There is a "selling your furniture" scam going on (for sale, transfer)

[FlaLadyB]

One of my clients just got scammed out of $3000 this week. Here is her story - what I could get between the tears.

She was moving so she put her no longer wanted furniture up for sale in the paper. She also had photos of it on line. She got a call from someone who wanted to purchase her furniture. Great so far since everything is going for nothing at the moment.

The person sent her a cashiers check for the furniture and pick up. She called the bank where it was from and they verified that indeed that company (it was a company check) was real and the money was there. She took it to Wachovia and asked that it be verified that it was, in fact, a good/real check. They said yes. She deposited it.

Now you would think that verifying it both ways was enough. Well..read on.

The men came to pick up her furniture. Here is where I personally get mad. The men said that the money (another cashiers check my friend made out to them ,,from her account,,,for the buyer) was not enough and they refused to take the furniture. She talked to the buyer and she said she would pay the guys the difference. .. SHE GAVE THEM THE CHECK..

My friend, waiting for this to be cleared up, had written out checks for her bills in the meantime. NOW Wachovia says.....oh no...that cashiers check you deposited is not good. !!!!!!!!! Now talk about all her checks bouncing and the fees that go with that much less the explanations.

YEP ..it was a scam. Wachovia doesn't want to take responsibility even though they DID clear the check to her account. That part is now on -going.

Police say that this group is all over the place with the same scam and a LOT of people are falling for it and out of money.

So.. .how about cash transactions from now on...

BEWARE!

[Cotncndy30]

WOW!!! That is sad! I hope they catch the idiots (in some form or another)!!! My heart goes out to your friend. Hopefully Wachovia will realize their mistake and correct her bank account accordingly!

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by FlaLadyB

One of my clients just got scammed out of $3000 this week. Here is her story - what I could get between the tears.

She was moving so she put her no longer wanted furniture up for sale in the paper. She also had photos of it on line. She got a call from someone who wanted to purchase her furniture. Great so far since everything is going for nothing at the moment.

The person sent her a cashiers check for the furniture and pick up. She called the bank where it was from and they verified that indeed that company (it was a company check) was real and the money was there. She took it to Wachovia and asked that it be verified that it was, in fact, a good/real check. They said yes. She deposited it.

Now you would think that verifying it both ways was enough. Well..read on.

The men came to pick up her furniture. Here is where I personally get mad. The men said that the money (another cashiers check my friend made out to them ,,from her account,,,for the buyer) was not enough and they refused to take the furniture. She talked to the buyer and she said she would pay the guys the difference. .. SHE GAVE THEM THE CHECK..

My friend, waiting for this to be cleared up, had written out checks for her bills in the meantime. NOW Wachovia says.....oh no...that cashiers check you deposited is not good. !!!!!!!!! Now talk about all her checks bouncing and the fees that go with that much less the explanations.

YEP ..it was a scam. Wachovia doesn't want to take responsibility even though they DID clear the check to her account. That part is now on -going.

Police say that this group is all over the place with the same scam and a LOT of people are falling for it and out of money.

So.. .how about cash transactions from now on...

BEWARE!

How does Wachovia decertify a check. If it was a certified check when she deposited it they have no right to change that. I'd be taking that one to the consumer fraud people in whatever jurisdiction. Her complaint is with Wachovia

[TriMT7]

Craigslist has warnings about this on their web page.

Essentially, the scam is that the seller will be sent a money order for an amount over the asking price, and then ask for a personal check for the difference between the selling price and the amount of the money order. The money order initially clears, but then bounces as invalid, leaving the seller without their merchandise, and in the hole for whatever the difference was.

Someone tried to scam me like this when I was moving after grad school. The police should set up sting operations in situations like these.

Did your friend save the number or e-mail address of the people who called her originally?

[Lilybeans]

This happens all the time. You can actually stop payment on a certified check.

It doesn't matter when your bank makes the funds avalable to you. By federal law they have to do so withing 5 days even though it takes longer for checks to clear. If the check bounces, you are responsible, not the bank. It's in the fine print of the agreement you signed when you opened the account.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

This happens all the time. You can actually stop payment on a certified check.

It doesn't matter when your bank makes the funds avalable to you. By federal law they have to do so withing 5 days even though it takes longer for checks to clear. If the check bounces, you are responsible, not the bank. It's in the fine print of the agreement you signed when you opened the account.

Then what would be the purpose of certifying a check, I would file a complaint against the bank. Odds are you aren't going to collect off the scammer but the bank will probably pay up. Just because they make a rule doesn't make it law

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Then what would be the purpose of certifying a check, I would file a complaint against the bank. Odds are you aren't going to collect off the scammer but the bank will probably pay up. Just because they make a rule doesn't make it law

It is the law. The bank is not responsible. The customer is. It's been litigated many times. Wire transfers or cash is the best way to go.

[TriMT7]

I'd also like to point out that this happens all around the country. Craigslist warns about these scams in every state and city on its website.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

It is the law. The bank is not responsible. The customer is. It's been litigated many times. Wire transfers or cash is the best way to go.

Yeah, yeah I'd file the complaint and make the bank explain it.
I've won so many of these "Oh but the rules are" things I never listen to an opinion that isn't under oath

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Yeah, yeah I'd file the complaint and make the bank explain it.
I've won so many of these "Oh but the rules are" things I never listen to an opinion that isn't under oath

Ok, but trust me, you would be wasting your time. I've seen it myself a couple of dozen times.