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How does this scam work?

skimble

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I know I've seen the answer, but I couldn't find it. I'm offering a rental week.
I typically get offers like this, with the "certified check from my employer overseas." But this guy seemed a little different in that I had email correspondence with him that went back and forth over a short time span.
How does the scam on these work?
As for the
cost, we are alright with it.I will like
you to know that my wife's employer will be the
one responsible for all our vacation expenses as a wedding gift and
they have promised to send you a certified check as soon as you have
penned down this date for us.Please get back to me with the
following details....

1.Your full name to be on the check
2.Full Address to mail the payment to
3.Home and Cell phone number

So that the payment can be mailed out to you soon. I will be waiting to
read from you asap.
 

Ridewithme38

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The check is from an overseas bank, so your bank takes forever to figure out if it'll clear, by the time the find out the check is invalid....they have already checked out and gone

OR

The check is from an overseas bank, they 'Accidentally' send you more then the room costs, asking you to refund the overpayment...you send them money, by the time your bank finds out the check is invalid....they are gone
 

RX8

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I know I've seen the answer, but I couldn't find it. I'm offering a rental week.
I typically get offers like this, with the "certified check from my employer overseas." But this guy seemed a little different in that I had email correspondence with him that went back and forth over a short time span.
How does the scam on these work?
As for the
cost, we are alright with it.I will like
you to know that my wife's employer will be the
one responsible for all our vacation expenses as a wedding gift and
they have promised to send you a certified check as soon as you have
penned down this date for us.Please get back to me with the
following details....

1.Your full name to be on the check
2.Full Address to mail the payment to
3.Home and Cell phone number

So that the payment can be mailed out to you soon. I will be waiting to
read from you asap.

Even if it takes your bank six months to figure out the check was bogus, they reserve the right to DEBIT your account for the full amount of the check.
 

Rent_Share

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The check is from an overseas bank, so your bank takes forever to figure out if it'll clear, by the time the find out the check is invalid....they have already checked out and gone

OR

The check is from an overseas bank, they 'Accidentally' send you more then the room costs, asking you to refund the overpayment...you send them money, by the time your bank finds out the check is invalid....they are gone


The scam is the refund, (via Western Union) they could care less about the underlying week/merchandise

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/12/checkoverpayment.shtm

The fact that people are still asking gives hopes to the scammers
 

Passepartout

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They may even try to sweeten the pot by sending a cashier's check for far more than the amount. Frame it. It's worthless. Don't even bother making a reservation for the 'wedding gift' vacation- they have no intention of using it anyway.

Jim
 

presley

TUG Review Crew: Expert
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The kicker to me is... this guy negotiated the price down.
Oh well.

Are they saying the check is from overseas? If not, take the check directly to the bank that it is written from and cash it.
 

skimble

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Are they saying the check is from overseas? If not, take the check directly to the bank that it is written from and cash it.

Ugh... I included the exact wording for what he sent. He didn't mention the overseas part... but that doesn't mean it's not from there.
The formality of the wording seems contrived.
 

Rent_Share

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They may even try to sweeten the pot by sending a cashier's check for far more than the amount. Frame it. It's worthless. Don't even bother making a reservation for the 'wedding gift' vacation- they have no intention of using it anyway.

Jim


That is the scam - A Fake CASHIERS CHECKS for more than the reuqested amount, once refunded the original will turn out to be bogus.
 

csxjohn

TUG Review Crew: Expert
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Resorts Owned
Tropic Shores Resort, Bluegreen points
I sell alot of items on Craigs List ranging from $1 to several hunded dollars. I've gotten many scam letters and they are usually easy to recognize.

The only thing this response has in common with the obvious ones is some of the wording.

"As for the cost, we are alright with it." I've never had anyone ask for a lower price then use this approach.

"I will like you to know" instead of "I would like you to know brings up images of Peggy in the TV credit card ads.

They are not offereing to send more than you ask, yet. That could come later.

On the surface this leans towards the legitimate side.

If it were me I would talk to my banker, who I've gotten to know over the years, and ask her how to get funds transfered electronically into your account without the other part seeing your account number. When I bought my boat I had to do this in person so his bank gave him the info I needed then I added my info and I faxed it to my bank.

My rule of thumb is that if it doesn't sound quite right I pass on the deal. My Craigs List ads always say "cash only" and I don't deal with checks. That may not work in your case.

Once an electronic transaction is deposited into your account it is your money.
 
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