scams (!!?)

[jimbob92c]

My brother just e-mailed me that he received a packet from "Search International" saying that he had some money coming from someplace........and all he needed to do was sign a form which guaranteed the above named company to 25% of the proceeds. No bank account numbers, S.S. numbers, or invasive privacy inquiry. They also provided a list of law firms and attorneys that they work with. My brother searched the net and found all the firms listed ( fake web sites perhaps?)....He was wondering if I received a packet also.....I hadn't. But last year I had someone contact me saying I was due money......from some long lost relative or something. It had to be a fake....none of my relatives ever had any money ;) ......

Anyone else hear of something like this?

Also....I may have been duped myself as of late. I visit a guitar web site quite a bit. I asked for information about a certain product ( special amplifier tubes called Yellow Jackets). A guy piped up that he had a new set he'd sell for $20.00 less than the going price. I sent off a money order to him ( in New York) exactly a week ago today. I e-mailed him last night asking if he received the check....no answer yet. I suppose someone out there also has a bridge to sell me.... Final question....are the numbers on the bottom of a money order my personal bank routing numbers? Please tell me no......

OK...go ahead and let the 'ol rube have it.....

Jim

[sstodvictory]

I've received that scam a bunch of times.

Another one I recently encountered at work is a letter that was received by one of the inventors that was listed on a U.S. patent. It said the maintainence fees were due and to send $125 to an address to ensure that the patent stays in force. She didn't fall for it, but it might work on some inventors that don't know the procedures.

Such notices are always sent by the USPTO, and usually to the law firm that prepared the application, not to the inventors.

Steve

[RickJ]

Final question....are the numbers on the bottom of a money order my personal bank routing numbers? Please tell me no......

OK...go ahead and let the 'ol rube have it.....

Jim


I think the numbers on a money order are a routing number, but only for the money order. They aren't for your personal bank accounts.

[RickJ]

Also, it's only been a week since you sent the money, and it's a holiday week to boot. Maybe he's out of town? Was it someone who posted regularly on the other site?

I tend to give people the benefit of a doubt, and don't get too worried until a few weeks have passed. Hopefully you'll get the parts you ordered.

[Choirguy]

I had an interesting one the other day...an e-mail asking you to accept deliveries of electronics, and then to ship them overseas, and paying you above and beyond the costs you spend for shipment.

I thought about it for a minute, and then hit delete.

Too good to be true.

[Sparky_Bill]

I had an interesting one the other day...an e-mail asking you to accept deliveries of electronics, and then to ship them overseas, and paying you above and beyond the costs you spend for shipment.

I thought about it for a minute, and then hit delete.

Too good to be true.

Not only too good to be true but you could end up dealing with the law ON that one. They are using stolen credit cards and need a good address to send the stuff to. Then you send it on to the address they are at. Kind of like a middle man, you will be left going to jail.

[Chris 2]

Jim if that money order was purchased at your bank it has the banks routing # on it Now if you think it is a scam you can cancel the money order, how ever the bank will ask you to sign an affidavit as to why, seems theres a scam where people purchase money orders to get the routing#'s then canceling them , use that to make counterfeits ,(Iasked my bride she's a bank operations officer) and she see's tons of scams counterfeits kiting so on so forth.. :gun: and as far as found money most states and the feds have web sites posting unclaimed money property etc.... :D

[sks700]

I got the Nigerian Bank scam e-mail the other day. "A long lost relative of yours died leaving a huge estate please contact immediately..........Blah,Blah,Blah :TheFinger

[JohnnyIron]

I had an interesting one the other day...an e-mail asking you to accept deliveries of electronics, and then to ship them overseas, and paying you above and beyond the costs you spend for shipment.

I thought about it for a minute, and then hit delete.

Too good to be true.

I heard about this one. They send you a money order that is not good. And by the time you get notice that the money order is not good, you have already sent the item and you are stuck with the bill.