The Cashiers Check Scam

You have probably heard of this one where some guy puts something up for sale and along comes a cashiers check from a gentleman made out for “x” amount over the asking price. The honest seller contacts the buyer and tells him the check is written for more money than the asking price. The nice gentleman says,“sorry about that, just send me back a cashiers check for the difference and thanks.” The seller does just that and a few days later his bank contacts him telling him the check he deposited a few days ago was bogus! Can you believe this happens frequently?

I advertised my motor home a few years ago on the internet and started getting E-mails from several foreign countries. This got me to thinking about how to handle the transaction as I used to believe that a cashiers check was golden. So I asked my bank about it and they told me with modern printers etc. counterfeit cashiers checks were common.  They informed me the only way to go was to wire the money electronically. Big problem here is you have to give the other party your routing and account numbers. I could see ID theft in the making and decided to take a different approach. Here is what I did

I opened a new savings account, had the money wired from the buyers bank as I was standing at my banks terminal. The money was verified before I released the title. We then transferred the money from the new account into the old account and canceled the new one.


ID Theft

Here is the Federal Trade Commissions explanation of identity theft.

“How can someone steal your identity? Identity
theft occurs when someone uses your personal
information such as your name, Social Security
number, credit card number or other identifying
information, without your permission to commit
fraud or other crimes.

Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose
identities have been stolen can spend months or
years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning up
the mess thieves have made of their good name and
credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose
job opportunities, be refused loans, education,
housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes
they didn't commit.” 

The Federal Trade Commission has a great web site on this issue at .www.consumer.gov/idtheft

  Your Check Is In The Mail.--Right?

If you saw the movie Catch Me If You Can, you may remember how the thief did something with checks to change everything except the original signature. Here is how it works. You put your signed check in your mail box to pay a bill, just like always. Except this time someone gets your check and pastes a piece of cellophane tape over the front and back of your signature. Then he or she places your check in a pan of nail polish remover (containing acetone) for about 30 minutes. This lifts anything that is not printers ink, except for your tape protected signature. It is then blow dried and flattened in a book, the tape is carefully removed and guess what? He or she has a blank check signed by you! Look out bank account!

Only one type of ink will protect you from this scam and that is the kind found in gel pens. Frank Abagnale who was the real thief, and now consults for law enforcement and corporations recommends the uni-ball Gel Impact pen. Cost about $2.00 at any office supply store. He also suggest you use this for contracts and other important documents. I for one will take his advice
 

  Car Jackers New Scheme

You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. Then you lock all of your doors, start the engine and shift into reverse. When you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So you shift into park, unlock your doors and hop out of your vehicle to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. More than likely you left the engine running and your purse on the seat, if you are a lady. As you reach for the piece of paper your car speeds away. Could ruin your entire day!

 Watch out for this scam!

Scenario--

A ladie was approached by 2 men and 2 women in a car. The man that was
driving asked her 'What kind of perfume do you wear?' She was a bit confused and asked him 'Why?' He said, 'We are selling some name brand perfumes, at cheap prices.' She said she had no money.

He then reached out of the car and handed her a paper that was laminated; it had many perfumes on it. She looked quickly at it and gave it back. She said, “I have no money.” He said it is OK, we take check, cash, or credit cards. Then the people in the car began to laugh.

She just got in her car and said no thanks. Then she received this e-mail
yesterday and it sent chills up my spine. Please read this. It is no joke. Here is the e-mail.

Dear Friends:
I know not all of you are women that I am sending this to, but I am
hoping you will share this with your wives, daughters, mothers,
sisters, etc. Our world seems to be getting crazier by the day. Pipe
bombs in mailboxes and sickos in parking lots with perfume. Be careful.

I was approached yesterday afternoon around 5:30 PM in the Walmart parking lot  by two males asking what kind of perfume I was wearing. Then they asked if I'd like to sample some fabulous scent they were willing to sell me at a very reasonable rate. I probably would have agreed had I not received an e-mail
warning of a "Want to smell this neat perfume?" scam.
 
The men continued to stand between parked cars, I guess to wait for someone else to hit on. I stopped a lady going towards them, pointing at them and told her about how I was sent an e-mail at work about someone walking up to you at the malls or
in parking lots and asking you to SNIFF PERFUME
that they are selling at a cheap price.

THIS IS NOT PERFUME...IT IS ETHER!

When you sniff it, you'll pass out. They'll take your wallet, your
valuables and heaven knows what else.

PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO ALL YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS AND PLEASE BE ALERT
AND BE AWARE. IF YOU ARE A MAN AND RECEIVE THIS, PASS IT ON TO YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS.