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Use Common Sense When Shopping Classifieds

ByHarry Engel

Every week we hear about this particular scam.  Over the years, we’ve developed a respect for the people who run this racket.  They keep doing it.  Year after year.  And in spite of our warnings, doctors keep falling for it.  Consider yourself warned.

The typical scenrio:
Doctor recieves an inquiry.  Perhaps asking if it is sold or how much.  Seller gets excited to have a buyer…  Buyer is out of town and offers to pay by cashiers check.   Buyer sends a check or certified check or cashiers check for more than the agreed upon sales price.  The extra money for their agent  to arrange shipping or pickup, and you pay the agent.

Typical outcome:
You cash the check, the check is fraudulent even though it appears to be a real cashiers check on a real bank.  You pay the agent.  Your check bounces.  The bank comes after you for the amount of the bounced check plus fees.

Action steps:

  1. Don’t accept an overpayment.
  2. Engage the buyer on the phone.  Chat them, learn about their clinic or chiropractic intent.  Look them up on the internet.  This step cuts out most fraud.
  3. Local pickup is best. That said, we facilitate lots of cross country sales.  Consider services escrow service like escrow.com to keep the transaction safe for both parties and U.ship.com to pack and ship bigger items.  Buyer can pay those fees directly.
  4. If you come across a scammer, let us know. We will ban them and delete their account.  Don’t feel bad for them, they will resurface in a few days with a new name and email.