The Unemployed Mom

25 Responses to “Craigslist Scam Exposed: Bank Certified Check”

1. 

   Clark Haass
   

   Jul 11th, 2011
   

   Thanks! I just got the exact same e-mail and started to Google his address and found your post! Yusss!
2. 

   Guy Niederhauser
   

   Jul 13th, 2011
   

   This person got me to send my name, address, and phone number! What should I do now? Should I be worried?!
3. 

   The Unemployed Mom
   

   Jul 13th, 2011
   

   Just keep an eye out for suspicious activity with any of your accounts.
4. 

   Brian Schultz
   

   Jul 24th, 2011
   

   Just received this very email with similar MO. It seemed to quick and easy to sell this item and after finding your website sent a message indicating that my item already sold.

   ‘Thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate it and just so you know; I’m okay with the condition, the price and I’m ready for the purchase plus I’m willing to add an extra $20 so as to have it reserved in my favor. My form of payment will be by Check and it will be send via courier service which will be delivered to you between 1-2days. I’ll be responsible for the pick-up besides the movers/pick up money will be included with your payment so as to avoid delay and to enable movers to schedule an appropriate time for the pick-up at your location after the check is been cashed as I have other properties to be moved alongside yours. I would have really loved to come for the inspection but due to my work frame it just won’t fit in my schedule but more pictures will be deeply appreciated. Kindly get back to me with your full name, mailing address and phone number so as to make out the payment to you ASAP. Many thanks’

   Real buyers would dicker on price so I was surprised and skeptical. Your page confirmed by suspicions. Thanks!
5. 

   The Unemployed Mom
   

   Jul 24th, 2011
   

   Hi Brian. This response below is what I have been using with spammers on Craigslist. I made up the name Agent Johnson, but the address and phone number are real. I have never received a response after responding with this.

   Send the check to Agent Johnson at FBI Headquarters
   935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
   Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
   (202) 324-3000
6. 

   phil
   

   Jul 25th, 2011
   

   I got the same email as Bruce and your page was very helpful to me, thanks!
7. 

   Anonymous
   

   Jul 28th, 2011
   

   Yep, the guy hit me too. Got my name, address cell phone number before I caught on.
8. 

   Anonymous
   

   Aug 27th, 2011
   

   I got the exact same thing! I am freaking out right now? I gave him my name, address and phone number. I even have the check he sent me. I felt a little suspicious so I started googling the address he wanted me to wire the money to. Plus the fact that he was hurrying me in every email he sent. Should I be worried that he has my name, address and cell number? I emailed him last night calling him out on his actions but of course I didn’t get anything back. What should I do with the check? I am freaking out!!! Please advise.
9. 

   AAH
   

   Sep 24th, 2011
   

   HERE IS MY RESPONSE TO THE SCAMMER WHO KEEPS WRITING ME FROM: Mattew100@gmail.com and jim.berger59@gmail.com

   MY RESPONSE TO SCAMMER:
   YOU NEVER CALLED ME. And, I never answered my phone saying that you had or have the wrong number. what I do believe is that you do not know how many SCAMS you have running because any smart person would keep track. (Hint: you sent two checks for $2950.00 from two different companies) I work with Law Enforcement Agencies and know a scam when I see one. Its just a matter of time before we track YOU down. Play games if you want to and I will have your ass skinned from left to right. The checks that you sent WILL NOT be cashed, YOUR driver WILL NOT pick up any items that I have for sale, and YOU WILL NOT threaten me from this email forward. I have sent both Federal Express envelopes and it’s contents to the lab for fingerprint and DNA analysis. Also, your email addresses are being tracked using the IP Address of the computers that are being used. So do me a favor, please continue your quest to the CIA and FBI as previously mentioned so that together we can shut your operation down and arrest your small time crook operation and seize your property(ies), bank account(s), etc.

   Sincerely,

   AAH

   In a message dated 9/24/2011 6:10:44 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jim.berger59@gmail.com writes:

   Hello,
   Are you trying to play me cos i did not understand you.and the
   payment as been to you now… Moreover i try to call you
   your phone you pick up the phone and saying it a wrong number. i don’t
   want you to play act funny with my hard earn money..Pls better get in
   touch with me with the shipping fund and the best time for the mover
   to come pick up of the item…cos you told me that you will take care
   of every thing today…..i will be forced to contact the CIA
   and the local police.and i believe those one should make proper
   information to the FBI.cos i don’t understand your silence.Get back to
   me or if you think that you are smart you no that
   i have all your information with me…good day

10. Craigslist Scam – Embarking On Business Trip, Need To Send Bank Official Check | The Unemployed Mom
    

    Oct 6th, 2011
    

    [...] Bank Certified Check Scam [...]
11. 

    Jeef
    

    Oct 16th, 2011
    

    Anyone that responds to those emails is dumb as a rock.
    You probably voted for Obama.

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    Jan 4th, 2012
    

    [...] Bank Certified Check Scam [...]
13. 

    Keri
    

    Jan 17th, 2012
    

    i got an email from Steve Howell [ johnbruce77@gmail.com], it seems the scam from Craiglist. i just sent it to my junk email and block it from sender.
14. 

    Chris G
    

    Jan 26th, 2012
    

    We received an email from a guy who is interested in the item we placed on Craigs list of over $3,000. Here is the email we were given from him. There is no additional amount requested in payment and he is willing to wait for the bank to clear. Do you think it is a scam?
    We have already given him our phone number and first name. :

    “Thanks for the prompt response,i will like to proceed with thetransaction asap and my mode of payment will be via Bank certifiedcheck. However, to ease the pick up the item will be picked-up fromyou by my shipper once you receive and cash the check,i am willing towait for your bank to verify and clear the check before the shipperpickup the item therefore I’ll need this detail below to mail out thecheck. * The Full name on check* Mailing address (Deliverable Address)* Phone Number Proceed to delete the advert of this item if my mode of payment isaccepted and get back to me asap with your details to mail out thecertified check to you. Thanks”
15. 

    roguefate
    

    Jan 31st, 2012
    

    Chris G -

    I literally just received the same email and am wondering the same thing. Is this a scam? And, while I don’t know for sure, I believe that it IS in fact a scam. I’m spitting out the hook here before this person sets it and I end up dealing with a whole ration of BS that I don’t need.

    It’s interesting that they indicate a willingness to wait for their “bank certified check” to clear but a quick web search shows that certified checks CAN BE counterfeited. What’s more is that it can apparently take WEEKS to uncover the deception. I don’t know what happens then but I don’t care to find out.

    For whatever it’s worth, I am laying off of this and you’re probably better off to do so as well. Just my two cents on that.
16. 

    Tori
    

    Feb 7th, 2012
    

    I am so glad i researched this. I have only sold a few things on craigslist so i had never even heard of a bank certified check., until now. I am trying to sell my old prom/wedding dress and I put my # on the post since alot of people don’t have email. I had someone reply by text & ask if it was still avaliable, that they would love to have it. I text them back & said yes i still have it, and asked if they woulf like to try it on first. This is the response i recieved “Hello, thanks for the email,i am buying the dress for the bride as a a gift for her wedding.I am the pastor to the bride and really want to suprise her with this present.I am ok with the price of the dress and will also include an extra $100 for the shipping to the bride’s residents and please let me know if the money if not enough for the shipping.My mode of payment will be through Bank Certified”…. scam????
17. 

    The Unemployed Mom
    

    Feb 7th, 2012
    

    Hi Tori, sounds like a total scam! Wow, they are now imitating a pastor to persuade sellers to fall for it, that is pretty darn low! Glad you were smart and researched it! Good luck selling your gown!
18. 

    Allison
    

    Feb 20th, 2012
    

    Just some food for thought: if they can get a certified check, they’d also be able to withdraw cash in order to pay you. Would you be willing to pay for something you’ve never seen, without having some sort of contract of payment or buyer protection? The seller would likely run off with your money and you’d never see the item.

    I’m amused that the one scammer threatens to notify the CIA, since the CIA has no domestic jurisdiction and only deals with foreign matters.
19. 

    The Unemployed Mom
    

    Feb 20th, 2012
    

    Exactly Allison. I think some sellers get so excited about selling that sometimes they let details like that slide. I INSIST on cash only and I still get numerous scam messages for all my items. It’s unreal. While I appreciate the option to sell locally on Craigslist (and for free), it’s such a hassle.
20. 

    Eric
    

    Feb 22nd, 2012
    

    My wife just received the below message from ‘Paul Miller’ (pmiller0931@hotmail.com) after responding to a Private Tutoring Post on Craigslist. It appears as though the post has been removed.

    Dear Tutor,
    I want my daughter Julie for the tutorial on basics of English and she is 10yrs old and i want you to be available to teach her as soon as possible.I’m satisfied with your resume and I’m happy to offer you this position due to your experience and qualification.I have made contact with Julie concerning the arrangement of the tutor which made her feel more happy and comfortable . I want you to know that i am going to pay for 4weeks,which should be $40.00/hr which i have in mind,i am planning that you will be teaching her 3times a week,which is 2hours per day.

    I want you to calculate the total cost of 4weeks for the {English} Subject and the teaching materials you will need for 4week including the textbooks.When will you be available to teach her during the week so specify your comfortable date and time? I want her to study more about what she need to know when she arrive to Seattle, WA and she can communicate in English with you and you will need to work on the Spelling,reading,Writing and pronunciation and more other things you notice while teaching her and also i want her to improve morally.Julie is very quiet,intelligent,obedient and understanding easy to get along with her and she love to dance.I will need your comfort time and day.She is in grade 8 and her first language is Spanish.

    I will be paying you via Certified Check for the tutorial which i will also pay the Guardian that will be taking care of her for the whole period and the Guardian would bring her down to you wherever you believe it will be comfortable for you to have the tutorial start at your local library.I will proceed as soon as possible and once you receive the payment you will deduct total cost of tutor for 4weeks including the teaching materials cost and and you will remit the balance to the Guardian that will be taking care of her, which the information will be giving to you upon the confirmation of payment.

    I will need your full information as its been requested to process the payment so it can be mail out on-time without any delay.I hope i can trust you that you will teach her good academics and some moral respects so that she can be good to their self in the future and the economy, i hope i can also count on you for the tutorial and the money to be sent to the Guardian. Julie would be coming down to stay with the Guardian for the whole period and my Guardian will take care of her.I would be glad if the tutor start next week.I wait your full information so i can proceed on the payment immediately.

    FULL NAME:
    MAILING ADDRESS (no P.O.Box please):
    CITY:
    STATE:
    ZIP CODE:
    CELL PHONE:
    HOME PHONE:
    GENDER:
    PRESENT JOB:
    BEST TIME TO CALL:
    EMAIL:Will be waiting to read your mail soon.
    Regards
    Paul
21. 

    The Unemployed Mom
    

    Feb 22nd, 2012
    

    Wow, these scammers are totally low! I cannot believe they are preying on tutors. Thanks for reporting!
22. 

    shelly
    

    Mar 29th, 2012
    

    I also got an email from steve howell (johnbruce77@gmail.com). This is also a scam from craigslist.

    I apreciate the fact that you still have it available and i will also like to purchase it asap i am very much okay with the price and condition but i wont be chanced to come around to check it properly but i will believe your word,as i’m so busy for now and am purchasing it for my church so as to change the present one thats faulty.i will be making my payment by bank check which will clear your bank before my shippers come for pick up which will be mailed out first thing monday morning and will be delivered to you through fedex.My shipper will come for the pick up as soon as payment is certified by your bank.also the shipping fee would be handled by me which i will include with your money and and you will get it to them as soon as you have the cash at hand.I’m asking you to do this for me cos my schedule for now is very tight and I need to get this for the church as they need it seriously now i dont mind adding up extra $50,I will be more than glad if it can be sold to me. Email me back with FULL NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS with your phone number for the check, write back soon. Regards
23. 

    Joe
    

    Apr 17th, 2012
    

    Got the exact same thing. I put a washer/dryer up for sale on craigslist for $350. These people ended up sending me a check for $2750. The check looks legit. Before I even considered taking it to the bank, I did some online research on every address, name and business associated with the check and found it to be a scam. I’m going to make photo copies of the check, the envelope it came in, and every email they sent me and hand it over to the FBI. They appear to be based out of Coral Gables, FL, so there isn’t anything my local PD can do about it as far as I’m aware. I hope these low life scums get anally raped in prison every day for the rest of their lives.
24. 

    Gaby
    

    Apr 18th, 2012
    

    This just happened to me. I have the check they sent me. What do i do?????

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    Apr 24th, 2012
    

    [...] Bank Certified Check Scam [...]

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