Questionable buyers possible scam

[johnmetts]

I have two people with two different emails wanting to send cashier's checks and have a shipper pick up the canoe. Their written English is foreign accented but very similar. (Example: " i am so happy to read your mail , i am ok with price , The> only way i will get you paid is by cashier's check kindly email me
> back if you are ok with mode of my payment , Hope to read from you
> soon.")
The one person says he is from Texas but has a Fresno California phone number.

I am wondering if anyone has had contact with this type of situation recently. The first buyer contacted me last week and the second buyer contacted me a few days later. Pretty sure this is a scam.

 

[Benson Gray]

These are very common as described at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/15765/ and other similar messages here. If that doesn't convince you to stop talking to these people then check with your bank and see how much of a fee they will charge if you attempt to deposit a forged cashier's check. Good luck,

Benson

 

[pklonowski]

"Cash only"... It won't deter them from trying, but if they don't bother to read/understand that little statement, it's a scammer...

 

[1905Gerrish]

Have had a similar experience myself from the classifieds, SCAM!

 

[MGC]

These scams are also very common on Craigslist. I recently listed a large quantity of bailed straw for sale and almost immediately had the cashier check offer from someone in Nevada....I'm in NY! His driver was going to pick the straw the next morning. Too funny. I usually get one or two of these for every listing I post. There are common themes. The cashier check, arranging for "his driver" to pick up, is the item listed still available etc. After a while you can get pretty good at sniffing them out. Sadly there are folks that fall for these ruses (are your grandchildren imprisoned somewhere?). Be careful not to provide your personal contact information in your listings. Bury them so that only real customers can follow the thread. Phone numbers should be listed as a mix of numerals and spelled numbers...that winnows the scammers out.

 

[ruebyc]

Getting one of these type emails on my ads every couple days. They don't make a lot of sense when read closely, they can't come see it but will send a cashiers check then come get the canoe. As you mention, the phrasing is odd too. Once I tell them cash deal only in person, no shipping/other people, then no more contact from them. Couple days later, another very similar email... Sigh.

 

[andy52]

I suppose telling them that the check will have to clear before pick-up will weed out the scammers.

 

[ruebyc]

No - beware of that. Your bank may deposit the money but later find its bogus and come back at you for it plus a big fee. Not worth the risk!