It finally happened: I advertised on Craigslist to sell a tow bar hitch, I got a generous reply and a check for $1,400 over asking price with instructions to keep an extra $50 and give the balance to the shipping company that would contact me.
Linda at Banner Bank and I got together and checked the company check that it was drawn on and the bank that supposedly had the account. The company and bank was in Massachusetts and both were happy we contacted them. Yes, it was a scam. I would have lost a bundle if I had deposited it in my bank; perhaps a bank would have to absorb some, but it would have been complicated and costly and discouraging if we had tried.
According to information I received, about 15 percent of recipients that get these ”scams” are so convinced that they are legit, they go ahead and deposit or cash the check and they lose, big time. Take heed, check with your bank and notify law enforcement. As Judge Judy says: If it is too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.
According to info received from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, there are numerous scams and frauds circulating. A partial list includes items supposedly sent from government agencies, legitimate businesses and corporations. They include: service member or veterans smishing, vishing and phishing; social security imposter scams; subpoena scams; tech support scams; and common text-message scamming. All are trying to separate you from your money. Funny thing, I got another message today from the same unidentified person with different info but a similar offer on another item.
I’ll report it and then destroy the check and if possible I’ll inform the bank and person whose name is on the check of a possible fraud.
