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Fake Check Scam Targets Thrifty Nickel Advertisers

June 6, 2007

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A Canadian scammer is obviously scanning the classified publication Thrifty Nickel in search of U.S. victims. A Kentucky couple trying to sell an organ was a target, but didn’t take the bait.

“On Friday we received a call from Ontario, Canada about this organ. Information as to condition, price, etc. was requested. It was interesting that someone as far away as Canada had been able to get information off the Thrifty Nickel so quickly,” John, of Louisville, Kentucky told ConsumerAffairs.com.

John said the prospective buyer was eager to buy the organ, and the asking price of $750 was quickly agreed to. However, the buyer insisted on sending a cashier's check in the amount of $2050. In turn, the sellers were to deduct the price of the organ and then send the “shipper” the balance of $1300 in a cashier's check drawn on the seller's bank.

Smelling a rat, the couple balked, saying they would only accept a check for the price of the organ and would hold the merchandise for 10 days. The “buyer” then said he wasn’t interested and hung up.

Law enforcement officials say the scam is just one of the ways in which criminals pass counterfeit checks. If a victim did as the scammer requested, they would be depositing a worthless check in their account, then sending their own money to the scammer. Often a forged cashier’s check isn’t discovered by the bank for several days. John, a regular ConsumerAffairs.com reader, recognized the scheme immediately.

“A healthy skepticism is a wonderful piece of equipment for living in cyberspace,” he said.

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