Another message re: Bill Erickson

[hoosiermarty]

Got a check in the mail today to purchase my advertised timeshare. And guess what?? It is from Bill Erickson. It is a cashiers check drawn on a bank in the US however, the envelope came from either Canada or England. I figure that is where the stamp is from. No return address. The check is for $l2,000.00 which is only $4,000 more than I need. Do you think for one moment that I am that stupid to fall for the scam. When will I get the Email from him explaining that he sent me too much and could I send him a check for the balance.

I know that this has been on here before but I am reporting his scam again in hopes that someone who is not aware of this person ( and I use that term loosely) will not get sucked in.

 

[hoosiermarty]

Elaine, got your email, I live in Northwest Indiana near Valparaiso. Yes, I can save the envelope and so forth . Didn't know how to reply to your message so I am posting here. Let me know. Thanks, I agree, he needs to be stopped.

 

[toni3063]

Got a check in the mail today to purchase my advertised timeshare. And guess what?? It is from Bill Erickson. It is a cashiers check drawn on a bank in the US however, the envelope came from either Canada or England. I figure that is where the stamp is from. No return address. The check is for $l2,000.00 which is only $4,000 more than I need. Do you think for one moment that I am that stupid to fall for the scam. When will I get the Email from him explaining that he sent me too much and could I send him a check for the balance.

I know that this has been on here before but I am reporting his scam again in hopes that someone who is not aware of this person ( and I use that term loosely) will not get sucked in.

How did he get your address????

 

[Keitht]

Wait for the e-mail regarding the 'overpayment' and then ask for a return address for the check as you will only accept a check for the correct amount.
In the unlikely event that he provides a return address inform the police.

 

[elaine]

ok--I will see if I can find someone in the next week or two

to private mssg--just click reply on a mssg. You can also click on a name in the box on these mssgs and it gives you the option of sending private mssg. Definitely save the stuff and I will put out a few feelers.

 

[caribbean]

Contact the bank that the check was drawn on. Ask to speak to the fraud section. You really need to report this to them. They may want you to take certain actions in order to track this guy.

 

[jazzfan]

Got a check in the mail today to purchase my advertised timeshare. And guess what?? It is from Bill Erickson. It is a cashiers check drawn on a bank in the US however, the envelope came from either Canada or England. I figure that is where the stamp is from. No return address. The check is for $l2,000.00 which is only $4,000 more than I need. Do you think for one moment that I am that stupid to fall for the scam. When will I get the Email from him explaining that he sent me too much and could I send him a check for the balance.

I know that this has been on here before but I am reporting his scam again in hopes that someone who is not aware of this person ( and I use that term loosely) will not get sucked in.

Is there any reason why you can't try to cash it? What's the harm in trying? If it bounces as you likely expect, get the check back, cross out the $12,000, write in $4000 and send the guy his change.

 

[Babs from UK]

Bill Erikson

The cheque may well be fraudulent. The scam works by you sending him a cheque for the refund and then, 3 months later the cheque from "Bill" is found to be stolen or false.

 

[Dave M]

Is there any reason why you can't try to cash it?

The best reason is that the OP will likely incur a hefty bank charge for the chargeback when (not "if") the check bounces.

A less expensive way, which also follows caribbean's advice, is to call the bank (Google it for a phone number) and ask if the check is valid. When the bank says it isn't, you can provide whatever info the bank requests.

 

[Gadabout]

The best reason is that the OP will likely incur a hefty bank charge for the chargeback when (not "if") the check bounces.

A less expensive way, which also follows caribbean's advice, is to call the bank (Google it for a phone number) and ask if the check is valid. When the bank says it isn't, you can provide whatever info the bank requests.

Don't be surprised if they aren't interested, and just tell you to tear it up. One of our friends had a similar thing happen (not TS-related), and the bank said the account's closed, just tear up the check.

See this thread, for more indications that the banks don't really care:

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18551

Although it might be a good story for "sweeps" month in the news, great story to have a reporter listening in while the bank person tells you to just tear it up....

 

[hoosiermarty]

To answer a question about how he got my address. I didn't realize this was a scam at the beginning and I gave him the address.

Now, today I got a follow-up email from him. It said. """I want to know if you have receive the payment...please contact me immediately you receive it.. Thanks and God bless you.."""

My reply was--- Yes, I got it.

Now we will see.

 

[hoosiermarty]

Today's email instructs me to return the overpayment to a contractor. He will send me the info for the return later. like I don't think so.