New scam method: buyer wanted to send a personal check

[yeldus2010]

EBay should allow sellers a way to report potential buyers who make fraudulent offers. A potential buyer made a reasonable offer for a  high value item that is in demand. She seemed legitimate(Had 326 x 100% satisfaction stars, was a 19+ years member) so I spent a fair amount of research time to find answers to her questions. She was satisfied with the answers and was ready to buy. To finalize the transaction I made a counteroffer. She said "let's meet half way and I will send you a personal check via priority mail. This will save you 3% PayPal fees. When the check is clear you can ship me the item". I replied: "eBay doesn't use Paypal anymore to pay buyers and eBay doesn't allow personal information, address or phone numbers shared on messages. How are you going to get my address to send the check?". Silence! Not a word after this from this chatty lady.... My husband thinks she was trying to get my address and send a robber to our home. I couldn't find a way to report her and ask eBay to check if she is a legitimate member. What does the community think? Was this an attempt to scam me? Does  anybody pay with check on eBay? Thank you for your responses.

[inhawaii]

This is a no-brainer.  Treat this as if the buyer wanted to pay with a pony. The answer is NO.  The end. 

[jonathankirkland]

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@yeldus2010 wrote:

She seemed legitimate(Had 326 x 100% satisfaction stars, was a 19+ years member)

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Also, in case you're unaware, sellers cannot leave anything BUT positive feedback for a buyer. Even if a buyer was a scammer and a seller wrote about it in the form of positive feedback, the buyer could have it removed. There's virtually no way to tell if any buyer is 'legitimate' or not unless, of course, they've bought from you in the past without issue.

[pureinnocenthelp]

yeah that was a scam. you should tell your local fbi or police about it. that's great that you found new way that scammers scam, it helps other people be aware. 

[gracieallen01]

Well, you know, we look for you guys that are in a real big hurry.  We only 'look' senile (it takes years of practice to get it right) when we have been behind someone that barely slows for every stop sign, ride their bikes, 50 - 3 abreast on the 2 lane road with the double yellow line at 10 miles an hour expecting those walking along to move over for them while riding and talking about their new ipad or latest date, try to run over us cause we don't do the Boston Marathon, get in the express lane with 48 items in their cart and need the checker to get a runner to grab the right size jug of fresh squeezed mango/lime/apricot juice from the back corner of the warehouse store and are just on their way to the gym.  Hey, it is just a hobby with us - all part of the a day of fun in the real world.   😂  😆  😀

[readabouthorses]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

Was there a plastic squirrel lawn ornament on her belt?  If yes, I was right behind you in line.  Waiting on the price check for the 80+ lovely gal who was buying the fugly plastic squirrel lawn ornament, while my ice cream was melting.  She too, was paying by check.  Or Lillypuddins....something that was taking forever!

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Well I'm an 80+ lovely gal and the only ones I've seen holding up the line lately was that guy who was trying to pay with his Apple Pay ... he held up the line for 20 MINUTES trying to get it to work and yes, my ice cream was melting!

And then let's talk about those youngins' who are stumbling up and down the aisles with their noses in their phones ... I wish I had a video of that girl who ran into a whole big display of stuff because her nose was in her phone trying to text her friend who was in the next aisle!

I looked at the OP's listings ... I'd be afraid to take Managed Payments for big dollar items ... eBay still owes me $4.00 from when they took Billpoint!

[veronicabooksandart]

Agreed.
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An old wives club like the eBay community is no place for so insensitive a post!

[pcobra93]

I would much rather be behind that lady than the one with 5 kids running around terrorizing the candy display pushing be out of the way.....and then out comes her EBT card for 95% of the bill.....and then cash for the beer and lobster.

[itsjustasprain]

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@yeldus2010 wrote:

My husband thinks she was trying to get my address and send a robber to our home. I couldn't find a way to report her and ask eBay to check if she is a legitimate member. What does the community think? Was this an attempt to scam me? Does  anybody pay with check on eBay? Thank you for your responses.

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Sending a robber? Thats a bit of a stretch. I guess she could send an Uber and ask the driver to pull a gun on you when he arrives but I dont know how that would work for tipping purposes and he would be worried about his rating afterwards. Ebay has no process to check if she is a legitimate member - whatever that would mean. I think people can also buy as a guest.

Back in the day when you could give out a mailing address I still would not accept a check because it would take way too long to clear for sure. I would tell buyers to send a USPS Money Order instead because that could be cashed on the spot for full face value at the post office and you could ship right away.

[masim5393]

My husband thinks she was trying to get my address and send a robber to our home.

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Your husband isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, checks were the norm here for years, and the buyer told you why she wanted to send one.

[maxine*j]

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@fab_finds4u wrote:

...  BTW, one well known site has my age off by a year and two other sites have outright wrong information about me. I've asked them to correct it and they won't...

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And one well-known, "reliable" site says I died in 1997.  🙄

[soh.maryl]

Doesn't it seem like a 19 yr eBay vet would know the rules about personal checks?

And, in addition, this particular 19 year eBay vet was offering the seller a chance to circumvent Paypal fees.

No, it does not necessarily indicate a scammer, but it would be a red flag in my humble opinion.

[soh.maryl]

What do you figure will happen if/when the OP reports this person to the local police or the FBRI?

[vintage-car-magazines]

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@pureinnocenthelp wrote:

yeah that was a scam. you should tell your local fbi or police about it. that's great that you found new way that scammers scam, it helps other people be aware. 

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@pureinnocenthelp 

What is the scam?

What should the OP tell the FBI and Police?

[yeldus2010]

Thank you for your reply. To report a buyer eBay asks for transaction number. If the transaction didn't happen how can I report the potential buyer?

[bearswatching]

LOL