Classified Ad Warning

[richard5933]

I've had my bus listed on the BCM classified section for a while now, and till today the people contacting me have been legit and seemed honestly interested in the bus.

Today I had a strange text exchange, and I thought I'd mention it so that others were aware.

The exchange went quickly from "Is the bus still available? I'm interested in buying it at your asking price..." type of questions to "I'll be sending a driver to pick it up once you receive the cashier's check."

This went from 0-60 in about four text exchanges, and as soon as mention of a cashier's check came up I my red flags went up. Once I mentioned that I wouldn't accept a check of any type, the conversation suddenly ended. Even weirder was his hesitation to continue the conversation with a phone call after the first text message.

Without question this was someone trying to run some type of scam.

Just a heads up to anyone selling on BCM or any other online forum to be on the lookout for things like this.

[Tedsoldbus]

I had the same thing happen last year selling a JD Gator, and then a boat. Same reaction by me but then smelled a rat. I texted them to call me. That stopped it. I did not respond to the boat texts. They sent about 3 on the boat. All like you saw.
Not sure how they proceed if you get sucked in but it will end poorly I'm sure.

[Dave5Cs]

That scam has been going around for years. It normally comes from a fake phone that they will use through a service that actually changes the number to look local or close to your number and it actually comes from another country.
They would want to send you the check for more money than was needed and to just take what you needed for the sale and send back the rest in a check or cash. That is what it is all about.Just so you know.

[Jim Blackwood]

I've got one of those Nigerian checks tacked up on my bulletin board. Told the guy I'd lost it and he needed to send another one. He about lost it.

Jim

[Bus Lurker]

Richard, I've heard about fake cashier's checks out there.  The question is, how would someone like you selling a portable asset go about NOT getting scammed?

In the real estate world, possession of a property is usually not allowed for a couple of days after the close of escrow.  Maybe something like not allowing removal of the bus until cleared funds are in your account.

[richard5933]

Richard, I've heard about fake cashier's checks out there.  The question is, how would someone like you selling a portable asset go about NOT getting scammed?

In the real estate world, possession of a property is usually not allowed for a couple of days after the close of escrow.  Maybe something like not allowing removal of the bus until cleared funds are in your account.

I spoke to my banker yesterday, and the recommended route nowadays is to set up a 'burner' checking account, and then have the funds wired into that account. No title transfer and no transfer of actual property until the funds are received and available.

If the buyer doesn't have confidence in that process, or if they want some security that they won't pay the money and end up with nothing, then they can set up the transfer so that can do the transfer from here while they have eyes on the bus. I suppose using an escrow service is another option, but that would likely slow things down and require a legal-beagle type person of some variety.

When I bought my Airstream last year, I opened a bank account at a bank that had a branch in the town where the owner lived. After I flew out and inspected the trailer, we went to the branch together and were both present when the funds were transferred from my account to his.

There are ways to protect.

[rancher]

I hate listing anything for sale any more. Just as soon as the ad post hear comes the scam texts. I got lucky last summer and upgraded one of my farm tractors and was going to sell one and a guy that helps me put up firewood stopped by and saw I was cleaning up the one I was selling. The next day a guy he works with called and bought over the phone came and looked at it and took it and some equipment I had for it. I buy some farm equipment on online auctions and have had good luck with wiring the money and pickup the equipment. Never bought any think with engine without looking at it first.

[BusNit]

I usually think any response to my ads that begin with “Hello dear I’m interested in your….” Is one that gets deleted.