The Ford Barn

frank55a · 05-18-2016, 09:31 PM

Barners Selling Parts Beware

For you Barners selling parts on the Swap Meet page or for that matter anywhere on the internet a word of caution, BEWARE. There are scammers out to collect big bucks from you.This is a twist on an old scam. A "person" says they are interested in an item you have listed, after a dialog is established (first clue) the language or wording just does not feel right;(second clue) they say don't worry about shipping they will have their mover or agent pick up the item; (third clue) they sent payment, when payment arrives it is several times the asking price and they will tell you their secretary or clerk improperly made out the check; (fourth clue) then they will say deduct payment plus some given amount for your trouble, both times it was an extra $100and give the difference to the person picking up the item.Both times that I was targeted the payment was over 10 times what I was asking for the item. Both times I smelled a RAT from almost the beginning. I have contacted the FTC and the FBI and was told these scammers are very active and further DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CASH THE CHECK! This is why I am extremely cautious about accepting anything other than a USPS Money Order.Hope this helps and none of you get burned.

C26Pinelake · 05-18-2016, 09:35 PM

This scam has been active for years! Wayne

gypsycandle · 05-18-2016, 09:37 PM

Thanks for the heads up frank, appreciated.
Michael...

Pickupman · 05-18-2016, 09:47 PM

This is nothing new. This type of scam has been going on for years.

Utopia Texas · 05-18-2016, 09:52 PM

I only buy, sell and swap parts on different sites with people who have posted and answered questions on the forums. A scammer is not going to bother being a regular member on a forum just to scam one or two folks. I know this cuts out some purchases but so be it....

Tom Wesenberg · 05-18-2016, 10:26 PM

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I've heard money orders and certified bank checks have also been a scam, so beware of them also.

SeaSlugs · 05-18-2016, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I've heard money orders and certified bank checks have also been a scam, so beware of them also.

yea they can be faked too.

Cash is and has always been king. - i do realize this isn't always feasable when dealing with distances farther than driveable.

31 Model A · 05-19-2016, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

yea they can be faked too.

Cash is and has always been king. .

WHOA Hoss!!!! That doesn't stand anymore with the new $20.00 bill coming out!!!!!

Don't get yourself caught up in this new PC crap going around...............

Have to be special careful what you say, how you say it and who you say it to.............

Tom Wesenberg · 05-19-2016, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

WHOA Hoss!!!! That doesn't stand anymore with the new $20.00 bill coming out!!!!!

Don't get yourself caught up in this new PC crap going around...............

Have to be special careful what you say, how you say it and who you say it to.............

PC............doesn't that stand for Political Corruption?

I don't like the idea of the new $20 either.

We need to go back to the gold standard, then we can buy Model A parts and cars safely by trading in gold and silver.
Lets see the government print new gold bars.

Actually I've mailed and received cash at times and never had a problem. On a car purchase I always use cash and do it in person.

31 Model A · 05-19-2016, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

PC............doesn't that stand for Political Corruption?

I don't like the idea of the new $20 either.
Actually I've mailed and received cash at times and never had a problem. .

That's because you are honest and have pleasant memories of doing business with those just like you. Heart hardening though when that honestly is taken advantage of.............

smittykid · 05-20-2016, 05:48 AM

A number of years ago I had a car for sale on "Carsonline" I was asking $24,000 for the car. I was contacted via email with an offer to buy the car for $30,000 and he would send me a cashiers check for that amount. I was then supposed to Western Union him the difference of $6,000. This guy even told me where my closest Western Union office was. Long story short-I finally received a cashier's check for $30,000 made out to me. I held it up to the light and it looked good right down to the watermarks. It came in a plain white envelope with German postage on it and no return address and no cover letter. I was able to contact the bank the check originally came from. The gal at the bank asked me the check # and the account # on the check. She told me that the check was no good (which I already knew). At one point in time these were legit cashiers checks from this bank. Apparently there was an inside job where someone stole a bunch of blank cashiers checks and must of sold them on the internet. She said that normally the bank would request me to send them the check, but they already had a file full of bogus checks.
I knew this was a scam from the get-go. I just wanted a $30,000 cashiers check made out to me to hang on the wall in my office. I contacted the "buyer" via email and told him I was informed by the bank the check was no good. I ended my email by stating, "Nice try A-hole". Surprise, surprise- I never heard back from him.
This was several years ago and this scam is still going on in one form or another.

C26Pinelake · 05-20-2016, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smittykid

A number of years ago I had a car for sale on "Carsonline" I was asking $24,000 for the car. I was contacted via email with an offer to buy the car for $30,000 and he would send me a cashiers check for that amount. I was then supposed to Western Union him the difference of $6,000. This guy even told me where my closest Western Union office was. Long story short-I finally received a cashier's check for $30,000 made out to me. I held it up to the light and it looked good right down to the watermarks. It came in a plain white envelope with German postage on it and no return address and no cover letter. I was able to contact the bank the check originally came from. The gal at the bank asked me the check # and the account # on the check. She told me that the check was no good (which I already knew). At one point in time these were legit cashiers checks from this bank. Apparently there was an inside job where someone stole a bunch of blank cashiers checks and must of sold them on the internet. She said that normally the bank would request me to send them the check, but they already had a file full of bogus checks.
I knew this was a scam from the get-go. I just wanted a $30,000 cashiers check made out to me to hang on the wall in my office. I contacted the "buyer" via email and told him I was informed by the bank the check was no good. I ended my email by stating, "Nice try A-hole". Surprise, surprise- I never heard back from him.
This was several years ago and this scam is still going on in one form or another.

Unfortunately the scammer has your name, address and email adress. What a shame and significant risk should he try to get even!! Wayne

aonemarine · 05-18-2016, 10:33 PM

Frank sooner or later you will have something I need, then I will want a 20% discount on it and free delivery.....But I do pay cash and its a short drive for delivery

RonC · 05-18-2016, 10:43 PM

They are forged checks on good stolen bank accounts. They clear but weeks later they kick back as forged and your bank where you cashed it comes after you for the money. Banks will tell you even bank checks can clear and later come back forged

Dave Mellor NJ · 05-18-2016, 11:24 PM

In the real world anybody would try to negotiate the price down and they certainly wouldn't make the mistake of overpaying. Supposedly they found out the subordinate made a big mistake in your favor but they made no effort to stop it or have you send it back. You wonder how could anybody fall for it but I guess they do.

C26Pinelake · 05-19-2016, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Mellor NJ

In the real world anybody would try to negotiate the price down and they certainly wouldn't make the mistake of overpaying. Supposedly they found out the subordinate made a big mistake in your favor but they made no effort to stop it or have you send it back. You wonder how could anybody fall for it but I guess they do.

They call it being gullible and naive. Wayne

700rpm · 05-19-2016, 12:41 AM

I walked my scammer around the block for about a month, asking questions, making promises, and essentially just playing his game back on him. I kept records of all our correspondence, and didn't cash the check. Towards the end of the month he was asking if I was ever going to do that and send him the item. At that point I blocked his emails and handed all the evidence over to my bank, which then took over the case. They have the legal muscle and procedures to pursue this stuff to the federal level. I found out later they did just that, and caught and prosecuted the guy, who in this case happened to be American, not foreign.

C26Pinelake · 05-19-2016, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700rpm

I walked my scammer around the block for about a month, asking questions, making promises, and essentially just playing his game back on him. I kept records of all our correspondence, and didn't cash the check. Towards the end of the month he was asking if I was ever going to do that and send him the item. At that point I blocked his emails and handed all the evidence over to my bank, which then took over the case. They have the legal muscle and procedures to pursue this stuff to the federal level. I found out later they did just that, and caught and prosecuted the guy, who in this case happened to be American, not foreign.

While playing detective you exposed yourself to email viruses as well as exposing your personal identify and address. Not a wise move in my opinion. Wayne

Steve_Mack_CT · 05-19-2016, 07:39 AM

Ray that is a great story! Good for you.

Another car site I am on requires anyone posting an item for sale to have participated in the discussion forum with at least 10 posts, which helps weed out the scammers on the other end at least. But is has moderators with the time to enforce and I am not sure the Barn has that luxury. (Still, it goes both ways, I got screwed big time on a brass light for my speedster on another Ford forum - thanks Larry in TN if you see this - pics were perfectly done to show a nice unit AND hide the massive old damage to the part, paid $250 for a $75 item at best.) I put 50% of the blame on myself for taking him at his word. Distance buying is always chancy but dealing with regulars really cuts down the risk.

Colonel Biggs · 05-19-2016, 08:23 AM

A very timely post! I have advertised my '30 Sport Coupe with MARC. I have been contacted by an individual who is willing to pay full price - just send him my name/address, etc., and he will have the car picked up. He will not respond to my questions concerning who he is, where he is, or to where is the car to be shipped.

If someone is legitimately purchasing a car from a distance, and if cashier's checks and USPS money orders have been known to be forged, how does one complete the transaction? One could use a wire transfer, but that would entail divulging your bank account info to the supposed buyer.

05-18-2016, 09:31 PM	#1
frank55a Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 935	Barners Selling Parts Beware Barners Selling Parts Beware For you Barners selling parts on the Swap Meet page or for that matter anywhere on the internet a word of caution, BEWARE. There are scammers out to collect big bucks from you.This is a twist on an old scam. A "person" says they are interested in an item you have listed, after a dialog is established (first clue) the language or wording just does not feel right;(second clue) they say don't worry about shipping they will have their mover or agent pick up the item; (third clue) they sent payment, when payment arrives it is several times the asking price and they will tell you their secretary or clerk improperly made out the check; (fourth clue) then they will say deduct payment plus some given amount for your trouble, both times it was an extra $100and give the difference to the person picking up the item.Both times that I was targeted the payment was over 10 times what I was asking for the item. Both times I smelled a RAT from almost the beginning. I have contacted the FTC and the FBI and was told these scammers are very active and further DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CASH THE CHECK! This is why I am extremely cautious about accepting anything other than a USPS Money Order.Hope this helps and none of you get burned.

05-18-2016, 09:35 PM	#2
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware This scam has been active for years! Wayne

05-18-2016, 09:37 PM	#3
gypsycandle Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Central Florida Posts: 76	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware Thanks for the heads up frank, appreciated. Michael...

05-18-2016, 09:47 PM	#4
Pickupman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kingwood, Texas Posts: 444	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware This is nothing new. This type of scam has been going on for years.

05-18-2016, 09:52 PM	#5
Utopia Texas Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Brookshire & Cat Spring,Texas Posts: 222	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware I only buy, sell and swap parts on different sites with people who have posted and answered questions on the forums. A scammer is not going to bother being a regular member on a forum just to scam one or two folks. I know this cuts out some purchases but so be it....

05-18-2016, 10:26 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've heard money orders and certified bank checks have also been a scam, so beware of them also.

05-20-2016, 05:48 AM	#11
smittykid Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: NW Pa./Sc. Posts: 252	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware A number of years ago I had a car for sale on "Carsonline" I was asking $24,000 for the car. I was contacted via email with an offer to buy the car for $30,000 and he would send me a cashiers check for that amount. I was then supposed to Western Union him the difference of $6,000. This guy even told me where my closest Western Union office was. Long story short-I finally received a cashier's check for $30,000 made out to me. I held it up to the light and it looked good right down to the watermarks. It came in a plain white envelope with German postage on it and no return address and no cover letter. I was able to contact the bank the check originally came from. The gal at the bank asked me the check # and the account # on the check. She told me that the check was no good (which I already knew). At one point in time these were legit cashiers checks from this bank. Apparently there was an inside job where someone stole a bunch of blank cashiers checks and must of sold them on the internet. She said that normally the bank would request me to send them the check, but they already had a file full of bogus checks. I knew this was a scam from the get-go. I just wanted a $30,000 cashiers check made out to me to hang on the wall in my office. I contacted the "buyer" via email and told him I was informed by the bank the check was no good. I ended my email by stating, "Nice try A-hole". Surprise, surprise- I never heard back from him. This was several years ago and this scam is still going on in one form or another.

05-18-2016, 10:33 PM	#13
aonemarine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Delaware Posts: 252	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware Frank sooner or later you will have something I need, then I will want a 20% discount on it and free delivery.....But I do pay cash and its a short drive for delivery

05-18-2016, 10:43 PM	#14
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware They are forged checks on good stolen bank accounts. They clear but weeks later they kick back as forged and your bank where you cashed it comes after you for the money. Banks will tell you even bank checks can clear and later come back forged

05-18-2016, 11:24 PM	#15
Dave Mellor NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 814	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware In the real world anybody would try to negotiate the price down and they certainly wouldn't make the mistake of overpaying. Supposedly they found out the subordinate made a big mistake in your favor but they made no effort to stop it or have you send it back. You wonder how could anybody fall for it but I guess they do.

05-19-2016, 12:41 AM	#17
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,920	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware I walked my scammer around the block for about a month, asking questions, making promises, and essentially just playing his game back on him. I kept records of all our correspondence, and didn't cash the check. Towards the end of the month he was asking if I was ever going to do that and send him the item. At that point I blocked his emails and handed all the evidence over to my bank, which then took over the case. They have the legal muscle and procedures to pursue this stuff to the federal level. I found out later they did just that, and caught and prosecuted the guy, who in this case happened to be American, not foreign. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

05-19-2016, 07:39 AM	#19
Steve_Mack_CT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Central CT Posts: 348	Re: Barners Selling Parts Beware Ray that is a great story! Good for you. Another car site I am on requires anyone posting an item for sale to have participated in the discussion forum with at least 10 posts, which helps weed out the scammers on the other end at least. But is has moderators with the time to enforce and I am not sure the Barn has that luxury. (Still, it goes both ways, I got screwed big time on a brass light for my speedster on another Ford forum - thanks Larry in TN if you see this - pics were perfectly done to show a nice unit AND hide the massive old damage to the part, paid $250 for a $75 item at best.) I put 50% of the blame on myself for taking him at his word. Distance buying is always chancy but dealing with regulars really cuts down the risk. __________________ Steve 1930 Model A Roadster

05-19-2016, 08:23 AM	#20
Colonel Biggs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 156	Barners Selling Parts Beware A very timely post! I have advertised my '30 Sport Coupe with MARC. I have been contacted by an individual who is willing to pay full price - just send him my name/address, etc., and he will have the car picked up. He will not respond to my questions concerning who he is, where he is, or to where is the car to be shipped. If someone is legitimately purchasing a car from a distance, and if cashier's checks and USPS money orders have been known to be forged, how does one complete the transaction? One could use a wire transfer, but that would entail divulging your bank account info to the supposed buyer.