About 2 weeks ago I listed the 8" rear axle out of theFalcon on Craigslist. I got a response pretty soon and switched the e mails toa GMail account. After a couple ofexchanges of mail it started to get a little squirrelly when there was not much interest in the partsthemselves. Then a real red flag popped up with the request to send the "change" via Western Unionfirst to one address and then another. At that point Ipulled the plug on the transaction by telling the correspondent that I wouldnot take payment for more than the actual asking amount and that the paymentshould be in cash when the parts werepicked up. Today a US Postal 2nd dayenvelope showed up in the mail with a check in it but no other documentation. The check was" drawn" on a collegein Indiana for about 6 times the sales price and the return address on the envelope was from a roofing contractorin NYC!
I have contacted my lawyer who recommended contacting thepolice. The police advised that since Ihad not lost any money to bring the documents down to the fraud division sometimebut that they would not be able to do much. I also contacted the college andthey said the check wasn't theirs and not to cash it. They were not interestedin even seeing the check. And as far asI can see Craigslist does not have a place to register a complaint about thiskind of fraud.
Lessons learned:
Don't use Craigslist, use a specific web site such as YBF orthe Falcon site. I don't know how theHAMB site is for parts, it is quite a bit bigger but might be OK
If you do use Craigslist, use their e mail response until you are sure thetransaction is on the up & up
Have a junk e mail account so that if the transaction goes bad your primary e mail will not need to be changed.
If anyone even mentions sending money via Western Union cut offall contact
Do not cash any third party checks. I am told the bank where you cash it will holdyou responsible.
Do not expect much help or response from the cops or anybodyelse.
Doug TThe Highlands, Louisville, Ky.
