Pianotech

Hi List

Well once again, I've seen the creativity and stupidity of these scammers who try to pull a fast one. I have a piano listed on Craigslist, and 90% of the replies I get from that are scammers, which I don't even acknowledge the texts as they are so outrageous. Then I got an interesting text from one guy in Pennsylvania. I replied that only phone call conversations, and no texts, demonstrates if he was serious or not.

Sure enough, he revealed himself and called me. Of course, I can't confirm who is, but nonetheless, he called.  And he even sent his driver's license as proof. And of course, that could have been a stolen card.  I continued to play along.  Then he said he was going to send the check quickly. I told him out the check was to be made out, and for the amount.  I made it clear that he would be pay the moving company directly, as when they want to it bundle the charges, that's where the scam starts to reveal itself. So I continued to play along further. I get a text from him at 4:30am yesterday, announcing that the check is arriving today. Well sure enough, here comes UPS with an overnight delivery. The piano was cost was $6800, and now I'm looking at a check for $10,000. Another red flag, but a side of me is thinking, well maybe this is for real. Then I called him explaining that the amount was incorrect, and I'm not getting involved any delivery arrangements.  Then he keeps talking, "oh, its good, don't worry"...yada,  yada and he continued to ramble on in a nervous voice.

Then the Dad side of me stepped up to the plate and to make a teaching moment, and I told him, "son, what you are attempting to do commit grand theft and mail fraud ,and punishable with a heft prison sentence. Hearing his voice quiver a bit and become a little timid, was proof that he heard me. I asked him if he was sure that he want to continue with this charade?  He kept trying to defend himself. At that point, I told him that this deal wasn't going to happen, I would take the check to the police and let them figure this one out.  And boy, you should have heard his voice!

And I did, in fact, go to our local sheriff's office to at least make a little stink about this. The deputy said that they get these all day long. The deputy said that ID was probably stolen, the check from the bank was probably fraudulent, and he said, quite frankly sir..." rip up this check right now and block the caller".  He said if I would have deposited the check, most likely it wouldn't be revealed as a fraudulent check for several weeks, and then I would have to deal with all the bank issues.

Anyhow, this was the first time I actually had verbal contact with someone on the other end posing as a real buyer. Witnessing the human side of the of the scammer unfold was very interesting...and quite frankly, kind of made my day. As much as it got my blood boiling, I hope that he digested some of the tongue lashing I gave him. I wish some of these people would use their tenacity and perseverance in more constructive ways and help society along, instead of trying to pull fast ones on the unknowing. But unfortunately, that's the world we live in. 

Hi List

Well once again, I've seen the creativity and stupidity of these scammers who try to pull a fast one. I have a piano listed on Craigslist, and 90% of the replies I get from that are scammers, which I don't even acknowledge the texts as they are so outrageous. Then I got an interesting text from one guy in Pennsylvania. I replied that only phone call conversations, and no texts, demonstrates if he was serious or not.

Sure enough, he revealed himself and called me. Of course, I can't confirm who is, but nonetheless, he called.  And he even sent his driver's license as proof. And of course, that could have been a stolen card.  I continued to play along.  Then he said he was going to send the check quickly. I told him out the check was to be made out, and for the amount.  I made it clear that he would be pay the moving company directly, as when they want to it bundle the charges, that's where the scam starts to reveal itself. So I continued to play along further. I get a text from him at 4:30am yesterday, announcing that the check is arriving today. Well sure enough, here comes UPS with an overnight delivery. The piano was cost was $6800, and now I'm looking at a check for $10,000. Another red flag, but a side of me is thinking, well maybe this is for real. Then I called him explaining that the amount was incorrect, and I'm not getting involved any delivery arrangements.  Then he keeps talking, "oh, its good, don't worry"...yada,  yada and he continued to ramble on in a nervous voice.

Then the Dad side of me stepped up to the plate and to make a teaching moment, and I told him, "son, what you are attempting to do commit grand theft and mail fraud ,and punishable with a heft prison sentence. Hearing his voice quiver a bit and become a little timid, was proof that he heard me. I asked him if he was sure that he want to continue with this charade?  He kept trying to defend himself. At that point, I told him that this deal wasn't going to happen, I would take the check to the police and let them figure this one out.  And boy, you should have heard his voice!

And I did, in fact, go to our local sheriff's office to at least make a little stink about this. The deputy said that they get these all day long. The deputy said that ID was probably stolen, the check from the bank was probably fraudulent, and he said, quite frankly sir..." rip up this check right now and block the caller".  He said if I would have deposited the check, most likely it wouldn't be revealed as a fraudulent check for several weeks, and then I would have to deal with all the bank issues.

Anyhow, this was the first time I actually had verbal contact with someone on the other end posing as a real buyer. Witnessing the human side of the of the scammer unfold was very interesting...and quite frankly, kind of made my day. As much as it got my blood boiling, I hope that he digested some of the tongue lashing I gave him. I wish some of these people would use their tenacity and perseverance in more constructive ways and help society along, instead of trying to pull fast ones on the unknowing. But unfortunately, that's the world we live in. 

Hi List

Well once again, I've seen the creativity and stupidity of these scammers who try to pull a fast one. I have a piano listed on Craigslist, and 90% of the replies I get from that are scammers, which I don't even acknowledge the texts as they are so outrageous. Then I got an interesting text from one guy in Pennsylvania. I replied that only phone call conversations, and no texts, demonstrates if he was serious or not.

Sure enough, he revealed himself and called me. Of course, I can't confirm who is, but nonetheless, he called.  And he even sent his driver's license as proof. And of course, that could have been a stolen card.  I continued to play along.  Then he said he was going to send the check quickly. I told him out the check was to be made out, and for the amount.  I made it clear that he would be pay the moving company directly, as when they want to it bundle the charges, that's where the scam starts to reveal itself. So I continued to play along further. I get a text from him at 4:30am yesterday, announcing that the check is arriving today. Well sure enough, here comes UPS with an overnight delivery. The piano was cost was $6800, and now I'm looking at a check for $10,000. Another red flag, but a side of me is thinking, well maybe this is for real. Then I called him explaining that the amount was incorrect, and I'm not getting involved any delivery arrangements.  Then he keeps talking, "oh, its good, don't worry"...yada,  yada and he continued to ramble on in a nervous voice.

Then the Dad side of me stepped up to the plate and to make a teaching moment, and I told him, "son, what you are attempting to do commit grand theft and mail fraud ,and punishable with a heft prison sentence. Hearing his voice quiver a bit and become a little timid, was proof that he heard me. I asked him if he was sure that he want to continue with this charade?  He kept trying to defend himself. At that point, I told him that this deal wasn't going to happen, I would take the check to the police and let them figure this one out.  And boy, you should have heard his voice!

And I did, in fact, go to our local sheriff's office to at least make a little stink about this. The deputy said that they get these all day long. The deputy said that ID was probably stolen, the check from the bank was probably fraudulent, and he said, quite frankly sir..." rip up this check right now and block the caller".  He said if I would have deposited the check, most likely it wouldn't be revealed as a fraudulent check for several weeks, and then I would have to deal with all the bank issues.

Anyhow, this was the first time I actually had verbal contact with someone on the other end posing as a real buyer. Witnessing the human side of the of the scammer unfold was very interesting...and quite frankly, kind of made my day. As much as it got my blood boiling, I hope that he digested some of the tongue lashing I gave him. I wish some of these people would use their tenacity and perseverance in more constructive ways and help society along, instead of trying to pull fast ones on the unknowing. But unfortunately, that's the world we live in. 

Hi List

Well once again, I've seen the creativity and stupidity of these scammers who try to pull a fast one. I have a piano listed on Craigslist, and 90% of the replies I get from that are scammers, which I don't even acknowledge the texts as they are so outrageous. Then I got an interesting text from one guy in Pennsylvania. I replied that only phone call conversations, and no texts, demonstrates if he was serious or not.

Sure enough, he revealed himself and called me. Of course, I can't confirm who is, but nonetheless, he called.  And he even sent his driver's license as proof. And of course, that could have been a stolen card.  I continued to play along.  Then he said he was going to send the check quickly. I told him out the check was to be made out, and for the amount.  I made it clear that he would be pay the moving company directly, as when they want to it bundle the charges, that's where the scam starts to reveal itself. So I continued to play along further. I get a text from him at 4:30am yesterday, announcing that the check is arriving today. Well sure enough, here comes UPS with an overnight delivery. The piano was cost was $6800, and now I'm looking at a check for $10,000. Another red flag, but a side of me is thinking, well maybe this is for real. Then I called him explaining that the amount was incorrect, and I'm not getting involved any delivery arrangements.  Then he keeps talking, "oh, its good, don't worry"...yada,  yada and he continued to ramble on in a nervous voice.

Then the Dad side of me stepped up to the plate and to make a teaching moment, and I told him, "son, what you are attempting to do commit grand theft and mail fraud ,and punishable with a heft prison sentence. Hearing his voice quiver a bit and become a little timid, was proof that he heard me. I asked him if he was sure that he want to continue with this charade?  He kept trying to defend himself. At that point, I told him that this deal wasn't going to happen, I would take the check to the police and let them figure this one out.  And boy, you should have heard his voice!

And I did, in fact, go to our local sheriff's office to at least make a little stink about this. The deputy said that they get these all day long. The deputy said that ID was probably stolen, the check from the bank was probably fraudulent, and he said, quite frankly sir..." rip up this check right now and block the caller".  He said if I would have deposited the check, most likely it wouldn't be revealed as a fraudulent check for several weeks, and then I would have to deal with all the bank issues.

Anyhow, this was the first time I actually had verbal contact with someone on the other end posing as a real buyer. Witnessing the human side of the of the scammer unfold was very interesting...and quite frankly, kind of made my day. As much as it got my blood boiling, I hope that he digested some of the tongue lashing I gave him. I wish some of these people would use their tenacity and perseverance in more constructive ways and help society along, instead of trying to pull fast ones on the unknowing. But unfortunately, that's the world we live in. 

Hi List

Well once again, I've seen the creativity and stupidity of these scammers who try to pull a fast one. I have a piano listed on Craigslist, and 90% of the replies I get from that are scammers, which I don't even acknowledge the texts as they are so outrageous. Then I got an interesting text from one guy in Pennsylvania. I replied that only phone call conversations, and no texts, demonstrates if he was serious or not.

Sure enough, he revealed himself and called me. Of course, I can't confirm who is, but nonetheless, he called.  And he even sent his driver's license as proof. And of course, that could have been a stolen card.  I continued to play along.  Then he said he was going to send the check quickly. I told him out the check was to be made out, and for the amount.  I made it clear that he would be pay the moving company directly, as when they want to it bundle the charges, that's where the scam starts to reveal itself. So I continued to play along further. I get a text from him at 4:30am yesterday, announcing that the check is arriving today. Well sure enough, here comes UPS with an overnight delivery. The piano was cost was $6800, and now I'm looking at a check for $10,000. Another red flag, but a side of me is thinking, well maybe this is for real. Then I called him explaining that the amount was incorrect, and I'm not getting involved any delivery arrangements.  Then he keeps talking, "oh, its good, don't worry"...yada,  yada and he continued to ramble on in a nervous voice.

Then the Dad side of me stepped up to the plate and to make a teaching moment, and I told him, "son, what you are attempting to do commit grand theft and mail fraud ,and punishable with a heft prison sentence. Hearing his voice quiver a bit and become a little timid, was proof that he heard me. I asked him if he was sure that he want to continue with this charade?  He kept trying to defend himself. At that point, I told him that this deal wasn't going to happen, I would take the check to the police and let them figure this one out.  And boy, you should have heard his voice!

And I did, in fact, go to our local sheriff's office to at least make a little stink about this. The deputy said that they get these all day long. The deputy said that ID was probably stolen, the check from the bank was probably fraudulent, and he said, quite frankly sir..." rip up this check right now and block the caller".  He said if I would have deposited the check, most likely it wouldn't be revealed as a fraudulent check for several weeks, and then I would have to deal with all the bank issues.

Anyhow, this was the first time I actually had verbal contact with someone on the other end posing as a real buyer. Witnessing the human side of the of the scammer unfold was very interesting...and quite frankly, kind of made my day. As much as it got my blood boiling, I hope that he digested some of the tongue lashing I gave him. I wish some of these people would use their tenacity and perseverance in more constructive ways and help society along, instead of trying to pull fast ones on the unknowing. But unfortunately, that's the world we live in. 

Hi List

Well once again, I've seen the creativity and stupidity of these scammers who try to pull a fast one. I have a piano listed on Craigslist, and 90% of the replies I get from that are scammers, which I don't even acknowledge the texts as they are so outrageous. Then I got an interesting text from one guy in Pennsylvania. I replied that only phone call conversations, and no texts, demonstrates if he was serious or not.

Sure enough, he revealed himself and called me. Of course, I can't confirm who is, but nonetheless, he called.  And he even sent his driver's license as proof. And of course, that could have been a stolen card.  I continued to play along.  Then he said he was going to send the check quickly. I told him out the check was to be made out, and for the amount.  I made it clear that he would be pay the moving company directly, as when they want to it bundle the charges, that's where the scam starts to reveal itself. So I continued to play along further. I get a text from him at 4:30am yesterday, announcing that the check is arriving today. Well sure enough, here comes UPS with an overnight delivery. The piano was cost was $6800, and now I'm looking at a check for $10,000. Another red flag, but a side of me is thinking, well maybe this is for real. Then I called him explaining that the amount was incorrect, and I'm not getting involved any delivery arrangements.  Then he keeps talking, "oh, its good, don't worry"...yada,  yada and he continued to ramble on in a nervous voice.

Then the Dad side of me stepped up to the plate and to make a teaching moment, and I told him, "son, what you are attempting to do commit grand theft and mail fraud ,and punishable with a heft prison sentence. Hearing his voice quiver a bit and become a little timid, was proof that he heard me. I asked him if he was sure that he want to continue with this charade?  He kept trying to defend himself. At that point, I told him that this deal wasn't going to happen, I would take the check to the police and let them figure this one out.  And boy, you should have heard his voice!

And I did, in fact, go to our local sheriff's office to at least make a little stink about this. The deputy said that they get these all day long. The deputy said that ID was probably stolen, the check from the bank was probably fraudulent, and he said, quite frankly sir..." rip up this check right now and block the caller".  He said if I would have deposited the check, most likely it wouldn't be revealed as a fraudulent check for several weeks, and then I would have to deal with all the bank issues.

Anyhow, this was the first time I actually had verbal contact with someone on the other end posing as a real buyer. Witnessing the human side of the of the scammer unfold was very interesting...and quite frankly, kind of made my day. As much as it got my blood boiling, I hope that he digested some of the tongue lashing I gave him. I wish some of these people would use their tenacity and perseverance in more constructive ways and help society along, instead of trying to pull fast ones on the unknowing. But unfortunately, that's the world we live in. 

Hi List

Well once again, I've seen the creativity and stupidity of these scammers who try to pull a fast one. I have a piano listed on Craigslist, and 90% of the replies I get from that are scammers, which I don't even acknowledge the texts as they are so outrageous. Then I got an interesting text from one guy in Pennsylvania. I replied that only phone call conversations, and no texts, demonstrates if he was serious or not.

Sure enough, he revealed himself and called me. Of course, I can't confirm who is, but nonetheless, he called.  And he even sent his driver's license as proof. And of course, that could have been a stolen card.  I continued to play along.  Then he said he was going to send the check quickly. I told him out the check was to be made out, and for the amount.  I made it clear that he would be pay the moving company directly, as when they want to it bundle the charges, that's where the scam starts to reveal itself. So I continued to play along further. I get a text from him at 4:30am yesterday, announcing that the check is arriving today. Well sure enough, here comes UPS with an overnight delivery. The piano was cost was $6800, and now I'm looking at a check for $10,000. Another red flag, but a side of me is thinking, well maybe this is for real. Then I called him explaining that the amount was incorrect, and I'm not getting involved any delivery arrangements.  Then he keeps talking, "oh, its good, don't worry"...yada,  yada and he continued to ramble on in a nervous voice.

Then the Dad side of me stepped up to the plate and to make a teaching moment, and I told him, "son, what you are attempting to do commit grand theft and mail fraud ,and punishable with a heft prison sentence. Hearing his voice quiver a bit and become a little timid, was proof that he heard me. I asked him if he was sure that he want to continue with this charade?  He kept trying to defend himself. At that point, I told him that this deal wasn't going to happen, I would take the check to the police and let them figure this one out.  And boy, you should have heard his voice!

And I did, in fact, go to our local sheriff's office to at least make a little stink about this. The deputy said that they get these all day long. The deputy said that ID was probably stolen, the check from the bank was probably fraudulent, and he said, quite frankly sir..." rip up this check right now and block the caller".  He said if I would have deposited the check, most likely it wouldn't be revealed as a fraudulent check for several weeks, and then I would have to deal with all the bank issues.

Anyhow, this was the first time I actually had verbal contact with someone on the other end posing as a real buyer. Witnessing the human side of the of the scammer unfold was very interesting...and quite frankly, kind of made my day. As much as it got my blood boiling, I hope that he digested some of the tongue lashing I gave him. I wish some of these people would use their tenacity and perseverance in more constructive ways and help society along, instead of trying to pull fast ones on the unknowing. But unfortunately, that's the world we live in. 

Hi List

Well once again, I've seen the creativity and stupidity of these scammers who try to pull a fast one. I have a piano listed on Craigslist, and 90% of the replies I get from that are scammers, which I don't even acknowledge the texts as they are so outrageous. Then I got an interesting text from one guy in Pennsylvania. I replied that only phone call conversations, and no texts, demonstrates if he was serious or not.

Sure enough, he revealed himself and called me. Of course, I can't confirm who is, but nonetheless, he called.  And he even sent his driver's license as proof. And of course, that could have been a stolen card.  I continued to play along.  Then he said he was going to send the check quickly. I told him out the check was to be made out, and for the amount.  I made it clear that he would be pay the moving company directly, as when they want to it bundle the charges, that's where the scam starts to reveal itself. So I continued to play along further. I get a text from him at 4:30am yesterday, announcing that the check is arriving today. Well sure enough, here comes UPS with an overnight delivery. The piano was cost was $6800, and now I'm looking at a check for $10,000. Another red flag, but a side of me is thinking, well maybe this is for real. Then I called him explaining that the amount was incorrect, and I'm not getting involved any delivery arrangements.  Then he keeps talking, "oh, its good, don't worry"...yada,  yada and he continued to ramble on in a nervous voice.

Then the Dad side of me stepped up to the plate and to make a teaching moment, and I told him, "son, what you are attempting to do commit grand theft and mail fraud ,and punishable with a heft prison sentence. Hearing his voice quiver a bit and become a little timid, was proof that he heard me. I asked him if he was sure that he want to continue with this charade?  He kept trying to defend himself. At that point, I told him that this deal wasn't going to happen, I would take the check to the police and let them figure this one out.  And boy, you should have heard his voice!

And I did, in fact, go to our local sheriff's office to at least make a little stink about this. The deputy said that they get these all day long. The deputy said that ID was probably stolen, the check from the bank was probably fraudulent, and he said, quite frankly sir..." rip up this check right now and block the caller".  He said if I would have deposited the check, most likely it wouldn't be revealed as a fraudulent check for several weeks, and then I would have to deal with all the bank issues.

Anyhow, this was the first time I actually had verbal contact with someone on the other end posing as a real buyer. Witnessing the human side of the of the scammer unfold was very interesting...and quite frankly, kind of made my day. As much as it got my blood boiling, I hope that he digested some of the tongue lashing I gave him. I wish some of these people would use their tenacity and perseverance in more constructive ways and help society along, instead of trying to pull fast ones on the unknowing. But unfortunately, that's the world we live in.