Something Does Not Feel Right

[Aven]

I have a situation that I would like to get the collective's take on, because I trust y'all.

We put an older Singer 66 up on OfferUp for $125.00.  We were contacted by someone who said they'd buy it, send us an cashier's check and have some one come get it.  Okay, we're good with that.  This drags on for a few days and rolls into she will pay us and have movers come get it.  Um, okay, more hassle than the sewing machine is worth in my opinion, but what do I know about the worth of the machine really?  Today a cashier's check via FedEx from Chicago, we live outside of Seattle.  The check was for $2,855.00 and there were no instructions for the movers included in the envelope.  Supposedly we are to cash the check and pay the movers with  the remainder of $2650.  We are supposed to get an extra $80 for our troubles.

Oh, the name of the check isn't the name of the person my wife has been dealing with.

I got to say I am uncomfortable with all this.  I feel like this is a scam, but I'm not sure how it works.  Anyone have an insight to this?  Thanks in advance.

Edited August 7, 2020 by Aven

[fredk]

Its a most unusual one indeed.

Is a 'cashier's' cheque like a ready cash payment? I mean, can you go into a bank and instantly get it cashed or does it need to go thru your bank account and the bank system before you get the money?

I'd guess it ain't gonna cost $2650 to crate and send a sewing machine half-way across the country.

Is it possible the buyer mis-understood the price? eg thought it was $1250, then plus $80 = $1330 ~ but that still leaves $1525, still too much

I know of two deals that were just a little bit the same, both became mysteries

[Aven]

Fred, a cashier's check is supposed to be like instant payment.  The bank issues it and guarantees that it won't bounce.  And I'm pretty sure that it won't cost anything near $2650 to crate it and move it.  The moving company quoted us about $6,000 to move our household goods (three bedrooms and a shop) about the same distance.

I'm sure it was a scam, I just can't figure out how they were going to get their money, unless the moving company was in on it.  If I'm correct, the check is a fake, a good fake, but a fake none the less.  If I cash it, since it's a cashier's check, it shows up immediately in my account, even though it hasn't cleared the issuing bank.  That could take weeks before they decide it's a bad check.  At which time they take the check amount back out of my account plus and fees for a bounced check.  So I'm out the amount of the check and they have a sewing machine.  This is a whole lot of trouble for something that isn't going to net them much.  Something expensive I can see, like a car, but not a machine that's not worth more than maybe a few hundred dollars.

The moving company has to be in on it.

My wife had the buyer call me because she's at work.  As soon as it rang I knew it was a scam.  The check in a different name came from Chicago.  The call came from the Twin Cities in Minnesota. They are about 650 miles apart.  The fact the guy told me he had to talk for his wife Leah, who was deaf and dumb, cinched it for me.  Told him I was tearing up the check, he didn't hesitate, he just hung up.

Edited August 7, 2020 by Aven
I can't spell

[fredk]

I think you were wise. You were on to them.

If I may I'll relate a story which came up in my area about 6 years ago.

A woman puts a diamond ring on ebay. A person buys it. Arranges to send a 'bank draft' from a UK bank (like your cashiers check). Buyer pays extra because he wants the ring sent to Nigeria by special delivery. Woman banks cheque, doesn't wait and sends ring. Cheque bounces. Also police contact woman for money laundering. She's cleared of that but has lost the ring. Value of ring? over £15,000. Ebay says not our problem, insurance and police say the same.

That was a big amount. Very often these scammers get people on the smaller amounts, like yours. But usually they have some clever story to go with it and carry it along

[Aven]

Some people are just scum.  I'm sorry she got taken.

Thanks for listening.  Stuck in an empty house is rough for a verbal processor.  The cat couldn't care less about what I'm talking about.

[cardinal leather]

I ran into this scam on Craigslist, seems its been around for a while. i told the guy when u show up with cash we will deal.  never heard from then again.

[Aven]

From now on we will be doing PayPal or cash only.  No checks, cashier's checks, money orders or the like.

[fredk]

ah, you can't beat an honest green-back, unless it a $4 bill. Just don't take any wood nickels 

[garypl]

Every few months I get requests from some 3rd world country to buy my products,  They want me to use their shipper, have me pay for shipping and will pay me by credit card.  Of course they will dispute all charges and split money I would have paid to the shipping company.

Unless I am dealing with a previous customer, I only ship product after I receive funds in my account via wire transfer.  Once the funds hit my account there is nothing they can do to reverse it.

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!

Gary

[Northmount]

The scam that has been running for quite some time is to over-pay with a forged cheque/document.  Then ask you to pay the shipper, or wire the excess money back to them.  When you do that, and then cash your cheque, it will bounce and you will be out the whole amount.  Only accept cheques/documents for the actual amount.  Cash it before you ship.  Don't pay their shipper, etc.  After about 2 weeks, when you are sure your document has properly cleared, then ship the object.

Tom