<p>^^ jym,</p>
<p>one step at a time… :)</p>
<p>wow, this guy did not do very well in scammer class 101. I believe the scam originated (or at least is most effective) with a car purchase. For example, if you were selling a car for $20,000 it wouldn’t be that crazy for the buyer to hire a shipper and send you a cashiers check for $20,500 and ask you to forward the excess $500 to his “shipper.” I can assure you many have fallen for that scam. But to try to buy a $50 item with a $3700 check is pretty dumb, although you never know how dumb people truly are until you try.</p>
<p>The problem this guy had is that he did not send a Cashier’s Check, he had NO idea what a Cashier’s Check looks like. I handle Cashier’s Check every day, so I can tell what it looks like. In addition, I have several accounts with Wells Fargo, the check’s routing number is not Wells Fargo, but the bank name printed on the check is. This dumb dumb thought everyone is dumb, but sorry Charlie, you hit a bad rot this time. </p>
<p>I had the occasion to initiated an FBI investigation on mail fraud, the guy was a student in an OH university. He took my money from Ebay and refused to ship. He got expelled because of that. Not only I wrote to FBI but also copied to every one in the University, so it goes.</p>
<p>Whoa. You mean business, artlovers!! </p>
<p>Can’t wait to hear what you do if/when this current idiot contacts you.</p>
<p>Hey artloversplus, whatever happened with this scammer? Did he disappear?</p>
<p>I did not read all my comments, but did I tell you I actually received a check in the mail? The check had problems all over and when I confront the scammer, he disappeared. I have not heard from him, ever.</p>
<p>We are getting ready to sell a brand new car on craigslist and I am now very leery. We’ve purchased large items before, but never sold. Maybe we should go through Auto Trader?</p>
<p>You have to maximize your exposure, whether it is auto trader, classified ad or CL. But you have to prepare for the scammers, no matter where you advertise. Don’t disclose your email address with the ad like I did, the old phone is still the most reliable communication media right now.</p>
<p>Be alert and be happy… good luck.</p>
<p>BTW, I was able to sell the stove top to a real person on CL for $75, after the mishaps.</p>
<p>Artlover:Good advice about the email. We will stick to Max’s cell phone. And since it the selling price is around $20K, I believe we’ll meet the buyer at their bank. We won the car and I hate to part with it, but college is just around the corner.</p>
<p>Glad you were able to sell the stovetop after all of the scammers. Did you keep the fake MO?</p>
<p>^^ Yes, not only I kept the fake MO in its original order, but also I have kept the fed ex envelope showing all the tracking info.</p>
<p>Really, Agentninetynine, you don’t even need a cell number. The way craigslist works now, all emails (yours and the buyers) are anonymous. I’ve engaged in week-long negotiations with people without ever having to disclose my phone, email, or identity. You really don’t have any reason to be concerned . . . unless you agree to sell it to someone in Nigeria in exchange for a wire transfer! :D</p>