Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-30-2019, 09:42 AM   #1
dean from bozeman
Senior Member
 
dean from bozeman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Posts: 997
Default Any recourse for this recurring scam

This has happened to Model A guys so I am asking about what to do on this forum.

My wife and I rent out our renovated barn for vacations and events. The scam that is being offered is the old "The check that I am sending you is for over the amount. Please cash it and send me the amount that is in excess'.

I know it is a scam. I have told this guy that we will not cash it. His options are:
1. I'll send it to the return address.
2. They can put a stop payment on the check.
3. I can destroy the check.

He keeps coming back that we can make a deal, etc.

Now I could ignore this but I really don't like scammers. It makes my blood boil. What are my options to help put this guy out of business...or at least wound his scam? The check is from the Atlanta area. Notify the Atlanta police? But what has he done wrong...overpaid?

I will report him to Homeaway since that is where the contact came from but I feel that is not enough. Do I have any recourse?

If anything maybe this post will keep one Fordbarner from getting caught in a scam like this.

Last edited by dean from bozeman; 03-30-2019 at 09:47 AM.
dean from bozeman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 10:10 AM   #2
28
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Posts: 49
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

The police department where I live has a small two man department for cyber crimes which this would fall under and they work with law enforcement in other states. This is something that they can run down and check on as these scams are often part of something much larger. Most PDs will not have such a department, but perhaps just check with yours or county sheriff or sending an email to the FBI to inquire what they can do. If they sent by mail, perhaps you could inquire with the local postmaster (mail fraud).
28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-30-2019, 11:03 AM   #3
Dick Steinkamp
Senior Member
 
Dick Steinkamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 1,163
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

My advice is just to ignore these guys. ANY communications you have with them just encourages them to keep after you. The odds of police catching up with this guy (or any of these relatively low value scams) are slim to none. Don't waste your time, energy, (and boiled blood ) responding...ever.

You can notify Homeaway (I would), but the scammer will likely change his Homeaway log in and profile 10 minutes after he gets banned by Homeaway.

Same with phone scams. I only use a cell phone (no land line). If a call comes in from a number not in my known contacts, I don't answer it. If it is truly something that needs my attention, the caller will leave a voice mail and I can call back. Talking to phone scammers (even if only for long enough to find out it is a scam) puts you on a priority list with them.
__________________
All steel from pedal to wheel
Dick Steinkamp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 11:22 AM   #4
abachman3
Senior Member
 
abachman3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Western Springs, IL
Posts: 323
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

You have his check, cash it and when it comes back insufficient funds etc, now you have a case for law enforcement as it is a bad check.
abachman3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 11:40 AM   #5
Railcarmover
BANNED
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,262
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

What the perpetrator is proposing is not a crime,its only when you are defrauded does a crime occur.
Railcarmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 12:11 PM   #6
Keith True
Senior Member
 
Keith True's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Epping N.H.
Posts: 2,969
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
The check coming from Atlanta means nothing.I'm sure you've all seen ads where you get paid to address and mail advertisements and such.It was always a legitimate thing,you got a few cents each to do hundreds of them.They get a box of 500,1000,whatever number it happens to be with an address list.The people in Atlanta,or whatever city they are in does their part and mails them out.The people actually doing the mailing have no idea what they are sending out.They are performing a legit service for people that are not so legit.An FBI guy working the Nigerian 419 scam told us about a woman that had sent out thousands of these scam letters.she had also sent out hundreds of thousands of letters for Sears,LL BEAN,siding,roofing,and window people.It was just another day in the life of a disabled home worker.Where you are having interaction with him your situation sounds a little different.
Keith True is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 12:13 PM   #7
California Travieso
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Moreno Valley, CA
Posts: 940
Send a message via Yahoo to California Travieso
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Quote:
Originally Posted by abachman3 View Post
You have his check, cash it and when it comes back insufficient funds etc, now you have a case for law enforcement as it is a bad check.
abachman3,

I agree completely with your advice. In fact, I would tell the guy that I will deposit it and as soon as the bank indicates that the check has cleared and the funds have been withdrawn from his account, I will send him the funds. I would add, that, there will be a significant processing fee for my trouble.

I believe attempted fraud is a crime but it's very difficult to prove so most jurisdictions don't think it's worthwhile to prosecute such a crime unless the amount is significant.

David Serrano
California Travieso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 02:27 PM   #8
Dick Steinkamp
Senior Member
 
Dick Steinkamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 1,163
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Quote:
Originally Posted by abachman3 View Post
You have his check, cash it and when it comes back insufficient funds etc, now you have a case for law enforcement as it is a bad check.
If law enforcement got involved with every check that bounced, that's all they would do. Not a crime unless the person received the goods or services and paid with a check that bounced and never made it good. Even in those cases, law enforcement would never get involved, just the courts (maybe).

In this case, the scammer will not have received the services (the barn rental) and never will. Not even the courts would get involved.


Don't overthink this. Let it go.
__________________
All steel from pedal to wheel
Dick Steinkamp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 03:04 PM   #9
WTSHNN
Senior Member
 
WTSHNN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,413
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Most PD's won't take a report until there is a monetary loss. Even then it'll be hard to do much of anything with it.

If you have contact info for Atlanta consider reporting to the Georgia Attorney General and see if they are interested in any of it.

-Tim
__________________
No one wants advice - only corroboration.
-John Steinbeck
WTSHNN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 05:53 PM   #10
MickeyT
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Texas
Posts: 195
Send a message via MSN to MickeyT Send a message via Yahoo to MickeyT
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Better check with your bank. Deposit a bad check and you will probably be getting charged a returned check fee.
What I do is get their hopes up and string them along as long as I can.
MickeyT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 08:53 PM   #11
Brian SATX
Senior Member
 
Brian SATX's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 819
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

MickeyT is correct that you need to check with your bank. Most banks have a returned fee for checks that bounce, usually $35 or more. Sadly, you have little recourse except to play with the guy if you have time for that.
__________________
Brian SATX
Brian SATX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 09:57 PM   #12
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Contact the postal inspector.


If you believe you've been victimized by a scam involving the U.S. Mail, you can get help by contacting your nearest Postal Inspection Service office in one of three ways: Call 1-877-876-2455 (press option “4” to report suspected mail fraud). Visit postalinspectors.uspis.gov to report suspected fraud online.
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 10:01 PM   #13
al's28/33
Senior Member
 
al's28/33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 1,588
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Dean you are the owner and can thus stipulate in your contract..... "Owner has the right to refuse business with anyone."
__________________
1928 "A" Phaeton (mid year with many early features)
1933 "V8" Closed-Cab Pickup Truck
(originally a Model B, 4 Cylinder dating to May, 1933)
al's28/33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2019, 02:01 AM   #14
Bill G
Senior Member
 
Bill G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Posts: 1,044
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Recourse? I think your recourse is to stay away from them and don't fall for it. There will never be an end to people trying to separate others from their money. Unfortunately!

I work at a bank. You would not believe the number of forged and bogus checks there are out there where people send a bogus check to someone hoping they fall for their schemes. And many intelligent and cautious people still wind up getting bilked by the schemers. In the end, we are our own protection.

Be cautious and be diligent.
Bill G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2019, 08:09 AM   #15
Oldbluoval
Senior Member
 
Oldbluoval's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN)
Posts: 2,359
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Most bad check charges are when one writes bad checks on their account
Not for a dishonored deposit. At least that’s what I’ve seen and I’m a retired cpa that has seen lots of client books
Oldbluoval is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2019, 08:53 AM   #16
eagle
Senior Member
 
eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

You can make it expensive for him. Make him send you the check certified mail, then refuse it. It'll cost him a few bucks.
__________________
"There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."
eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2019, 09:52 AM   #17
Tacoma Bob
Senior Member
 
Tacoma Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Send the overage back to him with Monopoly money Dean.
Tacoma Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2019, 10:01 AM   #18
Dick Steinkamp
Senior Member
 
Dick Steinkamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 1,163
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Quote:
Originally Posted by al's28/33 View Post
Dean you are the owner and can thus stipulate in your contract..... "Owner has the right to refuse business with anyone."
That hasn't been true since 1964.
__________________
All steel from pedal to wheel
Dick Steinkamp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2019, 10:20 AM   #19
BILL WILLIAMSON
Senior Member
 
BILL WILLIAMSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Some invent unknowned ailments & sell their "poo-poo" flakes to cure it!!!
Bill W.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"
BILL WILLIAMSON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2019, 06:34 PM   #20
Hicktick
Senior Member
 
Hicktick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Hickory Tavern , SC
Posts: 422
Default Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam

Put the check in an envelope and leave it on a bus or a park bench in the right area .
Somebody will fix it for you
__________________
Sometimes I want to say ,,You should have bought a Shay.
Hicktick is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:58 PM.