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03-30-2019, 09:42 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Posts: 997
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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. |
03-30-2019, 10:10 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Posts: 49
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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).
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03-30-2019, 11:03 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 1,163
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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.
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03-30-2019, 11:22 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Western Springs, IL
Posts: 324
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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.
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03-30-2019, 11:40 AM | #5 |
BANNED
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,262
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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.
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03-30-2019, 12:11 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Epping N.H.
Posts: 3,000
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Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam
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03-30-2019, 12:13 PM | #7 | |
Senior Member
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Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam
Quote:
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 |
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03-30-2019, 02:27 PM | #8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 1,163
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Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam
Quote:
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.
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03-30-2019, 03:04 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,414
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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
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03-30-2019, 05:53 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
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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. |
03-30-2019, 08:53 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 821
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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.
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Brian SATX |
03-30-2019, 09:57 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
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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.
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03-30-2019, 10:01 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 1,592
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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."
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03-31-2019, 02:01 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Posts: 1,047
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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. |
03-31-2019, 08:09 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN)
Posts: 2,377
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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 |
03-31-2019, 08:53 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,027
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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.
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03-31-2019, 09:52 AM | #17 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 1,027
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Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam
Send the overage back to him with Monopoly money Dean.
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03-31-2019, 10:01 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 1,163
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Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam
That hasn't been true since 1964.
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All steel from pedal to wheel |
03-31-2019, 10:20 AM | #19 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
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Re: Any recourse for this recurring scam
Some invent unknowned ailments & sell their "poo-poo" flakes to cure it!!!
Bill W.
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03-31-2019, 06:34 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Hickory Tavern , SC
Posts: 422
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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
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