Useful information
In the Washington Post today, there's an article (well, blog article) about how scammers will float cashier's checks and fool even normally savvy people. Here's another. This almost happened to me--last spring I was selling a makeup kit on eBay and was contacted by someone in Eastern Europe who said they wanted to buy it for a bridal shower--they also wanted to include cash (as part of the shower gift) so I should include an extra $200 in the package, for which I would be reimbursed by cashier's check. (And they would pay me an extra $200 for my trouble.) I'm thinking "how can you fake a cashier's check? If the bank says it's cleared, it's cleared." Very luckily, I happened to mention this to Doug, who immediately knew something was up. I forwarded the email to him and he wrote the eBayer who contacted me a blistering response--if I were at home, I could quote it because it was quite funny, something along the lines of "Hi there, asshole! You tried to rip off my girlfriend, and as a result you've just won a free investigation by the FBI! Have a nice day!" I didn't hear anything more from the scammer and I definitely dodged a bullet.
Anyway, my point is that even someone fairly internet- and scam-savvy can be fooled. All my eBay auctions are for smaller items--less than $100--so if someone from overseas contacts me again who seems to be even slightly suspicious, it's cash or nothing.
Anyway, my point is that even someone fairly internet- and scam-savvy can be fooled. All my eBay auctions are for smaller items--less than $100--so if someone from overseas contacts me again who seems to be even slightly suspicious, it's cash or nothing.