Another fraud that is taking place lately is this: I put a harp on the local Recyler newpaper's website. I received no less than three emails from different persons claiming that they wanted to buy the harp (they referred specifially to my ad, hence lending credibility) and that they were in New York or some other place (one was in Canada) and they would send me certified funds. All I needed to do was give the item to the person who was going to pick it up from my house (a supposed shipper). THey would say that they would send the money in a larger amount than I was asking and that I could keep $200 above the price I was asking for the merchandise for my trouble, and that I should give the rest to the shipper, as it was for purchases of other items and for shipping all the items at once. It sounded fishy, so I checked the net for scams, and found on the FBI site and also a scambuster site that people are buying/stealing previously cashed certified funds checks from banks (inside people are often part of the crime ring) and doctoring them up. Recipient banks cash them, only to find out later that they had already been cashed. Then your account is debited for the large amount, and the perpetrators are off on their merry way. It is very clever, watch out for it!! John Robles
"Loran T.Hughes" <[email protected]> wrote: Al is giving excellent advice. Personally, I would be loath to deal with any overseas buyer or seller these days. But if you must... 1. Ask questions. I would recommend asking for the serial number and a couple of extra photos. If they can't supply because "the phono is already boxed up" or some other lame excuse, move on. 2. If there is a way to pay with your credit card, do it. If you don't get your merchandise, you have recourse through the credit card issuer. I once got caught in the midst of a tiff between an owner and consignment seller. I got the phonograph which the eBay consignment seller possessed, but the horn was still with the original owner who refused to give it up. Once I got ahold of the owner and explained that I would simply contest the credit card charge and keep the 1/2 phono for my trouble, the horn showed up quickly. 3. If your buyer sends a check, money order, etc., make sure it clears the bank before shipping the merchandise. One scam involves the "buyer" sending way too much money, then requesting that you send the merchandise and overpayment right away. The scammer gets your property, some extra folding cash, and you get a fake money order and nasty letter from your bank. 4. Use a reputable escrow service. 5. And lest we forget the old "the machine is in Chicago but I'm on an extended business trip to France, so please send the money here" scam! Maybe someone would like to volunteer to pull all of this advice into a nice FAQ for the list? Loran _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list [email protected] Phono-L Archive http://www.oldcrank.org/pipermail/phono-l/
