Those experianced with Ebay online transactions and specifically Moneygram

[chewie8008]

Here's the deal, I put my PS2 on Ebay and then get this email through Ebay from a member wanting to buy it. So she claims she needs it quickly for a birthday party at the end of the week. She then says she'll give quite a bit more than i'm asking for it so that it can be rushed. So i'm kinda thinking scam. So I just told her, i'll sell it for that price but will not ship anything until I receive cleared payment.

So the she says she can only send Moneygram because she has an account with them. I wasn't sure what Moneygram was, other than they do money orders. So then I got a 'confirmation' email from her/MoneyGram stating that funding in the amount for the PS2 has been approved. But it's set up to where, she sends me a shipping label and then I ship the item and once it's confirmed Moneygram sends the money. She said she has no power over the money once it was approved so that if don't want to do the deal to call them and cancel payment. Here is what the email looks like from MoneyGram:

"MoneyGram ExpressPayment Releases Innovative Internet Payment Notification Service.

Dear blahblah,

Money Gram hereby congratulate you and at the same time informing you that the MoneyGram® ExpressPaymentSM sent to you from our client's (her name) has been Approved.
® Money Gram USD Amount here

Classified Item:Playstation 2 w 12 Games
Classified Site: Ebay.

MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc., has developed a new online service, Internet Payment Notification, that allows companies to view bill payment transactions online and receive real-time notification that a payment has been made and approved.
Internet Payment Notification is a browser-based application that was developed in an effort to provide increased collection efficiencies for MoneyGram's ExpressPayment customers.

MoneyGram Payment Systems also offers ExpressPayment ®, an economical bill payment service, that allows consumers to pay their auto, mortgage, credit card and other bills fast. Consumers who use ExpressPayment get guaranteed delivery of their payment. ExpressPayment is currently available at MoneyGram agents within the United States and via the Internet.


Sellers Delivery Address

My address is here


MoneyGram is a leading provider of international person-to-person money transfer. Through the MoneyGram® international money transfer network of approximately 92,000 agent locations worldwide, customers can wire cash quickly (usually within 24 hours), reliably, conveniently and at attractive prices to recipients in 170 countries. Customers in U.S. can also use the Internet to send money using MoneyGram® eMoney Transfers.

The MoneyGram will NOT be dispatched or get to your resident until the shipment has been verified. This measure is taken in order to protect both seller and buyer interests and to reduce the occurrence of fraudulent activities.So you can contact your buyer for necessary shipping document now.

****PLEASE NOTE***
Due to the fact that MoneyGram processes thousands of orders daily, MoneyGram Express Service RECOMMENDS contacting the Customer Support Representative that has been assigned to this particular Order directly. This ensures speedy verification of shipment as well as prompt dispatch of MoneyGram check. Please forward both the tracking#of the shipment and the order # to: mg_talk2customercare@accountant.com

Once shipment has been verified, You will receive a " ORDER DISPATCHED" email from MoneyGram Service informing you that the MoneyGram has been dispatched. Included will be the TIME and DATE payment is to be delivered. So contact your buyer for necessary shipping document.

Package of the Money

Money Package Tracking Number : Contact us After the shipment as been done with the shippment tracking number.


We stand out in the marketplace as the money transfer service that delivers the greatest value to its consumers. MoneyGram usually costs less than Western Union and offers consumers additional value by giving them a complimentary e-mail to tell the receiver the money is available, a 1000-word message to accompany the funds, the offer of a free MoneySaver Card discount and 100% guaranteed service (Note: service offerings may vary by geographic region). MoneyGram also gives back and invests in the communities where we do business by sponsoring and participating at local community events.

MONEYGRAM OFFICE


This order has been approved, and will be send to the Seller's address in 2-3 business days.You can now send the items to the buyer. Moreover the above ®Order Number will be ask before delivering the ®Money , you will also identify yourself with your ®driving licence or your ®Social security number.
Payment Infomation:

Cashed in by: Mrs. Mary Jah.
Payment time: .......................09:47:AM
Cashed in Date :....................07-11-2006
And if you have any questions, feel free to contact our 24 customer care service at, (mg_talk2customercare@accountant.com )
</ DIV>Thank you for using MoneyGram®ExpressPaymentSM . We look forward serving your Online Money Gram needs in the future.

Sincerely,
MoneyGram International


Auction site authorised register

Use MoneyGram® ExpressPaymentSM to pay for items on eBay,Craigslist Amazon, CNet, MSN Auctions, Yahoo and others. Customer Service Center for all customer inquiries and transaction approvals is available from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight) Central Time"

What do you guys think, scam? It sounds really fishy to me and i've never dealt with the service. It seems like quite a bit of hassle, but it is quite a good deal(money-wise). Do you guys think someone could have created this bs email or does it seem legit? Need help!

[chewie8008]

Found out it is a scam.

[stiltman]

Check the email header to make sure it was sent from their server

I notice a different email address (accountant.com ) and not moneygram

I don't see some type of confirmation #

Go to a local location to find out if it's a scam

[Abbadon]

Smells like a scam, looks like scam, sounds like a scam, it must be a scam.

The use of rush, fast, now, lots of cash is bothering me a lot.

Here is some info:

Domain name: accountant.com

Registrant Contact:
NJDomains, Abuse Contact: abuse@mail.com
Gerald Gorman (abuse@mail.com_gerald.gorman@att.net)
9086960929
Fax: none
33 Knightsbridge Rd.
Piscataway, NJ 08854
US

Administrative Contact:
NJDomains, Abuse Contact: abuse@mail.com
Gerald Gorman (abuse@mail.com_gerald.gorman@att.net)
9086960929
Fax: none
33 Knightsbridge Rd.
Piscataway, NJ 08854
US

Technical Contact:
NJDomains, Abuse Contact: abuse@mail.com
Gerald Gorman (abuse@mail.com_gerald.gorman@att.net)
9086960929
Fax: none
33 Knightsbridge Rd.
Piscataway, NJ 08854
US

Status: Locked

Name Servers:
UDNS1.ULTRADNS.NET
UDNS2.ULTRADNS.NET

Creation date: 30 Sep 1997 00:00:00
Expiration date: 29 Sep 2007 00:00:00

[fLYtRap]

Do not ever ship anything untill you are sure you got the payment no matter what they say.

[chewie8008]

I hear that even if they send money order or check that I could cash it and get the $$$ and then the bank finds out later that it's fraudulent so I have to pay it back. Which makes sense, but how can I make sure it's real before cashing? Can I tell the bank to check it somehow, or hold it for however long it takes to verify it 100% before cashing. I have been told that paypal is my best bet, but now, someone has already clicked the buyitnow on one of my other auctions and won my items.

He/she said they'd send western union online money order. It sounds suspicious as well...
This person doesn't seem to be in a big rush, and is allowing me time to receive payment...but I need to know it's legit before sending...

X
Dear chewie8008,

I will be sending payment of US $220.00 via Money Order/CashierCheck shortly.

I will like to purchase this Xbox for resell in my Store, and i will be paying you the BUY IT NOW price for the item. And i will be handling shipping with my FEDEX account where by you will be dropping off the package for me in any FEDEX office around you with the FEDEX shipping label and invoice i will send you. I will also be paying via western union online money order. So email me back as soon as you can.

Item # Item Title Qty. Price
200044472978 Microsoft Xbox w 11 games 1 US $210.00



Subtotal: US $210.00
Shipping and handling: US $10.00
Shipping insurance (not offered): --

Total: US $220.00

Please ship to the following address:
her address in MN


I will send payment to the following address:
my address

Thank you.

manouk2000 "

Then I checked her history and this is what was there...


SNEL ALLES AFGEHANDELD KAN NIET BETER BEDANKT veel plezier ermee
bmw535iauto(371) Jun-03-06 8276217338


great ebayer
ericajday(2927) May-26-06 9319619687


Quick payment, thank you!
ericajday(2927) May-26-06 9317771784


prima ebayer! Graag tot ziens!
lenina104(55) Dec-14-05 4789762180


Snel antwoord en directe betaling. Perfect! Bedankt.
annigje74(3766) Apr-17-05 5573091983


Snel antwoord en directe betaling. Perfect! Bedankt.
annigje74(3766) Apr-17-05 5380438569


Snel antwoord en directe betaling. Perfect! Bedankt.
xmbo-com(7772) Feb-13-05 3871273331


Goede communicatie. Prettig om zaken mee te doen.
apje76(1754) Dec-13-04 6725289578


bedankt oke
de_paradijsvogel(4950) Dec-13-04 6721090583


sneller dan het licht! veel plezier met de majo!
verbree7(197) Nov-24-04 6722336302


SUPERSNELLE BETALING, VEEL PLEZIER VAN HET GEKOCHTE, GRAAG TOT EBAY'S !!!
eltikids(1850) Nov-07-04 6719968617


Fantastic fast payment Great EBayer much appreciated A++++
valeriemary0(422) Nov-05-04 6718174811


perecte ebayer, super snelle betaling, vriendelijk, gewoon een top ebayer
crystal_angel_1(606) Nov-03-04 6716705367


Prima verlopen veiling! Alles zeer snel en netjes afgehandeld, TOP!
boywilson(191) Oct-19-04 6713333293


tuut tuut ... dat is snel! hoop tot een volgende keer )
zazu_nl(391) Jun-18-04 3485425473


Super snel ontvangen, goed shirtje, goede ebayer, TOP!
floris0_0(32) Apr-27-04 3473721760


mooi nieuw shirtje, goede snelle afhandeling.
gitaar1965(96)
no longer a registered user Apr-24-04 3472196964


Bedankt! Heel blij met de Tommy spijkerjurk en de snelle levering !
rtc.brk(72) Apr-15-04 3472198238


Bedankt voor het mooie shirtje! Vlotte verzending.
aber97(99) Apr-15-04 3472034045


prima afhandeling ++

The history dates back to 2004 but it's all pretty much in foreign languages and two of the users aren't even registered users anymore...

[budz]

chewie8008 why even bother allowing people who live outside of the USA to bid/buy your auctions if you're not sure whether or not the payments will be legit.

[MackemX]

forget it mate as it's got warning signs all over it, simple enough

you may want to edit your email in your posts also

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

It´s one of the oldest scams.

I have received at least 6 during my years as an Ebayer.

Like FlYtRap Says:

Do not ever ship anything untill you are sure you got the payment no matter what they say.

[lordsmurf]

Report the eBay member to eBay, get their account cancelled.

[chewie8008]

I reported it to Ebay and am awaiting a response. Hopefully they will let me restart me auction. She ended it when she did the Buyitnow. I emailed her telling her basically that i'll only accept paypal and I will not ship anything until I have cash in my hands. Told her that i've had people trying to rip me and it's not gonna happen again. Haven't heard from here yet, so I figure she's just gonna forget it.

Thanks for the info.