Scammer alert !!!!!
 

not sure how or where to post this maybe make a sticky message out of it to warn other racers!!!

I was recently contacted by text regarding an engine I have for sale on Racing Junk---the guy that responded said his name is Thomas M Wester ---he is well known on RJ -yellow bullet- and a few other sights as being dishonest---Scam goes like this " saw your ad on RJ want to buy it what is the condition or your best price?" then you give him a number and he comes back I'll send you a check from Wells Fargo for several HUNDREDS or THOUSANDS of dollars MORE THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE--you( the seller) keep your money and forward the extra to his "shipper" to cover shipping charges---you cash the check and in a few weeks it comes back NO GOOD--- in the mean time you have sent Thomas the extra money he has picked up the item you are selling and you just lost both your money and your items--- The contacts he has been using are
EMAIL- westermthomas001@gmail.com
TEXT- 802-327-8726
TEXT 424-319-0416

Post Office said it was mailed from Topeka KS --
802 is an area code in West Los Angeles area
424 is an area code in Northern Vermont

According to others he has been doing this for some time (years) and recently tried to purchase a motorhome for $85,000 a trailer for $7,000 my engine for $8,000 and some transmissions and blowers amounts not given plus other items or prices not identified from various websites ----Just a word to those trying to sell things be very cautious how you conduct your transactions .

I have reported him to the Post Office and I am meeting with the postal inspectors/fraud people tomorrow morning to see if they can catch him----BE CAREFUL Dick Ullrich FED 387

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

If possible - use a land-line in your ad. That will prevent the text scammers from being able to contact you that way.

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

This is an old scam, been happening for years now.

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

Cash only has worked for me. (NO GUNS, NO TRADES)
Then telling them to meet at the local sheriff or police department for pick up, gets rid of the riff raff pretty quick.

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

I got a call a few min ago saying I had won 29.1 mil. Then they wanted me to provide SS# and a bank account number to transfer money into. Oh, I also won a new Mercedes. It's suppose to be delivered within the hour. Damn I'm lucky. lol

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

Anyone with a cell phone lives Scam Alert everyday all day. Mercy!

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

There are two other scams:

1. You get an email message saying they want to purchase your item and they want to send you a verification code with a link via a text message. If you agree, receive the text message and click on the link, they get access to all the information on your cellular and emails.
   
2. If you are selling a vehicle, they claim they want to verify you are the owner and they send you a link via email or text message. When you click is for a site that charges $20.00 to $30.00 for an ownership verification. If you do so, they charge you the fee and nothing happens and the buyer disappears plus the money you pay for the verification.

A way to stop the scammers and it has work great for me is to put at the end of any ads in Craigslist or other sites the following warning:

"SCAMMERS - DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ASKING FOR A VERIFICATION CODE TO TRY TO STEAL MY IDENTITY OR GO TO A LINK TO VERIFY OWNERSHIP- IF YOU TRY, I WILL FORWARD YOUR CELLULAR NUMBER TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISION FOR PROSECUTION!

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/"

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

That's an old one. They try new stuff all the time. If your personal phone rings, and it's not someone already on your contact list, chances are it's someone trying to steal from you.

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

How could anyone fall for something like this?

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

Wire transfer

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

Tell him to send you a cashier check or certified check,before you send anything. If something does show up in the mail, take it to your bank and have them send it for collection through Federal Reserve. If it clears through the Fed. you win, as your bank and the Fed has just guarenteed the money.I guess I worked at a bank years ago for a reason.

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

OK Update!!!! Priority Mail envelope arrived today from Go-Animate INC. return address is 204East 2nd. Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401--- inside was a regular looking company check from Go-Animate with an address of 204 East 2nd Av3 Suite 638, San Mateo, CA 94401---check is drawn on Silicon Valley Bank 3003 Tasman Drive Santa Clara, CA 95054--NOT A CASHIERS CHECK FROM WELLS FARGO as he said he was sending---- Called the bank and the voice message said to contact the USPS about any checks as they will no longer answer any questions over the phone regarding balances etc. said to contact law enforcement--- L/M at Go-Animate to call me regarding the check see if they bother to call back---So I have a check that I'm going to ask my bank how to proceed with it as well BUT I still have my engine and parts ---not really going to pursue this any more than spend the next 15 minutes to verify if the check is good or not already filed a complaint with the fraud div USPS---- If anything happens I'll let everyone know--- FED 387

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

AMEN Tommy, if a deal is too good to be true …..

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

I DID NOT FALL FOR ANYTHING ---I have been approached on items I have had for in the past .They all use the same scenario which I am fully aware of--- I WAS JUST WARNING OTHERS OF THIS GUY AND HIS SCHEME--- have a nice day FED 387

Re: Scammer alert !!!!!
 

No one will pay any attention to this. Not enough money involved. No money or property lost. Not enough resources to put a dent in it. Happens a million times a day.

My advice is be glad you're not out anything, shred the check, stop providing personal information, use burner emails or forum PMs to vet people before providing phone numbers, addresses, etc., do not respond to similar "deals" in the future.