Classifieds Scammer

[Sportster]

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP--

[mamamia54]

Received the same exact reply regarding my Coach bag for sale. Scammers are everywhere even on TOTV.

[DAVES]

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP--

Sadly WE tend to trust no one. I would ask your bank. As I understand it, a certified check means the money is frozen in his account against this issued check. He cannot stop payment, nor can it bounce. If, he agrees to send you the check PRIORITY MAIL,
you will have it in two days. Payment of more and requesting you cash his CERTIFIED check. I don't see any such request in your summary of his contact.

Just how I read it. Perhaps, like any advice I take no responsibility if, it goes wrong.
You can choose to simply reject his offer. You can choose to just not answer his e-mail.

[frose]

you can stop a certified check.

[tophcfa]

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP--

Got the exact same email referencing Barstools we have listed in the classifieds, substituting father in law instead of son in law. Our listing clearly states “cash only”. Definitely a scammer.

[retiredguy123]

I think the scam is to send you a counterfeit check that is not connected to any valid bank account.

[banjobob]

No Sale, cash only

[rsmurano]

Run away from this. It is a scam. You can get fake certified checks, I did a while back. I told the buyer I would wait for the check to deposit before sending item. He sent me the check, I called the issuing bank, and it was fake. Deal in cash only, local sale, and know what you are doing before using PayPal too. I never use PayPal as a seller, you have no rights

[Bridget Staunton]

It’s a scam I probably had a hundred of them.

[b0bd0herty]

Sadly WE tend to trust no one. I would ask your bank. As I understand it, a certified check means the money is frozen in his account against this issued check. He cannot stop payment, nor can it bounce. If, he agrees to send you the check PRIORITY MAIL,
you will have it in two days. Payment of more and requesting you cash his CERTIFIED check. I don't see any such request in your summary of his contact.

Just how I read it. Perhaps, like any advice I take no responsibility if, it goes wrong.
You can choose to simply reject his offer. You can choose to just not answer his e-mail.

It's a fake/counterfeit certified check... THAT is how this scam works. The bank will attempt to redeem it, the "issuing' bank will deny the claim and your bank will take the money out of your account. So, scammer has your bike (and any extra money from the check) and you have nothing.

[Priebehouse]

Haha! I received the exact same reply for a sofa and loveseat I have posted as well. These scum buckets need to get a JOB! Ain't getting nothing from me "Nicholas Pertus".

[skippy05]

You would be better served to donate that bike to Goodwill. Get their generic receipt and go online to their website to enter a value for the item and then write it off on your taxes. Or, deal with whoever might be showing up at your house instead.

[Luggage]

Actually PayPal I have 180 days and I've gotten my money back several times

[Luggage]

it's a scam but I think all of you should say yes let them send the checks and pay the two or $3 for priority mail and let them waste their money. They usually don't actually send it in the post postal mail as is a federal crime for fraud but they'll waste their money on a FedEx and that's the only way to get back at these guys

[retiredguy123]

it's a scam but I think all of you should say yes let them send the checks and pay the two or $3 for priority mail and let them waste their money. They usually don't actually send it in the post postal mail as is a federal crime for fraud but they'll waste their money on a FedEx and that's the only way to get back at these guys
I wouldn't recommend giving them your name, address, and phone number.

[DebGoen]

I received the exact same reply and sent my address and phone number in reply after an exchange of several emails. I won’t be so accepting again.

[noslices1]

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP--

Scam, tell them to send a postal money order instead of a certified check and then go to the post office to cash it.

[bowlingal]

THIS IS A SCAM!!!! do you have to ask? Jeez people wake up!

[PoolBrews]

This is a scam - I got the same message two days ago for an item - same email. Report the email to Crimes against Seniors.

[Sarahhayden]

Its a scam. Ive received the exact same message a dozen times. I simply tell people in my add that i accept cash and cash only now. It seems to have stoped a lot of the scams but not all. Scam are everywhere. Rather sad- WE just can't trust people like we use to.

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP--

[MaryAnne28]

I, too, received the same message from the same person. My reply ... cash, only. Never heard from him again.

[christine J Toft]

Sadly WE tend to trust no one. I would ask your bank. As I understand it, a certified check means the money is frozen in his account against this issued check. He cannot stop payment, nor can it bounce. If, he agrees to send you the check PRIORITY MAIL,
you will have it in two days. Payment of more and requesting you cash his CERTIFIED check. I don't see any such request in your summary of his contact.

Just how I read it. Perhaps, like any advice I take no responsibility if, it goes wrong.
You can choose to simply reject his offer. You can choose to just not answer his e-mail.
Certified checks can and are kicked back all the time. The Certified check scam is one that's been around forever. I only sell locally and request cash.

[tombpot]

I wonder why they don’t ban this person I received one the other day

[lindaelane]

As I understand it, a certified check means the money is frozen in his account against this issued check.

This is a misunderstanding but sadly, one that has seen many victims.

The information below is for both certified and cashier's checks.

(a) Certified checks can be cancelled so they are not really "good" until they clear.

But...***more important****

(b) Forgeries of certified checks abound. They look like the genuine article, though they often lack the perforated edge a real certified check would have.

Very important:

Banks will put a freeze on your ability to move any funds electronically for six months or more if you deposit such a check.

People have deposited them, thinking they would wait days to see if they cleared or not. **** Big mistake *** You get in a lot of trouble with your bank if you deposit a forged check, and they do not care one bit whether you knew it was forged or not. They also do not care one bit whether your wrote other checks against it or left it in the account to clear before trying to access the funds.

What to do?

Never deposit a check where you are supposed to pass part of the money on. Example: Check will be over the amount and you should pay the overage to the company that is going to pick up the object.

Probably best to just ask for cash for anything sold to those claiming to be Villagers.

You could call the bank issuing the check, or supposedly issuing the check, to verify that the check is genuine.

[dhayward@att.net]

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP--

It's not only a scam, It's one of the oldest out there. They will try it with boats, cars, anything. They often will add they are a deployed American serviceman. Disgusting! Be careful, be smart.

[threefootputt]

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP--

Same experience this week with same buyer on pictures I have listed on TOTV. Insisted on cash and potential buyer said certified check only. No sale.

[RoadToad]

No check is coming.
What they want is your name, address, phone#, and email address.
This info alone is 90% of your online "credentials" and is sellable on the Dark Web.
Any response at all is useful to ascertaining your identity and compromising your Web presence.
Just delete the msg or forward it to a Scam notification Site and then delete it.

[ping]

I got the same request to buy my table with a certified check as a birthday gift for his son-in-law. Was practically word for word. I responded that I only accept cash since there are so many scams! Needless to say, no further response!

[OhioBuckeye]

Yea, I agree, don’t know why all the extra details for buying a bike. If it were me I would say cash. How much could your bike cost anyway, I’m sure your bike won’t break the bank. Or if you’re really worried about getting scammed just say you sold it already. Personally if I was in your shoes I would think you were right, it’s a scam! Why chance it’s!

[Bobbie291]

I got one of those when I was selling my golf cart. Smelled bad, so I ignored it.

[MrFlorida]

When selling to a private party, Cash is King.....

[GOLFER54]

The wording of this scam has been around for a long while. Disregard and do NOT do business with this person.

[Kidsmith77]

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP--
I had a whole room of furniture that “potential buyer” wanted to pay via Zelle. After supposedly sending money I got an email that buyer had to add $500 to the amount as it was over my Zelle limit. I called bank right away, there is no limit. Stopped all communication. Just as your buyer, it was to get me to either refund money or pay additional amount because they couldn’t. Researched person on Facebook and found they were impersonating a woman who lived in Canada unaware of situation.

[Cliff Fr]

I wonder if he is based in Nigeria? 😃

[jimbomaybe]

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP-- These thing can be fun, reply with fake info, "Oh so sorry, made a mistake here's the correction", see how long you can waste their time

[Red Rose]

It's so wordy that you know instantly it's a scam. They give too much information and you know they're just trying to gain your trust. What seller would care why you're buying it and for whom you're buying it. The whole thing sounds ridiculous on the part of the so-called buyer.

[Geodyssey]

it's a scam but I think all of you should say yes let them send the checks and pay the two or $3 for priority mail and let them waste their money. They usually don't actually send it in the post postal mail as is a federal crime for fraud but they'll waste their money on a FedEx and that's the only way to get back at these guys


Accept cash only. Meet buyer in front of police station (they won't show up).

[kathy1516]

Cash only when he picks up the bike. I would never accept a check from someone I don’t know and will never see again.

[lpruettusa]

When you finally do make a sale. Do it in person and at your local sheriffs station and in cash. Maybe ask a deputy to check the cash for you. They will do that for us in Northern Virginia at the local police station near me.

[Malsua]

There has been more than one occasion where I've had similar reasons for the check deal.


In NJ, I knew the local detective and he told me to have those checks sent to him.

Your response would look like this.

Hi,

Your offer is acceptable.

Here my the mailing address:

Your name here
C/O Detective Brian Mutz
Internet Crime division
Local PD address.

Once the check processes, you can send your men to the PD for the item. If I'm not there, one of the deputies will get it out of lockup. If you want to see it beforehand, you'll need an ID to enter the station. My officers are very friendly, just tell them you're the guy that sent in the Cashier Check. I will instruct them before hand so they will be waiting and will know exactly what to do.

Thanks!



You'll not hear back from them.

[OhioBuckeye]

You’re exactly right!

[Rose Ann Vinci Igoe]

Have an ad here to sell a bike. Received an email expressing interest and asked about availability. I replied that the bike was available and here's the email I received:

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad it is available. Do you accept Certified checks as your mode of payment ? If yes, kindly provide me with your name,address and working cell phone number for the payment,because I'm purchasing it for my son in law as a surprise gift for his birthday.
I would also like to restate clearly that i will make arrangements for pick up which will be after the check clears.Awaiting your info.

Sent from: pertusnicholas1967@gmail.com (name in the header: Nicholas Petrus)

Smells like the certified check scam where a check exceeding the payment with a request to kick back the excess amount.

I guess these guys are everywhere these days.

--SP--

rule of thumb... never a ck in any form, unless you know the person. other than that... CASH ONLY

[Graspher]

No Sale, cash only

Exactly - ALWAYS only cash. For big dollar transactions - get yourself one of those counterfeit marking pens to verify the green.

[fdpaq0580]

These thing can be fun, reply with fake info, "Oh so sorry, made a mistake here's the correction", see how long you can waste their time

What about, "I only accept gift cards"??? 😶😶

[Byte1]

Run away from this. It is a scam. You can get fake certified checks, I did a while back. I told the buyer I would wait for the check to deposit before sending item. He sent me the check, I called the issuing bank, and it was fake. Deal in cash only, local sale, and know what you are doing before using PayPal too. I never use PayPal as a seller, you have no rights

Same thing. I said cash only and they sent me a check. I called the bank and they said it was fake. I laughed at the purchaser because they sent it overnight FedEX on a Sat. A little old lady, my @$$! It was a good fake but I had no intention of taking the check and told them that before they sent it.

[Jbmaclean]

Yep, same story word for word. Then another with different name wanted to buy something else I had listed but nearly word for word. I actually received a check. Fake watermarks and foil pressed hologram.Telltail fuzzy ink jet printing totally bogus. Label on priority mail also fuzzy ink jet with more phony names & locations.

[fdpaq0580]

Yep, same story word for word. Then another with different name wanted to buy something else I had listed but nearly word for word. I actually received a check. Fake watermarks and foil pressed hologram.Telltail fuzzy ink jet printing totally bogus. Label on priority mail also fuzzy ink jet with more phony names & locations.

Sure wish my tablet had a BOOM! button that would blow up the computer (or even the scammer) on the other end.

[davem4616]

ha, thanks for sharing, as I will be selling a few things in the months ahead.....

I hadn't heard of that one

however, a local sale, I'd ask for cash...they can go to the bank