Received email from "walter sam (dr. [email protected])" asking if an item listed on Craigslist was still for sale. Made me suspicious as there were a high number of spelling and grammar errors for a supposed Doctor, so I googled. There are actually two doctors by the name of Samuel Walters, both out of my area, so responded I'd be happy to discuss the item if they were in the area as I would only accept cash.
Couple hours later I get an email from "walter sam (dr. [email protected])" (NOTE - there is ONE digit difference between the two email addresses). I've had two other similar experiences with scams like this, as soon as I noticed the difference I knew it was another cashiers check scam.
He has supposedly been looking for my item for a long time, was thrilled to find it, but is away "on his honeymoon" in Hawaii. Would gladly pay me an extra $50, which his secretary would send overnight if I will take the item off Craigslist and reply with my personal information, my full name, my street address (because UPS won't deliver to a PO Box). Once he confirms the cashiers check is cashed, he will arrange for a mover to pickup my piece of furniture.
I've been selling several items recently, this is the third time I've gotten a variety of this same scam - IF YOU ARE CHECKING THIS PERSON/EMAIL THIS IS A SCAM.
What happens is you deposit the check, your item is picked up. Then within a couple of days the buyer either changes their mind/wasn't what they thought, returns the item and requests a cashiers check back (less any fees-of course). Or the item you sold, probably a much less than retail/resale value is actually worth some money, and they disapear.
Meanwhile the cashiers check is FAKE or BAD or FORGED, but it can take the banks up to a couple weeks to realize it, so you wind up losing your sold item and the fees for the returned check, or lose the money by giving the refund then the money comes back out of your account (plus any fees/penalties) when the check turns out to be bad.
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