About Scams
Be very cautious about offers to buy items you have posted on the internet. Recent scams revolve around an over payment for the advertised items. The scam is that the check they send is made out for more than the asking price. The check is not legitimate however the seller won't know that until the bank informs them that it has bounced. By then the seller has sent the item and the "change" to the scammer.
If you have any questions about an offer, please email [email protected] and we can give an opinion.
What to watch for:
- poor grammer, spelling and punctuation.
- they don't ask questions about the item for sale. They will ask what the final cost is, they have no interest in shipping cost, and don't offer to pick it up themselves.
- almost never from our region, often from a foreign country
- will sometimes offer personal information to gain the seller's sympathy
- should you respond to them, the next step will be to involve you in an overpayment scheme. Often this involves the buyer sending a cashier's check for the price of the item plus "shipping" and sometimes other amount for commissions, taxes, and other trumped up costs; some costs have nothing to do with the item itself. Then then want the seller to deposit the check and immediately write a check for the amount of "overpayment". The original check will end up being fraudulent, and the seller will be out the money and potentially overdraft charges, etc from their bank.
Remember:
- You are under no obligation to respond to anyone and we strongly recommend ignoring these inquires (just delete the emails).
- Screen potential buyers before agreeing to anything. Ask questions of the buyer to confirm a valid interest and knowledge about your item.
- Do not give out personal information to a complete stranger. Request a phone number from the buyer so you can discuss/arrange pickup. If they don't want to give you a number, do not make further contract.
Be very cautious about offers to buy items you have posted on the internet. Recent scams revolve around an over payment for the advertised items. The scam is that the check they send is made out for more than the asking price. The check is not legitimate however the seller won't know that until the bank informs them that it has bounced. By then the seller has sent the item and the "change" to the scammer.
If you have any questions about an offer, please email [email protected] and we can give an opinion.
What to watch for:
- poor grammer, spelling and punctuation.
- they don't ask questions about the item for sale. They will ask what the final cost is, they have no interest in shipping cost, and don't offer to pick it up themselves.
- almost never from our region, often from a foreign country
- will sometimes offer personal information to gain the seller's sympathy
- should you respond to them, the next step will be to involve you in an overpayment scheme. Often this involves the buyer sending a cashier's check for the price of the item plus "shipping" and sometimes other amount for commissions, taxes, and other trumped up costs; some costs have nothing to do with the item itself. Then then want the seller to deposit the check and immediately write a check for the amount of "overpayment". The original check will end up being fraudulent, and the seller will be out the money and potentially overdraft charges, etc from their bank.
Remember:
- You are under no obligation to respond to anyone and we strongly recommend ignoring these inquires (just delete the emails).
- Screen potential buyers before agreeing to anything. Ask questions of the buyer to confirm a valid interest and knowledge about your item.
- Do not give out personal information to a complete stranger. Request a phone number from the buyer so you can discuss/arrange pickup. If they don't want to give you a number, do not make further contract.