Scam, anyone?

Why is it that the days I feel like sleeping in, the 3yr old decided to rise at the break of dawn? He must have some sort of FSP (fatigue sensory perception)!

Well, this edition of my random thoughts deals with check fraud. Or, how not to be a sucker, like me.
Let the saga begin...

About a week ago, I decided to put my wedding dress up for sale on the 'net. I used a website that I still feel is reputable, www.PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, and have no issues with them at all!

I just wish I had read their scam warnings better! I thought I was to savvy to fall for a scam and would recognize one right away.

Never say 'never'.

I received my first email from "sam" a few days after my posting went up. I was shocked someone would respond this fast and was thinking I didn't list the price high enough!

He wrote in broken English and seemed rather rushed to get the dress. I remember telling my husband that something didn't seem right, but I gave "sam" the benefit of the doubt corresponded with him several times.

He insisted on setting up the shipping and was adamant about getting my full name, address, and phone number so he could make out the cashier's check he was going to send.

After careful consideration, I send the information. I guess I figured that I wasn't giving him any more information than I provide on my business website, Virtual Answers.

Several days later, an Express envelope delivered via UPS arrived at my home. The return address was from a carpet company in California, which I didn't recognize.

Inside was a check for $2000 (WAY over what I was asking for the dress) from a computer tech company in Illinois. And no explanation of what it was for.

I was confused, concerned, and suspicious.

I did some digging.

I found that in check fraud, the scammer will often write a "check" over the amount that the seller has asked for and then ask the seller to cash the check and send them the "change", minus their selling price.

"Sam" had not done this.

The bank will usually give you the money right away, trusting the check will clear. When it doesn't, you are responsible for the money withdrawn against the check.
Basically, if you've spent the money, you have to pay it back from your personal account.

I also found that often these "checks" are so real looking that even bank tellers have a difficult time realizing that they are fake until it is too late.

The carpet company in California was legit. The computer tech company in Illinois was legit. The bank on the check was legit. The check paper was legit (microprinting, watermark, the whole shebang). There were perforation marks on the edge of the paper. It all seemed genuine.

With a few exceptions.

#1 - I wasn't expecting a check in this amount
#2 - The sending company on the check and the return address didn't match.
#3 - Neither of the companies or addresses had any meaning to me.
#4 - The routing and account numbers on the check were simply printed on by a dot matrix printer, not by a bank with their special ink.
#5 - SOMETHING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT!

I decided to wait for the email to come.

I knew it would.

I just had to wait.


And it did.
Later that day, I got contact from "sam". He commented that I should have received his check via UPS in the amount of $2000. He asked me to cash the check at my bank, take out my selling price and send him the dress and "change".

That was all I needed.

I confronted him in an email, told him I knew it was a fraud, that I had already destroyed the check, and not to contact me again.

And that was that.

Until this morning.

Guy had the nerve to mail me back and accuse ME of scamming HIM!
I laughed out loud! Especially when I read the threat about him contacting the local authorities and the FBI! That's a good one!

I couldn't help myself. I told him to go ahead!

I'd block his email, but I'm rather curious to see what he does next!


Anyway, the moral of the story is this:
Always be suspicious of free money!
Don't give "change" off of a check.
Know that Sam Smith, sam_milla11@yahoo.com is a scammer!

~Be wise!
Kathy W.
Virtual Answers