Someone is trying to scam me

[SKP82]

I am an independent consultant for a company (just part time for fun) and received an email last week from someone wanting to place an order that totals a little over $300. But she said she doesn't have a CC, so she was having her boss send me a check. Yeah, okay *rolls eyes*.

This morning FedEx delivered a check made payable to me for $1999.09. Of course this is a scam (she wants me to send her the difference since her order is less than this). I am not going to deposit this check, but should I go to the police to report this or something? I know this happens all the time, so I'm not sure they would care, but this is likely someone's REAL bank account information that was obtained illegally.

H said I should go to the police station (he had something similar happen several years ago when selling a car and this is what he did). WWYD?

Oh, and "she" has sent me about 8 emails/texts this morning already.

[franciepants]

I would take copies of all the emails and the check to the police station. Not sure what they can do but at least you're making them aware of it.

People are so weird.

[ECB]

Yes, I would report it. The police may not actually do anything, but at least have a police report (this helped me immensely years ago when I was a victim of identity theft).

[Deleted]

Our police station apparently likes to be contacted about stuff like this. They have a few people who do nothing but scams/fraud.

[SKP82]

Good to know! I will print everything out and take it to the police station later today. Thanks!

[Deleted]

Cops.

[cuddlyevil]

Go to the cops, around here they don't mess around with the stuff like that.

[tarianne]

Unfortunately the cops won't do anything about this. It is likely an international scam and the have no jurisdiction. You can report it, but it is likely to go into the circular file.

[zitiqueen]

But at least skp's ass will be covered.

[Deleted]

bring this to the police. its a scam you are smart to have your radar up. They do this on EVERYTHING. My sister was selling a hutch on craigslist and they did it. Secretary sent a check for an extra $0 just get a money order and send the difference back. blah blah blah.

My sister didn't do it.. But reported it.

Report it

[kellbell191]

Nov 30, 2012 12:09:17 GMT -5 tarianne said:

Unfortunately the cops won't do anything about this. It is likely an international scam and the have no jurisdiction. You can report it, but it is likely to go into the circular file.

Actually a lot of the scams are within the US and if its between state lines can bring in the feds.

[expatpumpkin]

You could actually have some fun with this. Tell her the bank won't take it because of some small mistake. Request that she Priority Overnight you another check since you'll only have time tomorrow morning to go to the bank. You must have the check by noon. When that check comes, make up another excuse for her to send another again. At the very least she'll be wasting a ton of money on Fedex She'll eventually realized that you're scamming the scammer and give up.

Of course this is assuming she doesn't have your home address...

[thebamker]

I think the only logical thing to do here is fake your own death. I'm sorry.

[troopersmom]

I sell Pampered Chef and we got an email from headquarters warning about emails like this.

[SKP82]

Nov 30, 2012 12:37:43 GMT -5 kellbell191 said:

Nov 30, 2012 12:09:17 GMT -5 tarianne said:

Unfortunately the cops won't do anything about this. It is likely an international scam and the have no jurisdiction. You can report it, but it is likely to go into the circular file.

Actually a lot of the scams are within the US and if its between state lines can bring in the feds.

The check was sent with a return address in GA. The address on the check is NJ. She wants me to send the order to one city in FL, but Western Union the money to a different city in FL...

[expatpumpkin]

Nov 30, 2012 12:56:29 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

Nov 30, 2012 12:51:14 GMT -5 expatpumpkin said:

You could actually have some fun with this. Tell her the bank won't take it because of some small mistake. Request that she Priority Overnight you another check since you'll only have time tomorrow morning to go to the bank. You must have the check by noon. When that check comes, make up another excuse for her to send another again. At the very least she'll be wasting a ton of money on Fedex She'll eventually realized that you're scamming the scammer and give up.

Of course this is assuming she doesn't have your home address...

And then tell her that you Western Unioned the difference but it ended up going to a Western Union about an hour from where she requested, but it's there waiting to be picked up! When she goes there and it isn't there, say you made a mistake. The zip code wasn't 00010, it was 00100 and it's an hour in the other direction, but don't worry, it is for SURE at that one.

YES!!!

[SKP82]

Nov 30, 2012 12:55:45 GMT -5 thebamker said:

I think the only logical thing to do here is fake your own death. I'm sorry.

LOL! Do you know of a reputable (but fake) site where I can create my own obituary??

[ECB]

Nov 30, 2012 12:58:42 GMT -5 SKP82 said:

The check was sent with a return address in GA. The address on the check is NJ. She wants me to send the order to one city in FL, but Western Union the money to a different city in FL...

Oh, come on. Stop being paranoid. This is TOTALLY on the up and up....

8-D

[SKP82]

Nov 30, 2012 12:56:29 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

Nov 30, 2012 12:51:14 GMT -5 expatpumpkin said:

You could actually have some fun with this. Tell her the bank won't take it because of some small mistake. Request that she Priority Overnight you another check since you'll only have time tomorrow morning to go to the bank. You must have the check by noon. When that check comes, make up another excuse for her to send another again. At the very least she'll be wasting a ton of money on Fedex She'll eventually realized that you're scamming the scammer and give up.

Of course this is assuming she doesn't have your home address...

And then tell her that you Western Unioned the difference but it ended up going to a Western Union about an hour from where she requested, but it's there waiting to be picked up! When she goes there and it isn't there, say you made a mistake. The zip code wasn't 00010, it was 00100 and it's an hour in the other direction, but don't worry, it is for SURE at that one.

Hahaha

[SKP82]

Nov 30, 2012 13:00:56 GMT -5 ECB said:

Nov 30, 2012 12:58:42 GMT -5 SKP82 said:

The check was sent with a return address in GA. The address on the check is NJ. She wants me to send the order to one city in FL, but Western Union the money to a different city in FL...

Oh, come on. Stop being paranoid. This is TOTALLY on the up and up....

Right? Do people fall for this stuff?

[expatpumpkin]

Nov 30, 2012 13:02:41 GMT -5 SKP82 said:

Nov 30, 2012 13:00:56 GMT -5 ECB said:

Oh, come on. Stop being paranoid. This is TOTALLY on the up and up....

Right? Do people fall for this stuff?

Yes, I saw it on Judge Judy!!!

Hahaha

[SKP82]

Nov 30, 2012 13:12:01 GMT -5 expatpumpkin said:

Nov 30, 2012 13:02:41 GMT -5 SKP82 said:

Right? Do people fall for this stuff?

Yes, I saw it on Judge Judy!!!

Hahaha

LOL

[Deleted]

Nov 30, 2012 12:55:45 GMT -5 thebamker said:

I think the only logical thing to do here is fake your own death. I'm sorry.

Yep! Sorry! Don't change your name, don't move, don't get a gun. This would be an inconvenience.

[SKP82]

She keeps texting me asking if I got the check. So, I just responded, "Yes, I have received your check and will be depositing it this afternoon. Since it is a lot more than the original order, I will add things to your order to total the amount of the check. This is a really great order for me! Thanks!"

Bahahahaha.

[lilafowler]

This happens a lot on Craigslist-my friend was trying to rent out a house and she got the whole spiel-I told her it was a scam. She destroyed the check.

[TemperanceBrennan]

I would go to the police. I think, even if they can't do anything about it, they keep track of the scams and they do warn the public about them.

[SKP82]

Nov 30, 2012 15:38:51 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

Ooh, good one! What did she say?

She said to please see her email for instructions about her order and the rest of the money (I am paraphrasing because what she wrote is barely intelligible).

I responded, "I can't send you any money because I don't have a checkbook. So I will make the order as close to $1999 as possible and keep the rest. You can return the [product] for a refund to get your money. Also, I am charging a $300 fee for this transaction since it's a lot of work."

[Lauren88]

LOL!! I love that you're messing with her! I can't wait to hear what she says next.

[lilafowler]

Nov 30, 2012 15:52:33 GMT -5 SKP82 said:

Nov 30, 2012 15:38:51 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

Ooh, good one! What did she say?

She said to please see her email for instructions about her order and the rest of the money (I am paraphrasing because what she wrote is barely intelligible).

I responded, "I can't send you any money because I don't have a checkbook. So I will make the order as close to $1999 as possible and keep the rest. You can return the [product] for a refund to get your money. Also, I am charging a $300 fee for this transaction since it's a lot of work."

(I)

[lemondrop]

Nov 30, 2012 15:52:33 GMT -5 SKP82 said:

Nov 30, 2012 15:38:51 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

Ooh, good one! What did she say?

She said to please see her email for instructions about her order and the rest of the money (I am paraphrasing because what she wrote is barely intelligible).

I responded, "I can't send you any money because I don't have a checkbook. So I will make the order as close to $1999 as possible and keep the rest. You can return the [product] for a refund to get your money. Also, I am charging a $300 fee for this transaction since it's a lot of work."

This is hilarious.