STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

lynnie · Chanel

how do those western union/africa money scams work?

wicked · Coach

http://www.bustedupcowgirl.com/scampage.html

lynnie · Chanel

well, i suppose i can always call the bank/wait for it to clear. What happened is nothing like those scams. I guess i just don't want a fake money order.

honey · Gucci

hmmm. i think you're okay. most of the scams that i've heard about involve transferring money between accounts. if you have a physical money order in your hands, i think you're okay.

laken1 · Hermes

I'd still be skeptical. I would be worried & would wait. Your bank should be pretty up to date on the scam so if you go in to a teller / supervisor & ask that would make me feel better. Banks get daily faxes / updates on scams. I don't claim to know the way this works, but I don't trust anything except Am Exp or Post office money orders these days......

Kitty · Hermes

Go to your bank and CASH the check and then deposit the money into your account as cash.

Seriously, sometimes it takes banks forever to find counterfeit checks and such (I used to work at a bank).

LexNVA · BCBG

Kitty wrote:

Go to your bank and CASH the check and then deposit the money into your account as cash. Seriously, sometimes it takes banks forever to find counterfeit checks and such (I used to work at a bank).

That's not always a good idea because, if that does come back fraudulent, then your bank can hold you accountable for it

Kitty · Hermes

LexNVA wrote:

Kitty wrote:

Go to your bank and CASH the check and then deposit the money into your account as cash. Seriously, sometimes it takes banks forever to find counterfeit checks and such (I used to work at a bank).

That's not always a good idea because, if that does come back fraudulent, then your bank can hold you accountable for it

Well, what other option is there? They jump through more hoops to make sure a check isn't counterfeit when they give out cash...so, I still think it's better than just depositing it.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Is there a way you can take it to a Western Union to make sure it's legit? Otherwise there is no way I'd send out those shoes until the money order clears.

asf · Kate Spade

i have no idea, but as an upstate nyer i can say that hannaford's is a real chain up here. it sounds to me like it's probably legit, but again, i don't really know. good luck.

ayo · Coach

uhmm why do you think this is an African money scam? Most ones I'm aware of don't really go the ebay/western union route....

lynnie · Chanel

ayo wrote:

uhmm why do you think this is an African money scam? Most ones I'm aware of don't really go the ebay/western union route....

I just didn't know what they were called- i meant the nigerian pyramid scheme ones, but there are so many of them from people based in foreign countries according to ebay and craigslist, etc. I was just concerned because she was registered in belgium, it seems legit, just wasn't sure because she seemed like she didnt want to use paypay and then flaked when i said i'd accept a usps money order.

Mandy · Kate Spade

from what i understand most of the time with money order scams they will send you one for over the amount that you are asking and will ask you for the difference. if she is paying the exact amount, i would think you are ok.