Olddaddy Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 I sold a disc brake kit last month for a 55 Dodge car to a Canadian Fellow named Tom Silex (probably an alias) whose address was reported to me as 11175 Pretty Rd, Winfield, BC Canada. He even gave me a phone number that later turned out to be the Arrowleaf Cellars Winery. He paid me $215 via a Royal Bank of Canada money order which I deposited in my local Florida account. Having always believed money orders to be as good as cash and generally liking Canadians I shipped his kit. When the money order was returned unpaid my bank deducted the funds from my account. By the time I received the letter and the rejected money order I was bouncing checks and bills left and right. I was charged hefty fees totaling another $130 over and above the original $215. I contacted RBC who politely and efficiently determined the money order was not one of theirs and wished me luck. They had no interest in the fact that a person was using their bank as part of a fraud transaction. So, lesson learned. As of today I will no longer accept any form or payment for any of my services other than Paypal, or Cash in US dollars. And if anyone offers to pay you with a Royal Bank of Canada money order I would recommend that you decline the offer. RCB Money Order.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 That's too bad Charlie. If someone is defruading folks for what (not to belittle your lose) is basically pocket money, you gotta wonder what else they have been cooking with the same recipe. I have always used US Postal Service Money order for my long distance person to person transactions, as I wonder about the safety of pay pal. I guess even teller checks and certified checks can't be trusted anymore. Like somebody said it's a big barrel we have here, and it bound to include some rotten apples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 From my experiance old car folks are generally up front and honest. Were there any red flags before the bomb dropped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1941Rick Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Had a situation arise where a fellow in Saskatchewan wanted my truck and camper..55thou....only viewed Kijiji add.....wanted to pay with Paypal.....told him cash is always best...he insisted on Paypal and that it was safe....I called Paypal and the word from them was that this guy is a fraud. If he knows the system he could put the money inbto his paypal account then transfer it to me..I get notified and transfer the money to my bank account..simple,,ya right....he then gets the transaction reversed and Paypal then dings my credit card and there is nothing I can do but use the money I transfered to my back to pay the credit card off...Just a quick not Olddaddy not all canadians are dishonest..there are frauds everywhere and it is a shame you have been stiffed.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55 Fargo Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Sorry to hear this Charlie, just looking at this Bank Draft, looks fake to me, for example beside USA dollars, it says Canadien, well that is French version of Canadian. Most transaction s would state USD or US Dollars. I hope this is a 1 time thing, you should report this to the RCMP, fraud division contact the RCMP Detachment Lake Country Detachment 3231 Berry Rd Winfield, BC V0H 2C0 Phone: (250) 766-2288 Hours: Mon to Fri: 8 am - 4 pm Sat & Sun: Closed Hey this scumbag, could be scamming a all over th place, and needs to be stopped....Fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Didn't look at the PDF earlier, but did you notice there is a difference in the type font in the address line??? there is a house there but who knows who lives there. I'd do what Fred suggested call the RCMP and report it as a wire fraud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconvan Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Lots of scammers out there; I had one try to pass a phony money order on me for a part I sold. I just called the bank branch printed on the money order and gave then the ID # and they were able to pull it up. The ID # was legit. However, It was supposed to be for $300 and they showed it was issued for $3. I guess the guy used a computer to copy it and change the amount. Always, always call and verify money orders and cashiers checks and tell the buyer no product until the issuing bank verifies it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Given..in the case of falconvan...that the check was authentic on purchase but for a lesser amount you would think there would be a video of this transaction..all tellers and all transactions are recorded..and am certain with the minimum amount of effort a face would be placed with this transaction..complete with a ID card as it is required if or if not a member of the bank from which the check was accquired..Moral..you on your own..bank got their money even if for only 3.00, will cost them more than that to track/trace/research the film track..and figure the loss would be better absorbed by the customer.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyHarold Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Another way to check for a fake instrument is to rub it with your fingers and feel for impressions where it is printed and serrations on the edges where the stub was torn off. Also hold it to the light to look for security watermarks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlemo Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 (edited) I often use money orders or cashiers checks when buying over the internet and especially from forum members (I too don't trust "Pay-Pal" or using credit cards when buying on line). I was always under the impression this way of providing payment would put the seller at ease and would guarantee my payment, as monies had to be put up first at the bank. I was raised to believe, among other things, that a mans' word was his bond. I have a "thing" with those who would cheat or steal from others. PS. I sure hope falconvan wasn't referring to one of my purchases ??? lol big time!! Cass, alias littlemo... Edited October 23, 2011 by littlemo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Watson Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 The serial number on the top right corner of the "money order" appears to have three digits removed - the space before the 9-440. Also the 0 just before the space appears to have been shaved when the three digits were removed. As well the numbers on the bottom of the form appear to have been altered. The "44906920" in the bottom left corner. The second "9" is a little higher than the other numbers in the sequence. Compare it with the first "9". Not surprised the person at RBC was not in a bother with the situation. The bank is not out any money and it is not the result of anything they did. Now, if the bank had honoured a financial instrument and they lost money, you can bet your next pay cheque the RCMP would be on site in minutes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconvan Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Given..in the case of falconvan...that the check was authentic on purchase but for a lesser amount you would think there would be a video of this transaction..all tellers and all transactions are recorded..and am certain with the minimum amount of effort a face would be placed with this transaction..complete with a ID card as it is required if or if not a member of the bank from which the check was accquired..Moral..you on your own..bank got their money even if for only 3.00, will cost them more than that to track/trace/research the film track..and figure the loss would be better absorbed by the customer.. That right, Tim. The bank didn't seem interested in the info I had on the guy. After some checking I found out that my only recourse was to take it to my local postmaster, which I did, and report the guy for mail fraud. It probably did absolutely nothing as I'm sure the guy used a phony name. I did get to send a "You didn't get me, you SOB" email which felt pretty good. I think this goes on everyday with thousands of big dollar scams going through so they're probably don't have the resources to pursue the little fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconvan Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 PS. I sure hope falconvan wasn't referring to one of my purchases ??? lol big time!! Cass, alias littlemo... LOL! No, Mo, I didn't mean you. The guy's name was Tony David. Sounds like a game show host. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Flanagan Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 "Pretty Rd.?" I don't know about you, but to me that's about as suspicious as Normal Town or Anywhereville. I'd think the local cops would be interested in this, RCMP or whoever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayfarer Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Bummer... There are waaaay too many criminals plying their trade in the old car hobby and somedays even cash is suspect. I use paypal alot but hate the 3% fee...yeah I know about the 'gift' label. Be cautious about USPS money orders as they also have be counterfeited. My local PO has a scanner gizmo they pass the mo's through to check them. In short, until I have cash in hand nothing gets shipped. On the flip side, I recently sent a check, which was promptly cashed, for a cam core. I am still waiting............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.warshaw Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 hopefuly the install goes wrong, and his wheel comes off while he drives and crashes his car, and when he awakes in the hospital hell realize that everything comes around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 hopefuly the install goes wrong, and his wheel comes off while he drives and crashes his car, and when he awakes in the hospital hell realize that everything comes around. Problem with that is the dude will bring suit against oldaddy for liability and probably win:mad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 But then Mikey can defend him quid pro quo as a payment for wishing evil on the schmuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 he would have to prove proof of sale..would hate to think there is liability on stolen items.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadkingcoupe Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Having always believed money orders to be as good as cash and generally liking Canadians I shipped his kit. Hopefully this negative experience will not change your "general liking of Canadians". Unfortunately scammer's reside everywhere, but do not represent a whole country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted October 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 I still like Canadians. When they all come down here for the winter they keep the cops busy so I get less attention from them! I never get a ticket between October and May...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 he would have to prove proof of sale..would hate to think there is liability on stolen items.. When you buy things at a swap meet do you get a bill of sale? I think this scammer could lie his way out of proof of sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 good point Don..me thinks it may be a good deal to buy some items with a bill of sale even at a swap meet..trivial small parts nah..but an eng/tranny combo..might be a good idea especially if a later model intended for a retro mod..20 years ago it was a different world..but looking back..heck we even had unscrupulous folks then..just fewer in number.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlemo Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Most of those types ended up "hanging" around or from a tree on Dad's back forty !!! Cass, alias littlemo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T120 Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 (edited) Most of those types ended up "hanging" around or from a tree on Dad's back forty !!! Cass, alias littlemo... ..Kinda reminds me of a large sign I saw in a gas station/convenience store west of Billings,Montana a few years back when I pulled off the highway to gas up.They sold pretty well everything from gas to groceries and hunting rifles,liquor,etc...There was no mistaking their message.."Shoplifters - We Hang 'em High!" Edited October 24, 2011 by Ralph D25cpe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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