The renter says he had trouble previously because he had been in a coma for 6 months and presumed dead. Now wants me to be his legal guardian and have the $1600 check deposited. $1600 is what he paid for his last condo rental.
It sounds very strange, but is it illegal?? Am I helping him launder Disability money?? Is this a common type scam?? What should I do or what to ask him for in order to see if its legit??
2007-10-30 16:45:52 · 11 answers · asked by James H 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Don't do it. There are a lot of scams around where you are given a 3rd-party check for more than the amount you are owed and asked to refund to the giver the extra - then the original check turns out to be fake and you're out whatever you refunded. Tell him to put it into a checking account of his own and write you a check from there, or give you a money order, for the right amount.
The whole coma/presumed dead thing makes no sense at all, so sounds like he's trying to run some kind of a con on you.
2007-10-30 16:52:53 · answer #1 · answered by Judy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's a scam. The check is no good. This is a VERY common type of scam. I had someone call me wanting piano lessons for their son who was going to be in the US for several months. Wanted to send me a check for double the amount, then have me wire the difference to his "nanny." They sent the check, and everything. Ended up being a fake check... fake account, bank, everything. What will happen is that you will try to deposit the check & it won't clear. YOU will then be questioned for fraud.
Have you met the guy in person? At the very least, I'd ask for a blank check... then call the bank on it to see it the account is legit and how much money is in it. If you haven't even met him in person, then it's definitely a scam.
2007-10-30 23:55:51 · answer #2 · answered by piano teacher 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like a common scam that has been going around. What happens is that you get a check, deposit it into your account, and give some of the money to the scammer. Several weeks later your bank informs you that the check is fake and you are on the hook for the money. I would definitely proceed with caution on this one.
2007-10-30 23:54:20 · answer #3 · answered by bayshorebabydoll 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
depending on where the check is from can depend on how long the processing will take it can take a few weeks or more for the check to clear. by then its too late you already gave the scammer their money and now you have bounced check fees and owe your bank money. dont do it--tell the renter to get a Money order or pay you in cash. mostly likely is a scam if you have doubts then its probably a bad idea
2007-10-31 00:08:33 · answer #4 · answered by nikkylyn 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If the check bounces and it is already out of your account-
Y O U are out the money! Why can't he cash the check and give you yours?
p.s. legal guardian means something legal has to happen! Like he's declared incompetent?
There are other people out there, if he can't come up with the money, move on! You don't want to start a tenant relationship on this note. treat them like we should our kids-hold the line from the start and the problems are fewer. My 8 year old knows the saying too bad-so sad! NEXT.
2007-10-31 01:04:53 · answer #5 · answered by helprhome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds fishy. Why would he want you to be his legal guardian?
This is very similar to some of the other 3rd party check scams that are going around.
Try contacting your State's Attorney General's office for information on this kind of scam. They usually have very good consumer protection infomation.
2007-10-31 00:09:53 · answer #6 · answered by Hatlady 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you have to ask, you already know the answer. Send him on his merry way unless your career goal is to have a felony record and spend time in a federal prison.
What's to stop him from saying you initiated all this to steal his disability checks?
You're not that desperate for a renter and as a landlord, you are always the one who must prove you did everything legal from square one.
2007-10-30 23:54:31 · answer #7 · answered by G N A 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My husband gets a disability check, and what you should do is first see if it's issued by the state or not. If it's private, then before you deposit it, you can ask your bank to call to see if it's legit, and the funds will clear.
2007-10-31 00:07:05 · answer #8 · answered by SoSickWitIt! 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's definitely a scam. If he needs you to cash his check you'll end up paying the restitution and NSF fees because the check is either stolen or fake.
2007-10-30 23:54:20 · answer #9 · answered by ro 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I dont see a scam as a disability receiver, maybe he doesnt have a checking of his own and the check is deposited on time each month with direct deposit. disability pay depends on your income he made in the past, that is on record from the IRS it is not by word. I understand your question because it is wierd.
2007-10-30 23:56:54 · answer #10 · answered by reeree 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋