Fraudulent Check Scam
 

Long story short: Communication via SMS messaging and Email requesting several Norwex products. The products were for a daughter’s wedding gift and needed to be shipped directly to the daughter. Once the cost (~$300) of the products were provided, the requestor indicated a check would be sent and not to order the products until the check was deposited. A day later another email was sent indicating a mistake had been made and the check included funds for the wedding planner in addition to funds for the products. The person requested we forward the extra funds to the wedding planner. The check arrived via FedEX overnight and was for $2,150.

Big “red flag” and loud bells went off. Yep, calling the bank we learned that the check was fraudulent.

Bottom line - once again beware of these types of scams.

I read the OP several times, and I still cannot understand what is going on. Someone wants to buy a wedding gift, and is also paying a wedding planner with the same check??? Anyone who falls for that scam deserves to lose their money.

I can't figure it out either

PT Barnum was right

Obviously, the OP did not fall for this scam which anyone selling anything online will run into now and then.

I'm confused. You don't understand the scam yet you feel free to criticize someone who not only *does* understand it but didn't fall for it and took the time to warn others about it. Odd.

Thank you to the OP for the reminder that these kinds of things happen. Unfortunately, we all need to be on our toes these days.

Just check the ABA number on their website. You will find it may be a real bank number but in the wrong position of the check. Seen this more than once. No need to call the bank

ABA Routing Number - Find on Checks & Search Database of Routing Numbers | American Bankers Association

I was not criticizing the OP. But, apparently the OP received a check that was supposed to include money for a wedding gift and the wedding planner fee within the same check. And, the OP is supposed to split the check into two payments, one for the wedding gift and the other for the wedding planner fee, and send the payments to two different addresses. Who would do that? Very strange.

Thanks for explaining what I was trying to convey.

The best way to handle orders that are not local is PayPal and to make sure they are not checking off friends and family .

That's the whole scam they overpay you and then expect you to immediately send different money to someone else sometimes it's for a truck sometimes it's a delivery etc but it's always a scam

You needed to get the $2150 check before seeing a red flag????

He didn’t know the check would be for $2150 until it arrived. Until that point it could have been a legitimate sale.

Post a vehicle for sale on Craigslist. I can almost guarantee a scammer response in less than an hour.

There are fake PayPal scams out there too…

This is one of the oldest, yet perpetual scams out there. I have commented on this scam on this forum before, but in a nutshell: The buyer will make a "mistake," and send more money than the asking price. The seller will be told to forward the difference to a 3rd party. That is the hook. The buyer's check will be bogus. The seller will be out the money sent to the 3rd party. End of story. This scam perpetuates because it works, and some fall for it. Good for the OP not taking the bait.