Vehicle Purchase Scam?
 

Who posted the story about the vehicle purchase scam? I need to review that one. Some guy called from AZ and wants to buy my Comet. He wants to do a bank transfer and I do not want to give him my account number. I think this is a scam...any comments? I thought somebody was posting something that sounded similar to this before.

If the guy is serious on the deal ask him if he could send a cahiers check. it would protect both companies involved. cashiers checks you can trac down for a while, and also it is like you recieving cash. so if you for some odd reason wouldnt be able to come up with an item, he could retract the cashiers check, and also it helps you by basically recieving cash. freind of mine will only deal with cashiers checks on items for over $350, for just this reason.

That or a money order (I get them for free)...either one works fine. I suggested that he do that and he does not want to since his bank will charge him. I suggested even and postal money order to he is protected by mail fraud and he still wants to do the bank transfer. He sounds like a good ole boy rancher...at least that is what he claims and his phone is a Verizon cell phone. I could hear cattle in the background so I don't know if he is just being stubborn or what. Transport shipping is COD so that is no problem. He thought that was pretty cool so he seems a little naive but maybe part of the scam. Why all the bother over over a $1500 car? Very interesting.

Check with YOUR banker
 

What does your bank say? Do they have protections? They should have a safe way to do this.

PLEASE NOTE!!

Cashiers checks and Money Orders are NOT safe anymore. This is the big-time scam these days! Someone will forge a cashiers check and give it to you. You'll cash it, and the bank will give you the money, but will then take it BACK when the check turns out to be forged.

Postal Money Orders aren't subject to this, because the Post Office verifies them BEFORE they pay you. Also, of course, Western Union money orders (and wire transfer, of course).

Brian

I'll agree with Western Union--99% failsafe

Hi there Mike!
If he is worried about the little bit it would cost for a cashiers check, tell him you will knock $5 off the price of the car!
Or better yet. As mentioned above, tell the guy to send a US Postal Money Order. They are only .90 or $1.00.
They are guaranteed, and tell him you will knock a dollar off the price of the car.
Thats what I would do. Postal MO.;)

Darren

Good ideas. I had forgotten that I heard something about counterfeit cashiers checks and money orders recently. I will probably hear from him tomorrow again so will have another go at it. I already volunteered to pay for the check or money order but I am thinking I will demand a postal money order.

With all the forgery going on I don't even write checks to strangers any more. I found out how to wash checks on a tv special. Even though they did not disclose what chemicals to use it only took me about 5 minutes to deduce it from an internet search. I tried it and it is ridiculously easy...beware!

Darren, only one month until the 2nd Annual Road Flare Barbeque at the Monroe Swap Meet....May 15-16. You've got a place to stay if you need it.

You mean people still use checks.......LOL..........:D :D :D Plastic baby................

2nd Road Flare BBQ
 

I will be in section 601 booths 112 & 113 in the NE corner of the fair grounds. I will save a space for the BBQ.

I would think a wire transfer is a lot safer than any other way. Once that money is verified in your account, it is there to stay. Talk to your bank, but I think it is your best way. If you accept a cashiers check, do not release the car until you call the bank that it is drawn on, and they tell you that it has been paid.

I don't understand the cost arguement. Most banks charge about $10-$15 for a wire transfer, when they will only charge a couple of bucks for a Cashiers Checks.

Also understand, that there can be a "stop payment" issued on a Cashiers Check. It is hard, but it can be done.

Was mentioned before to set up a new account......using it as a temporary acct to get the funds there......close it afterwards..

What can someone do to you with a wire transfer? You are giving someone the same information that would be on a check that you would use to pay for something? If a bank allows some type of fraud be commited with this info, I do believe they are liable.

Do you have paypal?

I would be scared using paypal for this high dollar amount. If someone protest a payment down the line, they freeze your account. I have read some horror stories about this. I guess if you get the money out right away, and paypal does not have any recourse to your bank account you would not have to worry.

http://www.paypalsucks.com/forums/showforum.php?fid=3

Guys have been ripped off at the Pomona Swap meet with phoney cashier's checks. A friend of mine sold a motor home thru a wire transfer that was bad. He almost got charged with bank fraud! When I sold my Studebaker, I demanded cash (and it was a LOT more than $1500.00) I got one of those pens at Office Depot, and my wife checked every bill.

There is no fee for a cashier's check if you have an account at the bank, or at least there shouldn't be. If there is, I would change banks. I use a LOT of cashier's checks! I guess most anything CAN be scammmed, but I still have faith in cashier's checks. I pay some through Paypal, but I think it's a cheap outfit. (Owned by Ebay)