geoff
VIP Member
Of course if the check is fake then it wouldn't really matter.
If you want to have a little fun, send him an empty box filled with useless crap instead
