Unfortunately there are more than a few of these thieves out there hoping that they can steal merchandise or money with their scams. I sell on Ebay and have been sent counterfeit money orders, cashiers checks and cash that was created using some kind of high tech printer that was very hard to identify as fake. For that reason, I accept paypal direct funds (no credit card payments) only and I keep waiting for the scum sucking lowlifes to figure out a way to cheat and steal using that.
The best way to stay a step ahead of online fraud is to post your experiences and do exactly what you did; report it to the authorities. Don't expect them to move very quickly though.
Jun 06, 2009 Rating
Not sold. Nearly scammed instead by: Jess
Guess that I shoulda read the Fraud page here before now.
The check I received by mail had no return address on it. The corporate check itself was stolen from an oil compoany in Texas and drawn on a bank that has no branches close by. I thought it odd that anyone would buy a bike without seeing it or test riding it.
After much calling both the bank and the company, I contacted the FBI Internet Fraud site online and the oil companys investigative unit. The "Buyer" claimed to be a reverand and said that I could trust him. Then begged me to deposit the check and send him the money, when I said the bike was no longer for sale.
So the bike is still for sale.
BUT it will take either cash or US Postal Money Order to buy it.
