It's very, very likely a scam. Tell them you will only accept a cashier's check from a nationally recognized bank that also has a branch in your area. They will run away faster than you can say 'boo'. Also, keep in mind that TTY services are NOT restricted to US use. There are internet to TTY services (free) that will allow someone anywhere on the internet to use the US TTY service to call someone. All funded by our taxes, of course. They are supposed to be restricted. The TTY portion of the scam is very common for this type of check fraud scam. I have a few deaf friends, and I would not want it any other way, but every public good can and will be abused. -Adam On 1/15/08, Mike Hord wrote: > So, I think someone is trying to scam me out of some cash. > > I've been trying to sell my car online for a few months now > (okay, 8 months) and last night I got a TTY relay call from a > (putatively) deaf person claiming interest in the car. They > asked me to e-mail, which I did, and I got a response back > asking for my address, phone, full name, etc., and tell me > that they'll be sending a check for purchase price, plus > $200, plus the cost of "shipping", and I will pay the shipping > company and then the shipper will come pick the car up. > > I'm dubious. I'm willing to give them a little leeway, but I'm > pretty sure it's a scam. It sounds a lot like this: > http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Scam/ > > I may just string them along a bit. I could use my work > address and have them send the check here, and they > obviously already have my phone number. I think the whole > deaf thing was just to incur sympathy, provide an explanation > for not dealing with me directly, and mask their origin phone > number (after all, I'm sure the relay organization considers > that private information that they will not share). > > However, the fact of their calling and using relay means that > they are probably here in the States, if not inside Minnesota, > so if I can string this out and get them sending me a > counterfeit check, I can probably get them arrested. > > I like that thought. > > Mike H. > > PS- anyone wanna buy a car? > http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/534535539.html > > > COMPLETE TEXT OF E-MAILS FOLLOWS- just for fun. > > I'm sorry, but the details of this transaction seem a little odd to me. > > Can you please explain a little more exactly what you intend to happen? > As I understand it, you are proposing to send me a check for the > purchase price of the car, plus shipping and handling, and then I send > the shipping and handling fee to a third party who will come get the > car. I would prefer it if you would pay the shipper directly, but I would > be willing to remit to the shipper upon pickup provided you allow my > bank sufficient time to verify the means of payment. > > Please let me know how you would like to proceed. Thanks! > > Mike > > On Jan 14, 2008 6:20 PM, Scam Buyer wrote: > > Hello, > > > > Thanks very much for your email,you have to bear with me as I have > > hearing problems.this is to make final reconfirmation of the car ,and also > > to let you know that payment will be,certified USPS (United States Postal > > Service)or check and also want to alert you on the fact that you will be > > receiving the (check/money order) this WEEK OR NEXT ,which will cover the > > money for the (pickup)and shipping as well as the money to be paid to the > > person that will take care of the pickup with you. So please,as soon as you > > receive the (check/money order),cash it immediately, > > and send the remaining balance to the shipper in Immediately so that the > > shipper could arrange for the pickup.. > > I will pay you an extra $200 if you reserve this for me. > > S o in view of the above, here are some of the details I will need for > > final issuance of the (check/money order) to you. > > > > 1) Full Name... > > (2) Your physical mailing address.... > > (3) your direct telephone number... > > (4) acceptance of my offer.. > > (5) final price... > > > > After which i will give you the details of my shipper. > > once the above information is given you will be issue. > > Hope to hear from you immediately > > > > Regard > > > > > > > >> Mike Hord wrote: > >> Hello- > >> > >> You just called about my Jetta. I do still have it, and I'm asking > >> $11,000 for it. > >> > >> If you'd like to come take a look, just let me know when and we'll > >> work something out. I check my e-mail fairly frequently during the > >> day, less so in the evenings. > >> > >> Just let me know! > >> > >> Mike > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Moving in southeast Michigan? Buy my house: http://ubasics.com/house/ Interested in electronics? Check out the projects at http://ubasics.com Building your own house? Check out http://ubasics.com/home/ -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist