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Attn. Dealers - Fraud Alert Winter Haven, FL * 10/23 update*

nencoinnencoin Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭✭
Dealers, if you receive any orders from someone located on 16th Street NW in Winter Haven, FL, please do NOT ship without contacting us first. We have more investigating to do, but it appears this person closed his bank account or sent us a bogus check to pay for a gold coin.



Edited to add:



Turns out the check is bogus and the account number does not exist. The check definitely looked good and all the security measures checked out. Still, we waited five business days before shipping the coin. On the SIXTH day, our bank informs us the check is no good. Fortunately, we shipped it via Registered Mail and the coin has not been delivered yet. Our post office is working with the destination post office and it looks like we will be able to retrieve the package. Unfortunately, we know of at least one other dealer who got scammed by this guy and their coin has already been delivered.



Here is this loser's complete contact info:



Thomas Harvey

1887 16th Street NW

Winter Haven, FL 33881

polkboatrentals@aol.com

863.399.7496



image

Comments

  • Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the heads-up !!!
    Timbuk3
  • nencoinnencoin Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭✭
    Replied for bump purposes. Also, sorry for the lack of spacing. Apparently the ability to create paragraphs went away with this new forum.
  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 14,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks.
    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • CoinRaritiesOnlineCoinRaritiesOnline Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭✭
    Thanks!
  • giorgio11giorgio11 Posts: 4,194 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the heads up.



    Best Regards,



    George
    VDBCoins.com Our Registry Sets Many successful BSTs; pls ask.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This type of notice is an excellent use of the forum... hope it saves some members

    from losses... Cheers, RickO
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 24,406 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: ricko
    This type of notice is an excellent use of the forum... hope it saves some members
    from losses... Cheers, RickO

    image
  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,649 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Please do update us as to the outcome with the Post Office. I

    want to hear if they actually follow through, intercept the

    package and send it back to you. I am guessing their

    interest in helping you will be if there is a police report and if this

    falls into the realm of mail fraud of sorts...or using the mail system

    to commit fraud? Thanks!
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner. :smile:
  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,308 ✭✭✭
    I wish the Post Office in FL would do sort of a sting operation where they attempt to deliver the Registered package and catch the scum bucket in the act. I know this would take coordination from multiple G'ment departments on short notice, but it may be worth a try. In reality, it probably isn't a top priority at all for them to try to catch someone like this for fraud.
    @ Elite CNC Routing & Woodworks on Facebook. Check out my work.
    Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
  • goldengolden Posts: 10,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: guitarwes
    I wish the Post Office in FL would do sort of a sting operation where they attempt to deliver the Registered package and catch the scum bucket in the act. I know this would take coordination from multiple G'ment departments on short notice, but it may be worth a try. In reality, it probably isn't a top priority at all for them to try to catch someone like this for fraud.


    image
  • bestdaybestday Posts: 4,271 ✭✭✭✭
    Is calling bank to verify account and balance still allowed ?
    Something doesn't add up .. if account bogus, then check would have bounced .and returned to depositor
  • TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: bestday
    Is calling bank to verify account and balance still allowed ?
    Something doesn't add up .. if account bogus, then check would have bounced .and returned to depositor


    It did bounce, but too late.
    Frank

    BHNC #203

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 31,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
    thanks, ill pass that along to some dealers i know down that way
  • TigersFan2TigersFan2 Posts: 1,442 ✭✭
    I love the 3 P's: PB&J, PBR and PCGS.
  • epcjimi1epcjimi1 Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭




    It did bounce, but too late.





    Boingo, Boingo.



    So much for paper / check transactions.



    It just gets worse.



    Sorry for your loss.

  • derrybderryb Posts: 38,549 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: keyman64
    Please do update us as to the outcome with the Post Office. I
    want to hear if they actually follow through, intercept the
    package and send it back to you. I am guessing their
    interest in helping you will be if there is a police report and if this
    falls into the realm of mail fraud of sorts...or using the mail system
    to commit fraud? Thanks!


    USPS Mail Intercept

    Velocity, Not Valuation Defines A Bubble.

  • BarberFanaticBarberFanatic Posts: 671 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: guitarwes

    I wish the Post Office in FL would do sort of a sting operation where they attempt to deliver the Registered package and catch the scum bucket in the act. I know this would take coordination from multiple G'ment departments on short notice, but it may be worth a try. In reality, it probably isn't a top priority at all for them to try to catch someone like this for fraud.






    image
    My current coin collecting interests are: (1) British coins 1838-1970 in XF-AU-UNC, (2) silver type coins in XF-AU with that classic medium gray coloration and exceptional eye appeal.
  • You can catch some serious years for check fraud. A guy here in Wisconsin got 3 years for 500.00 in bad checks because he hit more than one location and each check was a separate crime. He also got 10 years probation because of consecutive sentencing. It might be worth catching the guy.
  • nencoinnencoin Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭✭
    I tried posting an update but it's almost unreadable because I can't figure out how to create paragraphs. Can someone please help me?



    NM. I guess I figured it out.
  • nencoinnencoin Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭✭
    Shipment Activity Location Date & Time

    ________________________________________

    Out for Delivery WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881 October 23, 2015 9:30 am

    Sorting Complete WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881 October 23, 2015 8:52 am

    Arrived at Unit WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881 October 23, 2015 6:18 am

    Arrived at USPS Facility TAMPA, FL 33630 October 22, 2015 3:38 pm

    Arrived at USPS Facility BOSTON, MA 02110 October 21, 2015 2:45 am

    Arrived at USPS Facility BOSTON, MA 02205 October 21, 2015 12:42 am

    Departed USPS Facility SHREWSBURY, MA 01546 October 16, 2015 9:21 pm

    Arrived at USPS Origin Facility SHREWSBURY, MA 01546 October 16, 2015 8:58 pm

    Departed Post Office CONCORD, MA 01742 October 16, 2015 5:03 pm

    Acceptance CONCORD, MA 01742 October 16, 2015 4:08 pm

  • nencoinnencoin Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭✭
    So, after receiving the updated info above, I figured we were screwed. I (understandably) assumed that despite the communication between the Concord and Winter Haven post offices about the situation, someone still dropped the ball and let the package go.



    As soon as our shipping manager came in today, she contacted the Winter Haven post office and GOOD NEWS - the postmaster literally had the package in his hand. He read off the return address to us and said he was sending it back today.



    BAD NEWS - this guy still got away with mail and bank fraud. The USPS folks did the right thing by helping us retrieve the package. But they do not seem to be interested at all in pursuing this any further than that.
  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,308 ✭✭✭
    Reading that shipment activity schedule in that previous post made my stomach turn. Then I read your next post. GREAT NEWS!



    Again, too bad the authorities don't want to mess with trying to catch this scumbucket. Too piddly a crime I guess.

    @ Elite CNC Routing & Woodworks on Facebook. Check out my work.
    Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
  • nencoinnencoin Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭✭
    This is more like it!!!







    Shipment Activity Location Date & Time

    ________________________________________

    Return to Sender WINTER HAVEN, FL 33884 October 23, 2015 5:03 pm

    Out for Delivery WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881 October 23, 2015 9:30 am

    Sorting Complete WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881 October 23, 2015 8:52 am

    Arrived at Unit WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881 October 23, 2015 6:18 am

    Arrived at USPS Facility TAMPA, FL 33630 October 22, 2015 3:38 pm

    Arrived at USPS Facility BOSTON, MA 02110 October 21, 2015 2:45 am

    Arrived at USPS Facility BOSTON, MA 02205 October 21, 2015 12:42 am

    Departed USPS Facility SHREWSBURY, MA 01546 October 16, 2015 9:21 pm

    Arrived at USPS Origin Facility SHREWSBURY, MA 01546 October 16, 2015 8:58 pm

    Departed Post Office CONCORD, MA 01742 October 16, 2015 5:03 pm

    Acceptance CONCORD, MA 01742 October 16, 2015 4:08 pm

  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,649 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Congrats! Too bad you lost money on postage though.

    Could have easily been much worse!
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner. :smile:
  • TigersFan2TigersFan2 Posts: 1,442 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: nencoin
    This is more like it!!!



    Shipment Activity Location Date & Time
    ________________________________________
    Return to Sender WINTER HAVEN, FL 33884 October 23, 2015 5:03 pm
    Out for Delivery WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881 October 23, 2015 9:30 am
    Sorting Complete WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881 October 23, 2015 8:52 am
    Arrived at Unit WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881 October 23, 2015 6:18 am
    Arrived at USPS Facility TAMPA, FL 33630 October 22, 2015 3:38 pm
    Arrived at USPS Facility BOSTON, MA 02110 October 21, 2015 2:45 am
    Arrived at USPS Facility BOSTON, MA 02205 October 21, 2015 12:42 am
    Departed USPS Facility SHREWSBURY, MA 01546 October 16, 2015 9:21 pm
    Arrived at USPS Origin Facility SHREWSBURY, MA 01546 October 16, 2015 8:58 pm
    Departed Post Office CONCORD, MA 01742 October 16, 2015 5:03 pm
    Acceptance CONCORD, MA 01742 October 16, 2015 4:08 pm


    Just curious, did the scammer have the tracking number? I'm wondering if he woke up this morning believing it was going to be delivered only later to see that it was being returned to sender. Or did you previously tell the scammer that you were having the package returned?
    I love the 3 P's: PB&J, PBR and PCGS.
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: nencoin
    So, after receiving the updated info above, I figured we were screwed. I (understandably) assumed that despite the communication between the Concord and Winter Haven post offices about the situation, someone still dropped the ball and let the package go.

    As soon as our shipping manager came in today, she contacted the Winter Haven post office and GOOD NEWS - the postmaster literally had the package in his hand. He read off the return address to us and said he was sending it back today.

    BAD NEWS - this guy still got away with mail and bank fraud. The USPS folks did the right thing by helping us retrieve the package. But they do not seem to be interested at all in pursuing this any further than that.


    The Feds don't get invovled unless there are multiple victims and the amount exceeds $25,000. There is enough of that to keep them busy.
  • nencoinnencoin Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭✭
    Just curious, did the scammer have the tracking number? I'm wondering if he woke up this morning believing it was going to be delivered only later to see that it was being returned to sender. Or did you previously tell the scammer that you were having the package returned?




    Yes, the scammer did have the tracking number. I hope he waited home all day for that package. Loser.



  • ScarsdaleCoinScarsdaleCoin Posts: 5,434 ✭✭✭✭✭
    wow, amazing this guy is posting on facebook... are you sure it was not a case of something happening with the bank and that he's really a bad guy? have you tried contacting him for explaination?
    Jon Lerner - Scarsdale Coin - www.CoinHelp.com
  • nencoinnencoin Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭✭
    As soon as the check was returned we tried contacting him. He of course did not get back to us. It's unfortunate that he able to burn at least one dealer. There's only one I know of, but who knows how many people he's done this to.



    As for posting on Facebook, that might not be the same guy. I think it would be impossible to determine for sure unless he were to crazily post his exact address or mention something coin related.

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