How do I proceed next? Scammer sent us an obviously bogus check.

[tyler811]

I would just send them back the check and tell them cash and local dealing only. You start screwing with some of these people especially since they your address you could be asking for trouble.

 

[WHAMPOM]

I would just send them back the check and tell them cash and local dealing only. You start screwing with some of these people especially since they your address you could be asking for trouble.

Putz advice huh! Telling the District Attorney is much better.

 

[SoulAssassin]

If you have a checking account other than your main one for bills, deposit the check, immediately withdraw $1700 in cash or whatever the difference is between the selling price and the check amount. Keep said cash, tell the 'buyer' to fuck off and when the bank comes calling say you sent the guy a money order and claim ignorance.

 

[tyler811]

Putz advice huh! Telling the District Attorney is much better.

No it is sound advice now that his family may be endangered by his wife giving out their address and phone number.

OBTW fuck off I am all for putting these fuckers in jail but not at the cost of the safety of my family.

 

[rockyct]

If you have a checking account other than your main one for bills, deposit the check, immediately withdraw $1700 in cash or whatever the difference is between the selling price and the check amount. Keep said cash, tell the 'buyer' to fuck off and when the bank comes calling say you sent the guy a money order and claim ignorance.

Wow, that's just about the worst thing you could do other than deposit the check and send the PS3 out.

 

[Rob_63]

Wow, that's just about the worst thing you could do other than deposit the check and send the PS3 out.

Really! the bank WILL hold us responsible when the check is found to be bogus.... NO doubt in my mind about that.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Wow, that's just about the worst thing you could do other than deposit the check and send the PS3 out.

My post needed a <sarcasm> tag.

 

[Raizinman]

The reason these scams have continued so well is that the Police, DA, USPS and others don't really care and it's too widespread and too much trouble to set up a sting to see who gets the package when likely it will be two 12 year old kids. Going to the authorities will be a lesson in futility. Best advice is to send them back the check letting them know that you are aware of similar scams and you need cash with local pickup. Anything else could cause them to be vindictive.

 

[DrPizza]

If you're going to send them anything back, send Monopoly money & point out that the monopoly money holds more value than their check.

 

[FoBoT]

this happens thousands of time , i doubt any law enforcement has resources to pursue all of them

so just forget the whole thing, you can't change the world

 

[ed21x]

just do what any mature man would do and send them a dead rat or box full of live spiders.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Send the information to the local police and Post Office where the shipment was intended. By you using US mail, then the Feds can get involved.
Then send a notification that the item needs to be signed for at the PO with proper identification.

If the perps are legit perps they may pass.
If they are cranks - then they may be dumb enough to attempt to retreive the package and the USPS can nail them.

Total cost to you $1-$2

 

[rockyct]

My post needed a <sarcasm> tag.

lol, sorry, but I can see some of the (young, fake-authoritative) people here being serious about something like that.

 

[Gooberlx2]

P-P-P-Powerbook!

 

[Nik]

What a dumb question. Do nothing or call the cops.

 

[DrPizza]

Send the information to the local police and Post Office where the shipment was intended. By you using US mail, then the Feds can get involved.
Then send a notification that the item needs to be signed for at the PO with proper identification.

If the perps are legit perps they may pass.
If they are cranks - then they may be dumb enough to attempt to retreive the package and the USPS can nail them.

Total cost to you $1-$2

And, when/if they say that it's too small of a case for them to bother, tell them "That's too bad - I already contacted the media and they were going to be there to take pictures and write a story about how the post office and local police were working together to help protect the local citizens from these well known scams. I guess I'll pass on the information to them that you guys just don't care or can't be bothered. They can write a story on that instead."

 

[F1N3ST]

P-P-P-Powerbook!

LMFAO that's legendary.

 

[ViviTheMage]

If I was a cop, and out to catch criminals..i'd say to have you send a PS3 that worked...and throw a GPS inside of it, and track the fuckers...put them in jail, rinse and repeat.

 

[Rob_63]

What a dumb question. Do nothing or call the cops.

Wow, great insight from you, thanks for the contribution. Since you are (in your own mind) obviously MUCH more intelligent than myself maybe you can inform me as to who to contact for internet fraud?

I was looking for alternative options from the creative minds here at Anand not for an insult, but one moronic turn deserves another you ASSHAT.

 

[eternalone]

My post needed a <sarcasm> tag.

I laughed so hard. LOL

 

[olds]

I laughed so hard. LOL

Should have waited 18 days to bump it.

 

[dawp]

If I was a cop, and out to catch criminals..i'd say to have you send a PS3 that worked...and throw a GPS inside of it, and track the fuckers...put them in jail, rinse and repeat.

there's a good chance that they are outside the US.

 

[alkemyst]

If you have a checking account other than your main one for bills, deposit the check, immediately withdraw $1700 in cash or whatever the difference is between the selling price and the check amount. Keep said cash, tell the 'buyer' to fuck off and when the bank comes calling say you sent the guy a money order and claim ignorance.

1) illegal and 2) don't you think if this was possible that people would just make up a 'scammer' somewhere out in cyberspace they got a check from.

It's a good thing for the masses that most criminals have a mentality like yours.

 

[alkemyst]

Personally I'd pull a "p-p-p-powerbook scam", however; with AT being seeded so quick to google, the scammers probably already know they have been 'caught'.

I'd explain that your wife was laid off on Friday. You have no problem refunding part of the money and want to overnight it back. Tell them you have another console you are going to list now and ask if they want first shot at it.

Tell them you are sending back the money as 10 postal money orders for $200 (to cover over night costs), nine for $170, it will be more convenient than dealing with a bank that may require a holding period or you to open an account. If she got their check before noon on Friday you can say you went straight to the post office prior to them closing at noon to do this. It's all ready to go....UPS should be open on monday.

 

[pontifex]

I still don't get what people get out of harassing scammers. why waste your time and possibly money on nothing?