I've engaged a Craigslist scammer - need ideas for next steps. Updated!

[rivan]

I wanna know about the drop forging they do.

Looks like something military.

http://www.californiadrop.com/

I just called them - they've already got an investigation going. Guy said I'm like the 10th call this week.

I also called Western Union and filed a fraud report with them.

 

[LurkerPrime]

I wonder if you can get WU to give you a 10 Digit (MTCN) and have them flag it as fraudulent and to call the police immediately if anyone tries to claim it. At that point photoshop yourself a reciept with the MTCN and amount on it and send it to him.

 

[JEDIYoda]

That doesn't always work, in fact, some scammers have stated up front that they will wait until the check clears. By law, for amounts under $xxxx, banks have to make the money available within so many days. That's what gets a lot of people - they don't know that the bank can discover weeks later that the check was a forgery and still nail your account for it.

Exactly!! You have no recourse...none at all. Best thing to do is to tell the scammer that you have apolicy of waiting at least 6-8 weeks after the check clears because you are backlogged in shipping other items!!

 

[JEDIYoda]

People are actually fooled by checks like that one?

It`s not so much the check it`s the damn banking laws.....the backs have no choice but to process checks for under a certain amount of money within a certain time frame.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Tell the scammer you work for a company that helps people collect money from dead relatives for a small fee.

 

[airdata]

4-5 years ago when I first started posting on Craigslist and had no idea about the scams, this happened to me.

I was selling a computer for $300 and some guy sends me a check via UPS for $3500... The check was from some auto dealership in another state. It served as internet scams 101 for me. (no, i didn't deposit it)

 

[SunnyD]

People are actually fooled by checks like that one?

Problem is you can actually hand write a legitimate check - no security features, no MICR, no nothing. As long as it has valid routing, ABA and account numbers on it and is properly endorsed it's a completely valid and negotiable instrument.

 

[rivan]

Got the new check today!

All new info - this is, I believe, a legitimate check with fraudulent information printed on it. All the microprinting is present and sharp.

I need ideas for next steps - I'm not sure how to ask the guy to do anything ridiculous. The only idea I've got is to at least make him waste a trip to the western union - the wrong one, if I can somehow.

 

[Fausto]

Got the new check today!

All new info - this is, I believe, a legitimate check with fraudulent information printed on it. All the microprinting is present and sharp.

I need ideas for next steps - I'm not sure how to ask the guy to do anything ridiculous. The only idea I've got is to at least make him waste a trip to the western union - the wrong one, if I can somehow.

Liberal, Kansan?

Tell him your bank wouldn't take it with the typo and he'll need to cut you a new check.

 

[highland145]

Could call the bank.
http://www.routingnumbers.org/bank_routing_number_101100621.html

(785) 826-2282

 

[highland145]

Kansas is misspelled.

 

[NFS4]

"We've engaged the Borg"

 

[Krazy4Real]

Yes, tell him Kansas is misspelled and to send you another check.

 

[highland145]

Call Jeff parsons at that address.
http://www.uspi.net/classlist.html
Number 195

 

[bignateyk]

Yes, tell him Kansas is misspelled and to send you another check.

 

[Fausto]

Call Jeff parsons at that address.
http://www.uspi.net/classlist.html
Number 195

You suck at this thread.

 

[sdifox]

Yes, tell him Kansas is misspelled and to send you another check.

Better yet, tell him it's Lieberal, Kansas. Then when the new one comes, tell him you goofed and had a typo in the email and it should read Liberal, Kansas.


:awe::awe:

 

[highland145]

You suck at this thread.

Well, if that's the only thing today, it's all good.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Call and ask Mary Ellen out on a date.

 

[DrPizza]

"Thank you! I deposited the bank into my account. when it clears, I will send the extra back to you via Western Union."

That will string him along. Wait patiently, then make excuse after excuse for not wiring it yet. The more of his time you can waste with his responses, the better.

 

[rivan]

"Thank you! I deposited the bank into my account. when it clears, I will send the extra back to you via Western Union."

That will string him along. Wait patiently, then make excuse after excuse for not wiring it yet. The more of his time you can waste with his responses, the better.

I'd be afraid that would just make him drop the whole thing, or get pushy to get it done without clearing.

 

[BillGates]

Just send him a picture of your wiener on top of the check.

 

[SolMiester]

Sorry guys, I dont know of these scams, how do they work?, hes sent a chq for more than the asking price? Are you saying it will bounce once you have refunded the difference?

 

[SolMiester]

In NZ, we can get whats called a special answer on the chq $20 charge and you know if the chq will be honoured straight away...The bank cant go back on a special answer chq

 

[Stifko]

Are you saying it will bounce once you have refunded the difference?

Yes.

We don't have special answer check deposits here in the States.