Beware the Auto Wrap Scam - Lehto's Law Ep. 4.27

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  • Опубликовано: 22 ноя 2024
  • A recent twist on the Craigslist Scam has people thinking they can make money by wrapping their car with ads. The catch is when they ask you to wire some of "their" money to someone else. It's a scam and here's how it works and how to avoid it.
    www.lehtoslaw.com

Комментарии • 369

  • @murraystewartj
    @murraystewartj 6 лет назад +12

    Yes, I want your book. I'll send you a check for $10,000, take what you need for the book but forward the remainder to my friend in "Nigeria" for shipping in handling. Aside from the fact that I would never plaster my modest daily driver with ads at any price, I can't believe that people still fall for this. Steve, you continue to do a good public service, and I wish you were in charge of drafting consumer protection law everywhere. Cheers.

  • @RobertLeBlancPhoto
    @RobertLeBlancPhoto 5 лет назад +9

    About 8 years ago, I received one of these obvious scam checks in the mail. It was for over $1K.
    I went down to a local community bank, opened a fresh, new checking account, deposited the check into the account, and waited.
    Amazingly, after about a week, I asked if the check cleared and if I could withdraw the cash and was told yes.
    I did so and immediately closed the account.
    Never heard from anyone about it afterwards. 😁

  • @BadatThis2
    @BadatThis2 Год назад +4

    Hi Steve,
    I'm a renter with VRBO and there is another version of this where people claim they want to book my place using a check from their employer and surprise surprise the employer needs to send extra money for the travel expenses that I need to deposit then forward to their travel agent so they can book the travel to my condo.
    They are always very urgent to get the funds deposited and sent ASAP. I have a standard template I use to reply to these scammers that includes a 5k dollar processing fee that they never have any problems paying which is another sign it is a scam. I go along with it trying to at least cost them the shipping fees. But I don't want the scammers to have my address so I just let them mail it to the DC fraud office for the FBI care of Frank Abagnale.
    Got to at least waste some of their time and money!
    Sincerely,
    Paul

  • @txtom
    @txtom 5 лет назад +8

    Niece was boxing up her cellphone she listed for sale (getting ready to ship it). She was very excited, said she was getting twice her asking price. I looked as she addressed the box and noticed Nigeria. Told her she was getting ripped off. She showed me a email copy of a paypal receipt showing they paid her. After my insistence she called paypal and was told the receipt number was not valid. She got upset with me for being right, but thanked me after she thought about it a bit. lol

  • @KGEEZAY2011
    @KGEEZAY2011 5 лет назад +4

    I just got one for Red Bull decal. When they gave me the details, I got suspicious. They explained it just like you said. Thank you!

  • @Grenyas
    @Grenyas 6 лет назад +4

    "If It's too good to be true, it probably is." People often seem to forget that phrase, even though online scams are a lot more common nowadays.

  • @MrMockingbird1313
    @MrMockingbird1313 4 года назад +3

    Hey Steve, I got a text from someone at "Tropicana Juices". I said sure, lets do the wrap. The check came on flimsy paper. The bank had no detail information. The was no watermark on the check. But, best of all, several sources said it was a fraud. Thanks for a great video.

  • @signupstuff
    @signupstuff 2 года назад +2

    I remember when the internet was starting to become mainstream in the 90s and people predicted the end of these types of scams, because they would be exposed and people would educate themselves. But then they also predicted that conspiracy theories would go away. People are amazingly resistant.

  • @islandnites
    @islandnites 4 года назад +5

    :-) I love how the toy cars on the shelf behind Steve seem to always be parked in a different location or facing a different direction. My imagination leads me to believe that in between vids, Steve plays with these on the floor or outside on the porch. I'm envious.

  • @boo6908
    @boo6908 4 года назад +2

    I nearly fell for the car wrap scam..I was contacted by text after having put out tons of resumes I thought it was derived from that. They claimed it was for Twix candy bars.. ($500 a week deal) They asked for my address I gave a po box..then they asked for my cars make an model. But no other personal information asked. I will block their text messages in the future and will have my bank destroy the check when it arrives. Thank you for making us aware by posting your video.

  • @Erik_The_Viking
    @Erik_The_Viking 6 лет назад +4

    If I worked at a bank and was given a 6-figure check I would definitely be making a phone call. My local bank here calls me for pretty much any check over $2000 to verify we wrote it. No complaints.

  • @csly6411
    @csly6411 6 лет назад +6

    The 3rd of your videos I've watched. Thanks for helpful topics presented in a friendly, entertaining fashion. Appreciate your work.

  • @alaric_
    @alaric_ 6 лет назад +3

    Checks are in scandinavia practically unheardof. I've seen one in my life and one of my friends have used one. Majority of money transfer happens with electronic bank-to-bank transfer and obviously cash. Although cash is fading fast, nowdays there practically are no places, anywhere, where they won' accept debit/electron/credit card.

  • @ChrisD4335
    @ChrisD4335 3 года назад +3

    I almost fell for a version of this scam when i was very young but luckily the bank teller was not as gullible as little Chris and tipped me off.

  • @veralenora7368
    @veralenora7368 3 года назад

    "Read for power" "Power from Reading" Books stacked and flying everywhere!
    Retired librarian
    I had these huge wraps put on my car!
    Great fun! Always wanted to do something strange.
    Paid a local, reputable auto wrap company and they took special care; thought it was such a cool idea!

  • @Ron4885
    @Ron4885 6 лет назад +1

    I did have that experience on a Craigslist item I was selling. I was told the person that wanted to purchase the item (a painting) was 'out of the country' and that she was this person's secretary. She was authorized to send me a check for the item. Next day I get an email from her saying; "Oooops I messed up. The check I sent was $2540.00 over your asking price. Can you please take out the funds for the picture, $230.00 and you can take out another $100.00 since it was my mistake and send the rest to this address". I never did receive the check though. That was probably a good thing.

  • @zackadi2
    @zackadi2 4 года назад +1

    I received a cashier check in the mail for $3900+ asking me to deduct $500 for my first week, send the difference the wraping company they will provide for a Frito Lay Wrap. They promised $500 per week for 10 weeks. Frito Lay letter headed paper was used to write the instructions for the deal. It sounds too good to be true, researching this, I found your video. Thank you.

  • @stanbarker3764
    @stanbarker3764 6 лет назад +2

    My wife signed up for the car wrap scam. A cashiers check shows up priority mail. NOTHING in the envelope but the check. It was around $4k. I looked online to find contact info for the bank it was drawn on. They said it was forged. I still have the check and envelope. It was supposed to be for Starbucks. I am writing this comment as Steve mentions Mesa, Az. I am next door in Phoenix.

  • @richardcowan5952
    @richardcowan5952 4 года назад +1

    I got the contact from Frito Lay. Got immediately suspicious when the check was for more than $3900 with instructions to deposit the check and send the amount over $700 to the detailer. Got on the web and found this video. Thanks for the research on this scam.

  • @stoopingfalcon891
    @stoopingfalcon891 2 года назад +3

    If you are sent a cheque for ANYTHING, take it to the bank and wait till it clears/fails before doing anything else.

    • @fixitallpaul4847
      @fixitallpaul4847 2 года назад

      Tell the bank to send it for collection. That way if its no good nothing comes back on you.

    • @christophercalloway6399
      @christophercalloway6399 Год назад

      which could take upto 90 days

  • @RMJ1984
    @RMJ1984 6 лет назад +2

    How to avoid pretty much any and all scams. If something sounds too good to be true, it is. It's a very simple motto.

    • @charlesmiller5078
      @charlesmiller5078 6 лет назад

      Wait just a minute, a bunch of ladies in 7th grade said this pretty girl was in love with me ( to good to be true), we got married 10 years later. But we did get divorced, there is that. Hmmmmm you might be right. Is there a time limit on that statement ?

  • @Iconoclasher
    @Iconoclasher 6 лет назад +3

    The best way to avoid all this BS is to just change your thinking. Realize that 95% of ALL ADVERTISING is a scam. Even a so-called "legit" ad for a car dealer selling a car is a scam. (when you get to the dealer, you'll find the car isn't exactly what you expected or it was just sold)
    Ads, telemarketers, junk mail, spam, door to door sales, ALL in the same category.

  • @kcouch9216
    @kcouch9216 3 года назад +2

    I got through about 7 minutes of this video and I said enough said. It’s fake. I just got a check today through ups for 5,089 for power horse energy drink to wrap my car. Gee, I’m so happy I watched this video

  • @edvisme
    @edvisme 6 лет назад +1

    This instalment video here takes me back to a time when someone was trying to scam me on an item I had up for sale on a local classified site. The text come across my phone just like explained here (they send the check, I deposit, pay their shipper etc.) I decided to go along and play. The "buyer" asked me my name and address. I told the "buyer" a fake name and passed on the address to my local Police Station. A few days went by and that scammer text me asking if I received the check. I played along saying I had not. We went back and forth over that check, him assuring it was sent and received and that I need to follow through with the arrangement. It was at that time I sent him a page copy of the Police Departments web page with their address in plain site. I then added "feel free to stop on by to collect your check." That was the last time I heard from that scammer lol.

  • @Ancyker
    @Ancyker 6 лет назад +4

    A few things...
    1.) Anything can be a check. I can go over to my printer, pull out a blank sheet of paper, write down my routing and account number, write amounts, sign it, and that's technically a check. A bank is going to be extremely suspicious of it, but it's *technically* valid.
    2.) Sometimes the "Craig's List Scam" isn't a scam. It's rare, but I had a friend that was going to sell something on Facebook that sounded **a lot** like the scam. The seller was sending him a check for the item + shipping via a carrier that was not UPS/FedEx/USPS. So, at first, I'm like "Dude, that's a scam!" So I told him how the scam works. He was like oh man, and showed me a screenshot of the conversation and I see the name of who he was supposed to send the money to (with a phone number to call and arrange it, toll-free). The thing was it was a large item and I instantly recognized the name. RoadWay. A legitimate freight shipper. So, sometimes, it's real if the item is huge. Check out the company, don't just look for a website though if you are not familiar with it though. I could make a website with any company saying anything. A website doesn't mean real. You need to really get into that and investigate it. A good indication it's real is multiple brick and mortar locations you can verify exist and have existed by either going there or checking street view. Do your due diligence on that, but it can be real if it's a large item, especially something uncommon. You can always wait for the check to properly clear. Generally, you can ask your bank to notify you when the funds have cleared. You can also call the issuing bank and try to verify the account and funds exist. What the bank tells you may vary. If the bank is a real bank and you have a branch near you, go to that bank, tell them where/how you got the check, and try to cash it. Most banks will cash their own checks even if you don't have an account because they issued it. Not all will but many will do it. Even if they won't, you have a better shot at getting info in person.
    3.) You technically can deposit the check anyway and just wait to see if it clears. There are some downsides to this. The biggest is that most banks charge you a fee if a check is returned, $30-50+ is not uncommon. $35 is probably the most common. Do not rely on the bank to tell you if it has cleared. 99% of tellers will only tell you if the funds are available or not because that's what most people want to know when they ask that question. Sadly, the teller may not be able to tell you if the check has actually cleared. 30 days is usually enough time.
    4.) On the flip side of things: Checks are riskier than credit/debit cards. I see a lot of older people saying they don't want to *risk* using a card, checks are safer! They aren't. To use your card at a retail establishment you need the contents of that magnetic stripe or the chip (unlike the stripe, you cannot copy the chip, that's why it's better and we're moving to that standard). To use it online they need the numbers (the account number, expiration date, and the 3-4 digit code that are on your card, but they also need your zip code, and possibly your street number). To use your checks without your permission all they need is the numbers printed on the bottom of the check. Your routing number and your account number, it also helps to have your name (not always required depending on what they want to do with it.) If your credit/debit card is cloned, you can usually just call the bank, point out the transactions you noticed that are fraudulent, and your bank cancels them and sends you a new card. If checks are fraudulent, it takes ***ages*** to get that resolved sometimes. It is a horrible experience. A good practice is to use a credit card, not a debit card, for purchases. That isolates your liquid cash so you never have to worry about your cash suddenly being unavailable for any amount of time. Some people say they don't want to borrow money or pay interest. Any decent card won't charge you interest if you pay the balance in full every month (including some of the "high risk" banks that loan to low/no credit score people like CapitalOne), in fact, many will pay you to use the card. I pull in $100-200 of free money every month by using a credit card. That's profit, cash money, deposited into my actual bank account to use on whatever I want. It's tax-free too. :)

    • @amarks5436
      @amarks5436 6 лет назад

      You can 100 percent spoof that chip. Radio frequency identification tech is child's play to defeat, regardless of what the marketing department at your credit card company would have you believe.

    • @Ancyker
      @Ancyker 6 лет назад

      @@amarks5436 the chip isn't rfid. It's contact required data exchange. That's why you have to insert it. You're thinking of tap to pay cards which are not secure.

    • @amarks5436
      @amarks5436 6 лет назад +1

      @@Ancyker I got my tech mixed up like you said, but this has been defeated years ago. I'm currently on a 10k mile road trip and just last week, someone started using my card in physical locations to make fraudulent purchases. I called and had a MasterCard rep flat out tell me they were making chip enabled purchases, and they only caught it due to their algorithm determining I could not have traveled that far between purchases. I haven't swiped the magnetic strip on any card for almost 3 years now, and I've only had this car for one. For this reason I no longer use a debit card, as i'd rather the thief spend MasterCard or amex's money instead of mine. This kind of fraud is child's play. krebsonsecurity.com/2014/10/replay-attacks-spoof-chip-card-charges/

  • @JustinHeat1961
    @JustinHeat1961 3 года назад +1

    Steve, Love the two Daytona Super bird models on the book shelf!

  • @angrycat3525
    @angrycat3525 6 лет назад +1

    A few years ago I tried to sell a digital drum kit on an online auction service - I won't mention the name, but it rhymes with heSay - using their Buy It Now option.
    Within a day I was contacted by someone who said he wanted to buy it, and asked me if I'd be willing to ship it to Brazil. I pointed out that my listing clearly said "Local Pickup Only", which began a series of badgering "Why not?" emails, and my "Because that was never part of the posting" responses. Fortunately I was eventually able to sell the drums to a local guy, and for cash.

  • @richardcooney7789
    @richardcooney7789 5 лет назад +2

    I bought a Jeep from a dealer and we worked out a price it was to be delivered When it was delivered they had put helium in the tiers and added $140 to the total price . It was suppose to save on gas ?

  • @ludditeneaderthal
    @ludditeneaderthal 5 лет назад

    The sad part is GENUINE "ad wrap campaigns" do actually exist, though the compensation is usually VERY limited (something like a third of your insurance bill for the duration) and the vehicles that are eligible to participate make a VERY short list. As a teen in 1970s NYC, I remember VW beetles advertising the then new "Kool Milds" cigarettes, only it was a custom paint job, not a wrap. The campaign ONLY allowed late model Super Beetles, and the "pay" was only the previously mentioned "chip in for your insurance". The only reason it stuck in my memory is a friend lived on the same block as a participant, so the bug was parked there all the time. I'd see ads in the help wanted section of the local paper spelling out the scheme in detail, including the compensation.

  • @josephpeoples3910
    @josephpeoples3910 5 лет назад +4

    I like to take their checks and send fake checks to the companies who are doing the wrapping. One time I even sent them the full amount and asked them to send me my portion

  • @BuzzLOLOL
    @BuzzLOLOL 5 лет назад +3

    'Nigeria' is shorthand for the country where most 'net scams originate... and a country that won't do anything about scammers...

  • @CJinsoo
    @CJinsoo 4 года назад

    Absolutely terrific video, very helpful!
    On the people who want to call and check on the “company” reminds me of guys at an old job who speculated as to why the wheels did not fall off on Fred Flintstone’s car. I suggested to them that they build a prototype in their garage and report back to us.
    Maybe some advice for the gullible, that probably falls on their deaf ears, is instead of checking on the “company”, they can ask the bank to refrain from despoiling in to your account until check clears? I suspect that even if the bank does this, the bank will then charge you a fee for the trying to process a check that does not clear?

  • @chriscantrell9012
    @chriscantrell9012 5 лет назад +1

    This actually happened to an airline I worked at back in 05', the scammers sent checks from our company for 5k telling the person to keep a portion and secret shopper moneygram and to send a potion of the check to this moneygram.
    The only problem is that bank that that specific checks were attached too were completely fooled and honored the checks, all the numbers were correct and they managed to guess accurate check numbers. The only reason my company became aware was one of the receivers called us and told us what they had in front of them. We asked them to send us what they received from the scammers and confirmed what had happened. Our bank was as shocked as us, 10's of thousands of dollars had been stolen from our accounts.
    This was immediately turned over to the FBI, and any calls from future people that received this checks we would ask that they not try to cash them, and instead forward them to us, so that we could forward them over to investigators.
    So I would further push your point to contact the company, you may not be the only person being scammed.
    -Chris

  • @realkarfixer8208
    @realkarfixer8208 6 лет назад +2

    "There's a sucker born every minute"
    "Never give a sucker an even break"

  • @frankroper3274
    @frankroper3274 3 года назад +1

    I got a call back in the 90's claiming I had won a Ford Explorer...just send 300.00 for shipping and the vehicle would be sent by rail. They said it was a random drawing. I said I got 2 of those already and just give me the 300.00 and you can keep it! Phone went silent...lol

  • @hawgietonight
    @hawgietonight 6 лет назад +4

    Wow that's a neat easy scam. Depends totaly on people using (and trusting) checks. In southern europe it is something that does exist, but nobody uses them as a regular payment system. I'm 40 and had never used a check, until one day I closed a bank account (USA) and they sent me a check with what was left. I took it to my bank and they said that It had to be sent to the central office. Ok I said, gave them the check and a week later it came back because I didn't sign it on the back! I had no idea how this stuff works, and at my bank they weren't very familiar with it either... so I signed it, off it went again and after two months they called to say it was all good and got my money. Two months!

  • @fullthrottletreeservice4101
    @fullthrottletreeservice4101 2 года назад +2

    I answered one of those ads. They sent me a check. I took the check to the bank and showed it to a bank representative and asked them if the check was legitimate . They took it and made some phone calls and came back and said no it's not. I said that's what I thought thank you and I left they kept the check to show it to law enforcement

    • @stoopingfalcon891
      @stoopingfalcon891 2 года назад

      You had the sense to realise that something that appears too good to be true, IS too good to be true. Unfortunately, there are too many people that don't have the common sense that you do.

  • @MurdaKratz
    @MurdaKratz 5 лет назад +1

    not sure if i would end up in this situation, but if i received a cheque from someone i dont know i would tell them i will have to wait until your cheque clears before cutting a cheque to someone else, might be just me being paranoid a little but if they really want something waiting a few days or so for a cheque to clear shouldnt be a problem

  • @ajosepi1976
    @ajosepi1976 6 лет назад +1

    There was a company doing auto-wrap advertisement years ago that was not a scam. You were never out of pocket and they maintained the wrap. The catch is it was in the early stages of the wrap technology and they only had a few cars they could do. Also their advertisers dried up when it didn't seem to pay off. I think it lasted 2 or 3 years before they closed up. Also you were responsible for removing the wrap if you still had it on when they closed. If you had it removed before they closed they did pay to have it taken off. They paid something like $50 to $100 a month depending on the city you lived in. It seems like these people took that idea and made it into a scam. Probably the best scams are based on true things.

  • @NunayaBinit
    @NunayaBinit 6 лет назад +3

    I had a truck for sale on the local radio station's website. I started getting emails from two different guys telling me that they wanted to send me what amounted to about double what I was asking. They both asked that I send the excess to the guy that was going to pick up the truck and transport it to them. I had them both send me their checks and I received them at my P.O. box in a day or two. I took them to a check cashing place instead of my bank, because they will call the issuing bank immediately to verify the funds instead of what the bank does, which is accept the check, then contact you a few days later to have you pay them back for the bad checks. Needless to say, the checks didn't check out, so I kept them.
    After a few days, the both started contacting me again, this time through texting, because I happened to include a phone number in my ad. I informed both of them that I hadn't yet received their checks and they both sent me another check. I held onto THOSE checks. I did this three more times and each time I held on to the checks without opening the envelopes.
    I took those checks, went into my bank and immediately asked to see the manager. I described the situation and asked is he could help me shut these guys down. He said he would look into it and a few days later, I was contacted by the local field office of the FBI. I gave them all the information I had including the emails, texts, and the phone numbers the texts came from, one with a Texas area code and the other one from Georgia. I was contacted about a week later and was told these guys were both operating out of Nigeria!
    I sold my truck long before I was done with these guys and never let them know that I was on to them after the first checks arrived. I just wanted to mess with them as hard as I could before I let them off the hook! Great fun and the fact that the FBI actually got involved was an added plus. From what I was able to find out later, apparently they almost never get involved with things like this, but when I was in my bank a couple of months later, the bank manager walked up while I was in line. When he told me his brother in law runs the field office that contacted me, it all made sense.

  • @johnroberts6084
    @johnroberts6084 5 лет назад +4

    I got a $500/wk offer supposedly from body armor sports drink. I haven't worked in a while and wished it was real. Alas, fake, phoney, scam. My so-called cashier's check is in route as I type. Thanks for your RUclips channel I'm now a subscriber.

  • @timbeach2409
    @timbeach2409 3 года назад +3

    Someone called saying my nephew was in a mexican jail and they needed money for a bond to release him. I told the guy we didn't like that kid anyways and you can keep him. Lol. It was another scam.

  • @eddiecanis
    @eddiecanis 6 лет назад +4

    They ask to wrap my car, i said sure, which shop do in need to drop my car off at, you pay the shop
    they never return the call/email.

  • @KTawes1217
    @KTawes1217 6 лет назад +1

    Can you just hold the check until it clears or bounces? Then either follow through or keep it all?

  • @steveroonic6504
    @steveroonic6504 5 лет назад +3

    Steve, I've been waiting my whole life for a Preston Tucker book! I will pay full price for it and even kick in 300 bucks extra for shipping if you mail it to me immediately!

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  5 лет назад +1

      If you're in the US, I can get you one for less than Amazon. Email me if you're interested steve@lehtoslaw.com

  • @richlaue
    @richlaue 6 лет назад

    I saw one advertisement that sound like they will provide a car, if your car is not approved.
    We had a lawyer in NJ that sold a car, took the check, shipped the car, and the check off course bounced.

  • @TheLemzia
    @TheLemzia 4 года назад +2

    Around 2008, I was selling my 300ZX and put it on a Local internet in So. California and IMMEDIATELY, I was emailed from ENGLAND!! She offered me $5000 for my car, that I was asking $1,000, She claimed that I was to use the money to Ship the car to her and KEEP the rest. I declined!!! It sounded off to me, and she SENT the check anyway! Strangely, the accompanying letter said that there was a "Watermark" on the check, which was to "Insure its Authenticity" LOL! There was NO WATERMARK! (can you say Red Flag?)
    Out of curiosity, I took to the bank and asked if it was real and as soon as the Teller touched the check, she said it was FAKE! Duh.
    My Brother worked at the FBI and I sent it to him and he said that by the time he got it, the Email account & Phone # were BOTH had both been Canceled - Big Shock.

  • @atkray9049
    @atkray9049 5 лет назад +1

    I was curious about this a couple years ago, Got a legit check from a family owned garden center in southern California. Called them and they were mortified. All the information on the check was correct including the routing and account number. So the check would have cleared, but then when they looked at it they would have questioned it and it had my name on it.
    Steve if you are going to sell widgets, you should be selling 3 prong, one slot widgets.

  • @tewgomoo
    @tewgomoo 5 лет назад +1

    I had something like this happen when I was trying to sell a phone on ebay. They wanted to complete the transaction off ebay on PayPal. I made sure I made the buyer pay directly thru the eBay invoice instead of elsewhere and they always wanted to have it shipped out of the country to a niece or nephew as a gift.

  • @jonsmith1259
    @jonsmith1259 6 лет назад +3

    Had one try to pull that with a car I was selling.. I replied "You pay shopper, yu have Shiper bring cash. Banc verify casf is good. We go two Trnsfor Ownersip poppers, Shuppper tak car" Never heard back! Steve, how about a Podcast "Fun at School" from your days when you were teaching? Has to be some good stories there!

  • @tommckay6007
    @tommckay6007 3 года назад +1

    Hello Steve, New subscriber here, I really like the videos and am a metro Detroiter as well so hearing you speak of things I'm familiar with is cool. Just wanted to comment on an experience I had with a Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace scam. I was selling a vehicle and played along with a scammer, I received 3 very real looking postal money orders in the mail that I doubted validity of. I took them to the post office and checked them and they confirmed they were indeed fake. I left them with the postmaster for that office along with the envelope they came in. Nothing probably came of it, but I can dream. I did continue to play with the scammer via Email though.... It was fun!

  • @bills48321
    @bills48321 6 лет назад +1

    I was surprised to hear that even some lawyers fall for these types of scams.

    • @skyjack8541
      @skyjack8541 3 года назад

      Are you sure

    • @bills48321
      @bills48321 3 года назад

      @@skyjack8541 My comment was referring to what steve says at 11:20 into the video.

  • @natedavis3943
    @natedavis3943 5 лет назад +2

    I got the offer from Dr. Pepper in a text. Today I got the check for $1950.25, issued from a place called "Dental Surgeons". I'm glad I found this video before I went any further down this road!! The name on the return address is Rick Grimes lol. That was my first clue! (Rick Grimes is the main character in The Walking Dead.)

    • @stclairstclair
      @stclairstclair 5 лет назад

      Nate Davis, Yeah But Rick is all about honor and respect, He would never write you a bad check.....

    • @natedavis3943
      @natedavis3943 5 лет назад

      @@stclairstclair Lol! You must work for the car wrap people! 😁

  • @Proman642
    @Proman642 6 лет назад

    I got a phone call from a company claiming to represent some boat manufacturer and that I had been selected to receive a free boat and trailer and all I had to do was give them a credit card to pay for the shipping! I said I'd love the boat, send it to me COD for the shipping ...dial tone! Best advice ever, if it is too good to be true...
    Here is another rule I follow. I will not give out credit card information on an in bound call. If I do decide I want to make a purchase for something (extremely rare) I insist on calling them back and take the time to do some research on the company before I do.

  • @marvin-the-martian5194
    @marvin-the-martian5194 6 лет назад

    I once had an email scam back when I owned a bakery. There were a lot of red flags, so I checked all the ISPs the email went through. It started in California and bounced around the world--ending up in Lagos, Nigeria, plot number something (I forget what). At the time, Lagos was the world capital of internet scams. Plot number made me think "oh great, they're using a graveyard as an address!". I sent an email back canceling the order.

  • @REDMAN298
    @REDMAN298 6 лет назад +2

    Interesting stuff, Steve. I`m in good standing at my bank and they recently pissed me off by holding a cashiers check in my name from a local Harley dealership. It lit me up from a previous time when they held a check for over 10 days on a deal I had going. In this day of technology how can they stall on a cashiers check that can be checked electronically. WTF??? Mores code wouldn`t take that long. I beat up 2 Ford dealers over this (they didn`t know what to do) So I waited for the check to clear and have a new F150 in my driveway from a 3rd dealer.

  • @Amy-zb6ph
    @Amy-zb6ph 5 лет назад +1

    An ex of mine got a similar scam but with supposed money orders. It was obvious to me how absurd it would be for someone to send you money in money order form and then expect you to send some of the money elsewhere. I thought it was probably money laundering and not to get involved in it. I don't remember what ended up happening though.

  • @parkershaw8529
    @parkershaw8529 5 лет назад +3

    Why not just wait until the check clears?

  • @laurencemaddox
    @laurencemaddox 5 лет назад +2

    Scam job offers are the only ones I get nowadays.

  • @lorisalyers2601
    @lorisalyers2601 4 года назад

    I got a check just like that from someone wanting me to put A Pringles wrap on my car I thought it looked fishy when they sent me a check just like you said and to have me to send the money back that’s when I thought it was fishy when they said this thank you very much for confirming that this is a fake and a scam I appreciate your video

  • @cgilmer2898
    @cgilmer2898 5 лет назад +1

    I got one of these checks for $4,660 last week to shrink wrap my car with a Bubble Up Lemon-Lime Soda ad. I didn't fall for it and retained everything. Can you direct me to the proper authority to notify. Thank you!

  • @carllind949
    @carllind949 5 лет назад

    I paid $130 to have my boat wrapped and didn't know it was a scam until the following spring when mice had eaten through the wrap and made a home inside. They used the wire insulation of the motor for food and it cost an additional $60 to get that repaired.

  • @hopejones1020
    @hopejones1020 3 года назад

    I got two checks from two different banks, no explanation where they were from or what they were for. We noticed they both had the same numbers at the top of the check, same signature, with different "banks" but same paper and colors of checks. The fact that the manila envelop had the mailing label ( a sheet of paper) attached with two pieces of masking tape. I forgot about the texts with the "person" about the car wrap deal. Crazy!

  • @REDMAN298
    @REDMAN298 6 лет назад +2

    Moral of previous story: don`t tell me a cashiers check won`t clear for 5 days.

  • @williammay2332
    @williammay2332 3 года назад +2

    Before listening I was trying to figure how the scam worked. Ah, it's the old fake over-pay check angle.

  • @jm-mi7kl
    @jm-mi7kl 6 лет назад +3

    This guy doesn't realize how much better extra large widgets are compared to medium widgets.

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  6 лет назад

      Bonus points for referring to me in the 3rd person.

    • @jm-mi7kl
      @jm-mi7kl 6 лет назад +1

      keeping it "meta"

  • @eiloen
    @eiloen 6 лет назад +2

    I've sold a few things on Craigslist. My response to everything is "Show up with money. What time works for you?"

    • @jasonlisonbee
      @jasonlisonbee 6 лет назад

      I'm not a fan of armed robbers showing up for or staging craigslist sales.

  • @sambojambo9448
    @sambojambo9448 3 года назад +2

    Thank you for making everyone aware of this scam. I knew it was too good to be true. I will be forwarding this YT Video to these people who have contacted me.
    BTW No offense, but you have a wicked Laugh.

  • @chartle1
    @chartle1 6 лет назад +1

    Oddly this was a real thing at one time but it was just a single decal on your car and it was through the dealership when you bought a new car.
    They would them lower the monthly payments by say 20 bucks a month for a few years.

  • @billybadtoes
    @billybadtoes 5 лет назад +4

    I get 2 r 3 calls a week telling me that my ssn has been suspended because of illegal activities in all of my accounts and that if i don't return the phone call immediately, they're gonna issue an arrest warrant for me, what i don't understand is how anyone can fall for this bullshit

    • @stclairstclair
      @stclairstclair 5 лет назад

      billybad905 9toes, I've had a real habit of pressing 1 to speak to them, I ask them why do you live in a slum, I can buy and sell your whole family, why do you shit in a hole, why not use a toilet, They ALL tell me to go f%ck my mother, so now Ive been asking them why is that the first response, Pure fun!

  • @richlaue
    @richlaue 2 года назад +1

    May neighbor did one of these.
    He was sent an advertisement which he posted on the back window, then had to send a photo of it every month.
    However the $100's of dollars turned out to be $2-$3
    It took him about 4 hours to remove the sticker

  • @ssn0651
    @ssn0651 5 лет назад +6

    I can afford this because an Ethiopian prince is sending me 2 million dollars next week .

  • @karamelkizzes96
    @karamelkizzes96 5 лет назад +2

    They tried to scam me with AMP energy drink. They sent me a $3,350.00. It seemed to be good to be true . So I went to the bank to find out if it was a fraud check. It was fraudulent. I shredded it. They texted and emailed about depositing in my account. I played along and asked questions then next thing they was saying told me don't worry about it just deposit check.

  • @peterking2651
    @peterking2651 4 года назад

    Never get pressured to give anyone your money. A legitimate business knows they need to wait until the check clears.

  • @RadicalforGod
    @RadicalforGod 5 лет назад

    These scans are happening all over the world not just Nigeria. You even mentioned Philippines.

  • @label1877
    @label1877 3 года назад +2

    A fool and their money are soon separated.

  • @amahana6188
    @amahana6188 2 года назад +1

    These scammers can be an endless source of entertainment.

  • @stefanieprobst7344
    @stefanieprobst7344 4 года назад +3

    I just recieved my check today for $4,950 and I was told to keep $2000 for my first month fee. Thanks so much... Who can I turn this over to to search them and or do something about this?? The addresses do not match and its telling me to do the same thing... I want to get back at them..

    • @stefanieprobst7344
      @stefanieprobst7344 4 года назад

      Funny thing is the check also through my bank PNC. Maybe ill do like u did and call the bank in Indianapolis...lol

  • @Pointlesschan
    @Pointlesschan 5 лет назад +1

    Love your videos Steve but like others I wonder how you have time for lawsuits, videos, AND writing!

  • @chuckfinley5206
    @chuckfinley5206 6 лет назад +1

    As to the auto wrap thing, I answered a text message I got and played along with them. After they sent me the check they didn't seem to bother me too much. They weren't constantly trying to get me to cash it or anything. I think someone who was part of the scam probably tap the dude on the shoulder and said, you mean to tell me you sent a check to Fred Flintstone. Yes whenever I play along with the scammers always use the name, Fred Flintstone. I messed with one scammer years ago during the Katrina thing. He wanted to know what my occupation was in my name. I told him my name was John Lennon and my occupation was dead Rockstar. Believe it or not they sent me a check too.

    • @chuckfinley5206
      @chuckfinley5206 6 лет назад +2

      @@erictaylor5462 oh I know......look up my name. While on the phone I told one scammer I told him my name was Fred Flintstone. Since the guy obviously did not sound like he was from India he asked me, seriously, your name is Fred Flintstone? I told him, look, if you're doing to make fun of my name we can end this call now. He apologized and we went on with the call.

    • @katiekane5247
      @katiekane5247 6 лет назад

      @@erictaylor5462 Chase Elliot, NASCAR driver

    • @NVRick1
      @NVRick1 6 лет назад

      @@erictaylor5462 The best name in NASCAR was Dick Trickle. Sad the way he died.

  • @Samuelfish2k
    @Samuelfish2k 5 лет назад +6

    I’d request to have the check forwarded to a strip club and have 1 hell of a fun day. If the check turns out a bad the next day it’s a fight between the scammers and the strippers.😂

    • @sammylacks4937
      @sammylacks4937 3 года назад

      Yea we know who will come out on top on that deal.
      Great idea.

  • @creativerecycling
    @creativerecycling 3 года назад

    I was selling an old Mercury Tracer on CL, asking $600. Almost instantly I was receiving dozens of emails wanting me to ship THE ITEM, going to send me money orders for more than the asking price. Almost all wanted it shipped, who would ship an old beater car? It all looked like baloney to me. I sold it to a real human man that came by to see and drive it. He paid cash! I found the whole experience educational. And entertaining.
    Next time I will advertise a Widget!

  • @C.CurrySims
    @C.CurrySims 6 лет назад +1

    I was about to ask about the stack of books under the #71.

  • @elizabethpeterson4029
    @elizabethpeterson4029 4 года назад +1

    I recently had 3 checks..one of which was for auto wrap! Have given them to local police, but I doubt they do anything.

  • @tysonprice
    @tysonprice 5 лет назад +5

    thank you i am so glad that i found this before i went ahead with this fake deal

  • @steelem422
    @steelem422 5 лет назад +1

    You should have found some actual adds that are applicable to the story it would have given a better understanding of the strange grammar. Thanks for making these videos I am hooked it’s a great distraction!.

  • @ryansikarskie5293
    @ryansikarskie5293 6 лет назад +1

    This is funny. I’m a contractor and get these checks almost every week

  • @terryboyer1342
    @terryboyer1342 6 лет назад +2

    I like the D-104 mic.

  • @zugabdu1
    @zugabdu1 3 года назад

    I just got the text for this. I really wanted to yank their chain and string them along, but I didn't want to give them my information or get in trouble with my bank for knowingly cashing a bad check.

  • @michaelmask4186
    @michaelmask4186 6 лет назад +1

    Where did you get the Tucker model?

  • @carmac1652
    @carmac1652 4 года назад +1

    That sounds like fun .I'm going to post an ad now lol 😆

  • @jamesthompson7825
    @jamesthompson7825 5 лет назад +5

    Wait a minute...are you saying I’m not going to get $30 million from Nigeria?

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  5 лет назад +2

      No, of course you are. I just need $319 to get your diplomatic cases through customs. Send me funds through western union . . .

  • @jameswilliams663
    @jameswilliams663 5 лет назад +3

    I am no genius, have made many mistakes in my life. But at the very least I would wait until their check actually cleared. Even then I would be suspicious. I don’t know anyone that stupid. I don’t think

  • @kevin_m_carman
    @kevin_m_carman 5 лет назад +1

    Love your channel, you mentioned in this video, who texts you messages for a job offer?
    I get them all the time -- I am a Notary Public in Maine and have a website with a different number but notary public listing companies still text my CELL which is nowhere on my site, so I just ignore them, or on the off chance it works, reply with STOP -- it lasts a while.

  • @JAKPM
    @JAKPM 5 лет назад +1

    Had that happen on eBay, when I was selling a truck, I sent the fake Walmart mo’s back, he was pissed.

  • @andrews3642
    @andrews3642 3 года назад +1

    My bank saved me but I had someone "in the military" who decided to move to wherever they were stationed and wanted me to ship their car to them which was going to be driven to my house but it's the same basic idea except I'm supposed to trust it more because they were in the military.

    • @wickedbird1538
      @wickedbird1538 Год назад

      People who say “ you can trust me because *****” are the ones who leave town in the middle of the night owing you money.

  • @kenda98
    @kenda98 5 лет назад +1

    Just happened today to me I deposited it but figured it out at that point but am not touching the money after contacting the check owner who said they didn't send it and it was a fraud

  • @riblets1968
    @riblets1968 5 лет назад +2

    I wonder if James Veitch got hit with this scam.

  • @Phos9
    @Phos9 6 лет назад +2

    1:50 haha this reminded me of about a month ago when I was searching to see if anyone had tried making Wankel engine apex seals out of ceramic and found a page that I think was 2003 or thereabouts on what else you needed to change in the engine to use ceramic apex seals.

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  6 лет назад

      I had a problem with my new cell phone and found a thread on point - from a few years before my phone existed. Didn't help me much either.

  • @forrestholcomb2621
    @forrestholcomb2621 Год назад +3

    Keep the beard. You're rocking it.