Insist on Western Union or nothing!

I say this because of a recent experience I had selling my '63 ragtop.  This
"broker" said he was going to wire the funds to my bank account.  Instead he
used the account information I sent him and sent a bogus cashier's check to
my bank.  They would have deposited it too, but I called the bank ahead of
time and asked them to call me if there was any suspicious activity.
Otherwise, I would have seen a deposit in my account and assumed it was a
legitimate wire transfer only to find out days later that the funds are no
good.  For some reason, cashier's check scams are extremely prevalant.  For
reasons I don't totally understand, it takes much longer for a cashier's
check to clear than other forms of payment, which gives the scam artist more
time to work.

The second part of this scam will be that he "accidentally" sends the wrong
amount -- he will overpay.  He will then ask you to wire him back the
difference, either to a Swiss bank account or to a Western Union account.
You take the money out of your account, send it to him, and then end up
liable.  Tell him Western Union, or no deal!

Chad
'89 Carat

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pat Callaghan" <patcal096@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 7:45 AM
Subject: QUESTION ABOUT AUTO BROKER

> Hi,
>
>     As you may well know, I am selling my 87 Westy.  I got a email from a
> guy named Tony Blewett.  I believe he is a auto broker.  He says he is
ready
> to send me a cashiers check for the price of the van & then arrange
> shipping.  I find it hard to believe that he is going to buy it site
unseen.
> Has anybody heard of this guy?  Is a cashiers check a safe way to accept
> payment?  If not what would be the best payment other then cash?  Any
advise
> from you guys(girls) would be appreciated.
>
> Pat Callaghan Jr.
> 87 Westy GL
> 90 626 LX
> Portland,OR.
> http://home.comcast.net/~patcal096
>