Post by thread:[OT] Car buying scam

So, I think someone is trying to scam me out of some cash. I've been trying to sell my car online for a few months now (okay, 8 months) and last night I got a TTY relay call from a (putatively) deaf person claiming interest in the car. They asked me to e-mail, which I did, and I got a response back asking for my address, phone, full name, etc., and tell me that they'll be sending a check for purchase price, plus $200, plus the cost of "shipping", and I will pay the shipping company and then the shipper will come pick the car up. I'm dubious. I'm willing to give them a little leeway, but I'm pretty sure it's a scam. It sounds a lot like this: http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Scam/ I may just string them along a bit. I could use my work address and have them send the check here, and they obviously already have my phone number. I think the whole deaf thing was just to incur sympathy, provide an explanation for not dealing with me directly, and mask their origin phone number (after all, I'm sure the relay organization considers that private information that they will not share). However, the fact of their calling and using relay means that they are probably here in the States, if not inside Minnesota, so if I can string this out and get them sending me a counterfeit check, I can probably get them arrested. I like that thought. Mike H. PS- anyone wanna buy a car? http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/534535539.html COMPLETE TEXT OF E-MAILS FOLLOWS- just for fun. I'm sorry, but the details of this transaction seem a little odd to me. Can you please explain a little more exactly what you intend to happen? As I understand it, you are proposing to send me a check for the purchase price of the car, plus shipping and handling, and then I send the shipping and handling fee to a third party who will come get the car. I would prefer it if you would pay the shipper directly, but I would be willing to remit to the shipper upon pickup provided you allow my bank sufficient time to verify the means of payment. Please let me know how you would like to proceed. Thanks! Mike On Jan 14, 2008 6:20 PM, Scam Buyer <spam_OUTscammerTakeThisOuTnigeria.com> wrote: {Quote hidden}> Hello, > > Thanks very much for your email,you have to bear with me as I have > hearing problems.this is to make final reconfirmation of the car ,and also > to let you know that payment will be,certified USPS (United States Postal > Service)or check and also want to alert you on the fact that you will be > receiving the (check/money order) this WEEK OR NEXT ,which will cover the > money for the (pickup)and shipping as well as the money to be paid to the > person that will take care of the pickup with you. So please,as soon as you > receive the (check/money order),cash it immediately, > and send the remaining balance to the shipper in Immediately so that the > shipper could arrange for the pickup.. > I will pay you an extra $200 if you reserve this for me. > S o in view of the above, here are some of the details I will need for > final issuance of the (check/money order) to you. > > 1) Full Name... > (2) Your physical mailing address.... > (3) your direct telephone number... > (4) acceptance of my offer.. > (5) final price... > > After which i will give you the details of my shipper. > once the above information is given you will be issue. > Hope to hear from you immediately > > Regard > > > >> Mike Hord <.....mike.hordKILLspam@spam@gmail.com> wrote: >> Hello- >> >> You just called about my Jetta. I do still have it, and I'm asking >> $11,000 for it. >> >> If you'd like to come take a look, just let me know when and we'll >> work something out. I check my e-mail fairly frequently during the >> day, less so in the evenings. >> >> Just let me know! >> >> Mike

> -----Original Message----- > From: piclist-bouncesKILLspammit.edu [.....piclist-bouncesKILLspam.....mit.edu] On Behalf {Quote hidden}> Of Mike Hord > Sent: 15 January 2008 14:34 > To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. > Subject: [OT] Car buying scam > > So, I think someone is trying to scam me out of some cash. > > I've been trying to sell my car online for a few months now > (okay, 8 months) and last night I got a TTY relay call from a > (putatively) deaf person claiming interest in the car. They > asked me to e-mail, which I did, and I got a response back > asking for my address, phone, full name, etc., and tell me > that they'll be sending a check for purchase price, plus > $200, plus the cost of "shipping", and I will pay the shipping > company and then the shipper will come pick the car up. This is a grade A, 100% pure SCAM. Do not touch it. This is now one of the most frequent scams perpetrated on high value items such as cars, and unfortunately many people have fallen for this. The check will be fraudulent and (almost unbelievably in this day and age) it will appear to clear only to bounce some time later. You will find the seller is in a big hurry to complete the transaction after sending you the check. Regards Mike ======================================================================= This e-mail is intended for the person it is addressed to only. The information contained in it may be confidential and/or protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you must not make any use of this information, or copy or show it to any person. Please contact us immediately to tell us that you have received this e-mail, and return the original to us. Any use, forwarding, printing or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. No part of this message can be considered a request for goods or services. =======================================================================

{Quote hidden}> > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: EraseMEpiclist-bouncesspam_OUTTakeThisOuTmit.edu [piclist-bouncesspam_OUTmit.edu] On > Behalf >> Of Mike Hord >> Sent: 15 January 2008 14:34 >> To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. >> Subject: [OT] Car buying scam >> >> So, I think someone is trying to scam me out of some cash. >> >> I've been trying to sell my car online for a few months now >> (okay, 8 months) and last night I got a TTY relay call from a >> (putatively) deaf person claiming interest in the car. They >> asked me to e-mail, which I did, and I got a response back >> asking for my address, phone, full name, etc., and tell me >> that they'll be sending a check for purchase price, plus >> $200, plus the cost of "shipping", and I will pay the shipping >> company and then the shipper will come pick the car up. > > This is a grade A, 100% pure SCAM. Do not touch it. > > This is now one of the most frequent scams perpetrated on high value > items such as cars, and unfortunately many people have fallen for this. > The check will be fraudulent and (almost unbelievably in this day and > age) it will appear to clear only to bounce some time later. You will > find the seller is in a big hurry to complete the transaction after > sending you the check. > > Regards > > Mike I had the same thing happen when advertising a used car on Craigs List. The "buyer" said she wanted to buy it for her brother, and don't worry about shipping, she'll cover it. The phone number she gave was for Maryland, and I'm in California. I replied that it was not really practical to ship a $1,000 car to Maryland. Never heard from her again. I did sell the car to someone local who found it in the local newspaper. The car was advertised on Craigs List, ZZ-Star (a local commercial site), and the newspaper. The old low tech newspaper is what came through. Harold -- FCC Rules Updated Daily at http://www.hallikainen.com - Advertising opportunities available!

On Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 10:26:42AM -0500, peter green wrote: > > > This is now one of the most frequent scams perpetrated on high value > > items such as cars, and unfortunately many people have fallen for this. > > The check will be fraudulent and (almost unbelievably in this day and > > age) it will appear to clear only to bounce some time later. You will > > find the seller is in a big hurry to complete the transaction after > > sending you the check. > > > Looks like the real problem is the banks don't tell people (or at least > hide in the fine print) that they will be held responsible if the > cashiers check is found to be fraudulent and that the check may only be > found to be fraudulent some time after it appears to have cleared. That fine print frankly sucks. Once the cash hits your account, then the bank should be on the hook for the transaction. Otherwise they need to hold the check until it actually clears. But it seems the easiest way to get rid of the riffraff is to indicate to them that your bank institutes a 20 business day hold for any non local transaction to ensure that the check clears completely. That should run them off just as effectively as turning on the light on cockroaches. Trust in today's world is a truly elusive concept. BAJ

It's very, very likely a scam. Tell them you will only accept a cashier's check from a nationally recognized bank that also has a branch in your area. They will run away faster than you can say 'boo'. Also, keep in mind that TTY services are NOT restricted to US use. There are internet to TTY services (free) that will allow someone anywhere on the internet to use the US TTY service to call someone. All funded by our taxes, of course. They are supposed to be restricted. The TTY portion of the scam is very common for this type of check fraud scam. I have a few deaf friends, and I would not want it any other way, but every public good can and will be abused. -Adam On 1/15/08, Mike Hord <@spam@mike.hordKILLspamgmail.com> wrote: {Quote hidden}> So, I think someone is trying to scam me out of some cash. > > I've been trying to sell my car online for a few months now > (okay, 8 months) and last night I got a TTY relay call from a > (putatively) deaf person claiming interest in the car. They > asked me to e-mail, which I did, and I got a response back > asking for my address, phone, full name, etc., and tell me > that they'll be sending a check for purchase price, plus > $200, plus the cost of "shipping", and I will pay the shipping > company and then the shipper will come pick the car up. > > I'm dubious. I'm willing to give them a little leeway, but I'm > pretty sure it's a scam. It sounds a lot like this: > http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Scam/ > > I may just string them along a bit. I could use my work > address and have them send the check here, and they > obviously already have my phone number. I think the whole > deaf thing was just to incur sympathy, provide an explanation > for not dealing with me directly, and mask their origin phone > number (after all, I'm sure the relay organization considers > that private information that they will not share). > > However, the fact of their calling and using relay means that > they are probably here in the States, if not inside Minnesota, > so if I can string this out and get them sending me a > counterfeit check, I can probably get them arrested. > > I like that thought. > > Mike H. > > PS- anyone wanna buy a car? > http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/534535539.html > > > COMPLETE TEXT OF E-MAILS FOLLOWS- just for fun. > > I'm sorry, but the details of this transaction seem a little odd to me. > > Can you please explain a little more exactly what you intend to happen? > As I understand it, you are proposing to send me a check for the > purchase price of the car, plus shipping and handling, and then I send > the shipping and handling fee to a third party who will come get the > car. I would prefer it if you would pay the shipper directly, but I would > be willing to remit to the shipper upon pickup provided you allow my > bank sufficient time to verify the means of payment. > > Please let me know how you would like to proceed. Thanks! > > Mike > > On Jan 14, 2008 6:20 PM, Scam Buyer <KILLspamscammerKILLspamnigeria.com> wrote: > > Hello, > > > > Thanks very much for your email,you have to bear with me as I have > > hearing problems.this is to make final reconfirmation of the car ,and also > > to let you know that payment will be,certified USPS (United States Postal > > Service)or check and also want to alert you on the fact that you will be > > receiving the (check/money order) this WEEK OR NEXT ,which will cover the > > money for the (pickup)and shipping as well as the money to be paid to the > > person that will take care of the pickup with you. So please,as soon as you > > receive the (check/money order),cash it immediately, > > and send the remaining balance to the shipper in Immediately so that the > > shipper could arrange for the pickup.. > > I will pay you an extra $200 if you reserve this for me. > > S o in view of the above, here are some of the details I will need for > > final issuance of the (check/money order) to you. > > > > 1) Full Name... > > (2) Your physical mailing address.... > > (3) your direct telephone number... > > (4) acceptance of my offer.. > > (5) final price... > > > > After which i will give you the details of my shipper. > > once the above information is given you will be issue. > > Hope to hear from you immediately > > > > Regard > > > > > > > >> Mike Hord <RemoveMEmike.hordTakeThisOuTgmail.com> wrote: > >> Hello- > >> > >> You just called about my Jetta. I do still have it, and I'm asking > >> $11,000 for it. > >> > >> If you'd like to come take a look, just let me know when and we'll > >> work something out. I check my e-mail fairly frequently during the > >> day, less so in the evenings. > >> > >> Just let me know! > >> > >> Mike > -

Quoting "M. Adam Davis" <spamBeGonestienmanspamBeGonegmail.com>: > It's very, very likely a scam. > > Tell them you will only accept a cashier's check from a nationally > recognized bank that also has a branch in your area. > > They will run away faster than you can say 'boo'. > > Also, keep in mind that TTY services are NOT restricted to US use. > There are internet to TTY services (free) that will allow someone > anywhere on the internet to use the US TTY service to call someone. > All funded by our taxes, of course. They are supposed to be > restricted. The TTY portion of the scam is very common for this type > of check fraud scam. > > I have a few deaf friends, and I would not want it any other way, but > every public good can and will be abused. > > -Adam The English in the message is not quite idiomatic American English-- it more resembles the wording the 409 scammers use. My guess is that the "shipper" payment address will turn out to be a Western Union thing and that's where the scam is... you'd be left with the car, but out the "shipping" fee, which would end up (probably) in Nigeria. Why don't you take it the next step and see what happens? ;-) Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" TakeThisOuTs...EraseMEspam_OUTinterlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

These scammers are clever..they can counterfiet cashiers checks, money orders, etc. cash or escrow is the only way to go for something like this. I was scammed once. It was only a few hundred dollars, he was from Canada. He didnt think I would chase him but I did....mounties....ex-girlfriend.....landlord. I pretty much made him pick up and move out overnight. Didnt get my money back...but did get some satisfaction I made his life miserable for a short while. "M. Adam Davis" <RemoveMEstienmanTakeThisOuTgmail.com> wrote: It's very, very likely a scam. Tell them you will only accept a cashier's check from a nationally recognized bank that also has a branch in your area. They will run away faster than you can say 'boo'. Also, keep in mind that TTY services are NOT restricted to US use. There are internet to TTY services (free) that will allow someone anywhere on the internet to use the US TTY service to call someone. All funded by our taxes, of course. They are supposed to be restricted. The TTY portion of the scam is very common for this type of check fraud scam. I have a few deaf friends, and I would not want it any other way, but every public good can and will be abused. -Adam On 1/15/08, Mike Hord wrote: {Quote hidden}> So, I think someone is trying to scam me out of some cash. > > I've been trying to sell my car online for a few months now > (okay, 8 months) and last night I got a TTY relay call from a > (putatively) deaf person claiming interest in the car. They > asked me to e-mail, which I did, and I got a response back > asking for my address, phone, full name, etc., and tell me > that they'll be sending a check for purchase price, plus > $200, plus the cost of "shipping", and I will pay the shipping > company and then the shipper will come pick the car up. > > I'm dubious. I'm willing to give them a little leeway, but I'm > pretty sure it's a scam. It sounds a lot like this: > http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Scam/ > > I may just string them along a bit. I could use my work > address and have them send the check here, and they > obviously already have my phone number. I think the whole > deaf thing was just to incur sympathy, provide an explanation > for not dealing with me directly, and mask their origin phone > number (after all, I'm sure the relay organization considers > that private information that they will not share). > > However, the fact of their calling and using relay means that > they are probably here in the States, if not inside Minnesota, > so if I can string this out and get them sending me a > counterfeit check, I can probably get them arrested. > > I like that thought. > > Mike H. > > PS- anyone wanna buy a car? > http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/534535539.html > > > COMPLETE TEXT OF E-MAILS FOLLOWS- just for fun. > > I'm sorry, but the details of this transaction seem a little odd to me. > > Can you please explain a little more exactly what you intend to happen? > As I understand it, you are proposing to send me a check for the > purchase price of the car, plus shipping and handling, and then I send > the shipping and handling fee to a third party who will come get the > car. I would prefer it if you would pay the shipper directly, but I would > be willing to remit to the shipper upon pickup provided you allow my > bank sufficient time to verify the means of payment. > > Please let me know how you would like to proceed. Thanks! > > Mike > > On Jan 14, 2008 6:20 PM, Scam Buyer wrote: > > Hello, > > > > Thanks very much for your email,you have to bear with me as I have > > hearing problems.this is to make final reconfirmation of the car ,and also > > to let you know that payment will be,certified USPS (United States Postal > > Service)or check and also want to alert you on the fact that you will be > > receiving the (check/money order) this WEEK OR NEXT ,which will cover the > > money for the (pickup)and shipping as well as the money to be paid to the > > person that will take care of the pickup with you. So please,as soon as you > > receive the (check/money order),cash it immediately, > > and send the remaining balance to the shipper in Immediately so that the > > shipper could arrange for the pickup.. > > I will pay you an extra $200 if you reserve this for me. > > S o in view of the above, here are some of the details I will need for > > final issuance of the (check/money order) to you. > > > > 1) Full Name... > > (2) Your physical mailing address.... > > (3) your direct telephone number... > > (4) acceptance of my offer.. > > (5) final price... > > > > After which i will give you the details of my shipper. > > once the above information is given you will be issue. > > Hope to hear from you immediately > > > > Regard > > > > > > > >> Mike Hord wrote: > >> Hello- > >> > >> You just called about my Jetta. I do still have it, and I'm asking > >> $11,000 for it. > >> > >> If you'd like to come take a look, just let me know when and we'll > >> work something out. I check my e-mail fairly frequently during the > >> day, less so in the evenings. > >> > >> Just let me know! > >> > >> Mike > -