I resently listed online my spare rooms for rent. I've been getting alot of emails from ppl of different country with basicly the same story. I'm in South Africa or some other country, I want to move to the USA, I saw your listing can you sent me more information, do you accept advance payment and can hold the place for me..and so on and so on about their personal life. Somethings not right? if it is some form of fraud what can I do about it?
2007-06-20 04:53:33 · 4 answers · asked by moose 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
IT IS A SCAM! They did a report on it on TV about a year ago. Basically, what they do is send you a check for a higher amount and then ask you to send the difference back to them. The checks are no good and they are hoping that you wont wait for it to clear at your bank and that you will send them the money from your funds.
Be very careful. I would only deal with people that can hand you the check or money order face to face and I would definitely wait for it to clear.
2007-06-20 05:21:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call the police. They can't do anything, but they can tell you who to report it to.
I had something weird happen--I was selling CDs online. Somebody offered to buy like 200 CDs and sent me a check for a a higher amount. I was supposed to send the difference to someplace in Nigeria. I was getting suspicious so I called the bank that issued the check and it was no good. I emailed the guy back and told him, but he still insisted the check was good and I should send the money and the CDs. I called the police and they told me who to report this to. I'm sorry, but I can't remember the name of the agency. I think the police will be able to help you, though.
2007-06-20 12:11:34 · answer #2 · answered by majnun99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very difficult to verify out of country emails and currency so to be on the safe side just delete them and stick to those you can. It may not be fair -because someone from another country may be legit- but it is the only way you can be sure. If you wanted to rent to an out of country party you could check with the local embassy to see how to verify their information but with regulations and paperwork it may not be worth it in the long run. Just stick to local folks you can verify and keep it simple. Good Luck!
2007-06-20 12:03:08 · answer #3 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Odds are it sounds like a scam. If you reply they will probably send you a fake money order or something, maybe even try to get personal info from you. Hell not to mention trying to come to the USA they have go through a tiresome process. So I would ignore it if I were you.
2007-06-20 12:02:56 · answer #4 · answered by prodigychild_21 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋