Any tips on identifying counterfeit Western Union Money Orders?<<<UPDATE>>>It was

greghansen · February 13, 2008 12:45AM

I received 3 Western Union Money orders totaling $1,080 for a gold coin. The buyer wants me to send the coin via overnight mail, which I have no problem doing once I verify the funds are good. The problem is, I've been to my bank...they won't cash them, I've been to two difference Western Union locations and they won't cash money orders....they only sell them. I've found a check cashing place that may cash them (they need to look at them first) and they will charge me 5% to cash them. So those of you who have dealt with western union money orders before....are they generally O.K., should I be concerned, or should I just swallow the 5% and cash them at the check cashing place. Thanks for any comments from those with experience with Western Union.

P.S. I had no idea it was such a pain in the arse to cash a Western Union Money Order! What good are they if nobody will cash them???

ahooka454 · February 13, 2008 12:46AM

My bank cashes them. So should Western Union. I would send them back. To many other buyers with a safe way to pay you.

blu62vette · February 13, 2008 12:50AM

I would think you could call them to verify..... or find a place that issues them to compare them. I think the Rite Aid by my house even issues them and could check on them also.

mrearlygold · February 13, 2008 12:51AM

Greg, try Publix. I cashed several there. Had one for around 1800 bucks, took it to the local Publix and they cashed it.

It's still time consuming but I can live with that part. Have to go to Publix anyway afterall

goldboy · February 13, 2008 12:52AM

<< My bank cashes them........ >>

Same here, I have deposited them in a bank account with no problem.

Coinhog · February 13, 2008 12:54AM

I just fill out a deposit slip, deposit them in my checking account and wait for them to clear. Deposit them through an ATM just like any other check. Don't send the coin until they clear.

greghansen · February 13, 2008 1:08AM

I tried one Publix and they wouldn't cash them. I'll try another.

I can deposit them, but if I mail the coin out today, which the buyer has requested (and he enclosed extra payment for overnight delivery), the coin will be long gone before I know whether the things are good or bad.

I think I will just try the second publix and if they won't cash it, I'll take it to the check cashing place and swallow the 5% so I can ship the coin out today per customers request. Thanks for the ideas/thoughts.

My antenna were up on this because the buyer has a feedback of zero, his first purchase is a $1,000 plus gold coin, and he is insisting on getting shipping via overnight fed ex. That's why I was trying to get my money out of the money orders before I shipped the coin.

cucurbit · February 13, 2008 1:19AM

I've called Western Union in the past to verify if a money order was real.

sinin1 · February 13, 2008 1:35AM

I would see if you could do it online

western union website - check status

adamlaneus · February 13, 2008 1:46AM

Corrected link to Western Union

For "https" addresses, you need to use the S tag and not the L tag.

As you know, do NOT respond to immediate-shipping-pressure until you have unrevocable cash in hand. Good luck with this deal, it's scary!

greghansen · February 13, 2008 1:54AM

I'm going to follow up with these suggestions...but my comfort level got even lower when I Googled the shipping address he wanted me to use for express shipping and did some research on the shipping address. It comes back to a motel. I'm going to call the motel to see if my buyer works there (I hope), but if not, and he is a guest...I think I'm done with this transaction. Thanks again for all the good suggestions.

I've called around to all the local Publix. None of them cash these in my area.

sinin1 · February 13, 2008 1:57AM

If he is a guest, maybe police shot get notified with suspicions

motel would not be happy with bad press either
unless they have been there for weeks, and get lots of packages

BECOKA · February 13, 2008 1:59AM

<< I just fill out a deposit slip, deposit them in my checking account and wait for them to clear. Deposit them through an ATM just like any other check. Don't send the coin until they clear. >>

That's what I do. Although these days it seems almost all payments are US Postal MO or Paypal. It's been a couple of years since I got a WUMO payment.

mrearlygold · February 13, 2008 2:02AM

<< I tried one Publix and they wouldn't cash them. I'll try another.

I can deposit them, but if I mail the coin out today, which the buyer has requested (and he enclosed extra payment for overnight delivery), the coin will be long gone before I know whether the things are good or bad.

I think I will just try the second publix and if they won't cash it, I'll take it to the check cashing place and swallow the 5% so I can ship the coin out today per customers request. Thanks for the ideas/thoughts.

My antenna were up on this because the buyer has a feedback of zero, his first purchase is a $1,000 plus gold coin, and he is insisting on getting shipping via overnight fed ex. That's why I was trying to get my money out of the money orders before I shipped the coin. >>

Mine came in from Australia! I called one Publix and they told me they don't cash them. I called the store manager at a closer Publix and he said "sure, bring it over" which I did and picked up a Pomergranate Juice while there as well

adamlaneus · February 13, 2008 2:03AM

I find it hard to believe that someone who works at a Motel would purchase a gold coin like this. The owner _maybe_. Unless there is a coin convention in town, it is unlikely that this guest is on the level. And, what collector goes to a coin convention, rents a room, and then tries to purchase in this manner?!?

Overnight those money orders back and be done with it. You will sleep better!

dorkbar · February 13, 2008 3:19AM

Everything about this reeks of scam. Three separate MOs, motel, gold, hurry hurry. The motel isn't in Nigeria, is it?

fc · February 13, 2008 3:24AM

simply not worth the bother. if the address truly goes to a motel i would
stop right there. contact the buyer, state your concerns, and cancel the deal.

contact ebay and make sure they will not allow you to get a neg from a possible
scam artist.

relicsncoins · February 13, 2008 3:33AM

This just has scam written all over it. At the very least, I would deposit them and wait for them to clear. No way would I ship that coin until there is 100% certainty they are legit. If they turn out not to be legit, I would ship a gold choclate coin with an attached note: "Here is your coin, it should match those fake money orders nicely, and by the way enjoy your new address at the county lockup."

JJ

CaptHenway · February 13, 2008 3:34AM

"DANGER WILL ROBINSON!
DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!!!"

slipgate · February 13, 2008 3:37AM

<< 

<< I just fill out a deposit slip, deposit them in my checking account and wait for them to clear. Deposit them through an ATM just like any other check. Don't send the coin until they clear. >>

That's what I do. Although these days it seems almost all payments are US Postal MO or Paypal. It's been a couple of years since I got a WUMO payment. >>

NOT A GOOD IDEA!!!! These can bounce months after they are paid and "clear", especially counterfeit postal MOs. I make it very simple, I ONLY accept paypal or personal checks.

droopyd · February 13, 2008 5:38AM

<< Everything about this reeks of scam. Three separate MOs, motel, gold, hurry hurry. The motel isn't in Nigeria, is it? >>

I've heard horror stories about phony WU payments (as well as bank certified checks) that were cashed and then reversed weeks later because they were determined to be fraudulent.

Beware, beware.

greghansen · February 14, 2008 6:11AM

Thank you for those who posted and urged caution. I was very close to just depositing these 3 Western Union money orders and sending the coin. So here is the rest of the story since I found out I couldn't cash these anywhere locally for cash.

I called the number listed for the buyer on the Fed Ex Express package. Answering machine. Left a message that I got the payment, was having problems cashing them, and that I needed to speak with him to see if he would authorize me depositing them and holding delivery until they cleared. No return call.

Did some research on the shipping delivery address. Came back to a motel along interstate 17 in Phoenix. Yesterday, I call and ask for the buyer by name. They put me through. Here's the converstaion:

Other voice: (lady in room answers phone) Hello

Me: Hello, this is Greg Hansen from Melbourne, Florida, I'm calling to speak with James Meyer please.

Other voice: Well that's not his real name but he's right here. He can't talk to you. He's on another phone.

Me: It's kind of important. I have a pending business transaction with him, he sent me some money for a coin, I am having problems with the payment and I need to speak with him about it.

(I hear her say in the background to someone, 'you need to speak with him, but hurry up'.)

Male Voice: Hello

Me: Hello, this is Greg Hansen from Melbourne, Florida, I'm trying to reach James Meyer. Is this James?

Male voice: This is James, Sr.

Me: Are you the James Meyer I have a pending EBAY transaction with?

Male voice: Uh, no, that must be Jr.

Me: May I speak with Jr. please?

Male voice: He's not here right now. I don't know when he will be back.

Me: Well it's kind of important that I catch up with him today. He's expecting me to send a coin via overnight Federal Express to him this afternoon, and I'm not going to be able to do that because of some problem's I'm having with the money orders.

Male voice: Oh, he sent you some money? You had me worried there for a moment.

Me: No, I have some Western Union money orders from him that I can't get cashed, and I need to see if he will authorize me to deposit them in my account and agree to wait on shipment for the coin. So please have him call me ASAP. ( I leave my 24 hour cell phone number)

Male voice: No problem. Will do. Bye.

So it's been over 24 hours still no return phone call. Last night I also sent buyer a message through the EBAY message system repeating basically the same thing. When I got no reponse to my EBAY message, the voice message and the personal message to the male voice, I did it all over again today about an hour ago. Except this time, when I call the motel and ask to speak with James Meyer, I get this:

Hotel Operator: Hello

Me: Yes, This is Greg Hansen, I'd like to speak with James Meyer please.

Hotel Operator: (without any delay) We don't have a James Meyer here.

Me: Could you check again please. I spoke with him yesterday. He's in room 181 and its important I speak with him.

Hotel Operator: Mr. Meyer is not here anymore. He's not staying here anymore.

Me: Well, I have a pending business deal with him and need to contact him, do you have any information on his whereabouts?

Hotel Operator: I can't give out that kind of information.

Me: I have something I need to return to him and this address is the only address I have. Is there someone I can contact to reach him. Should I try to call the police?

Hotel Operator: That would be a very good idea. Calling the police would be a good idea, they should be able to help you.

The police aren't helping me much. Just say he is in custody and was using the room to run some kind of sting. If I want to file a complaint, I need to contact Det. blah-blah-blah. I don't think they have sorted out who are the good guys and the bad guys yet and didn't want to say much to me thinking I might be part of the scam. Hell, I'm just happy I didn't mail the darn coin. Back when I had full confidence in the honesty of all my fellow mankind...I would have gotten stuck on that deal! As I think I mentioned, buyer was a zero feedback buyer, this was his first purchase, he bought another $1000.00 coin the same day he bought mine (don't know if that seller got nailed or not) and he urgently wanted to recieve the coin via overnight Federal Express. The red flags and good thoughts I got here, helped thwart that theft. Cheers!

rgCoinGuy · February 14, 2008 6:19AM

Wow what a story! At least your instincts helped you out on this one. I would contact ebay and see what they say now.

NumisOxide · February 14, 2008 6:23AM

<< Thank you for those who posted and urged caution. I was very close to just depositing these 3 Western Union money orders and sending the coin. So here is the rest of the story since I found out I couldn't cash these anywhere locally for cash.

I called the number listed for the buyer on the Fed Ex Express package. Answering machine. Left a message that I got the payment, was having problems cashing them, and that I needed to speak with him to see if he would authorize me depositing them and holding delivery until they cleared. No return call.

Did some research on the shipping delivery address. Came back to a motel along interstate 17 in Phoenix. Yesterday, I call and ask for the buyer by name. They put me through. Here's the converstaion:

Other voice: (lady in room answers phone) Hello

Me: Hello, this is Greg Hansen from Melbourne, Florida, I'm calling to speak with James Meyer please.

Other voice: Well that's not his real name but he's right here. He can't talk to you. He's on another phone.

Me: It's kind of important. I have a pending business transaction with him, he sent me some money for a coin, I am having problems with the payment and I need to speak with him about it.

(I hear her say in the background to someone, 'you need to speak with him, but hurry up'.)

Male Voice: Hello

Me: Hello, this is Greg Hansen from Melbourne, Florida, I'm trying to reach James Meyer. Is this James?

Male voice: This is James, Sr.

Me: Are you the James Meyer I have a pending EBAY transaction with?

Male voice: Uh, no, that must be Jr.

Me: May I speak with Jr. please?

Male voice: He's not here right now. I don't know when he will be back.

Me: Well it's kind of important that I catch up with him today. He's expecting me to send a coin via overnight Federal Express to him this afternoon, and I'm not going to be able to do that because of some problem's I'm having with the money orders.

Male voice: Oh, he sent you some money? You had me worried there for a moment.

Me: No, I have some Western Union money orders from him that I can't get cashed, and I need to see if he will authorize me to deposit them in my account and agree to wait on shipment for the coin. So please have him call me ASAP. ( I leave my 24 hour cell phone number)

Male voice: No problem. Will do. Bye.

So it's been over 24 hours still no return phone call. Last night I also sent buyer a message through the EBAY message system repeating basically the same thing. When I got no reponse to my EBAY message, the voice message and the personal message to the male voice, I did it all over again today about an hour ago. Except this time, when I call the motel and ask to speak with James Meyer, I get this:

Hotel Operator: Hello

Me: Yes, This is Greg Hansen, I'd like to speak with James Meyer please.

Hotel Operator: (without any delay) We don't have a James Meyer here.

Me: Could you check again please. I spoke with him yesterday. He's in room 181 and its important I speak with him.

Hotel Operator: Mr. Meyer is not here anymore. He's not staying here anymore.

Me: Well, I have a pending business deal with him and need to contact him, do you have any information on his whereabouts?

Hotel Operator: I can't give out that kind of information.

Me: I have something I need to return to him and this address is the only address I have. Is there someone I can contact to reach him. Should I try to call the police?

Hotel Operator: That would be a very good idea. Calling the police would be a good idea, they should be able to help you.

The police aren't helping me much. Just say he is in custody and was using the room to run some kind of sting. If I want to file a complaint, I need to contact Det. blah-blah-blah. I don't think they have sorted out who are the good guys and the bad guys yet and didn't want to say much to me thinking I might be part of the scam. Hell, I'm just happy I didn't mail the darn coin. Back when I had full confidence in the honesty of all my fellow mankind...I would have gotten stuck on that deal! As I think I mentioned, buyer was a zero feedback buyer, this was his first purchase, he bought another $1000.00 coin the same day he bought mine (don't know if that seller got nailed or not) and he urgently wanted to recieve the coin via overnight Federal Express. The red flags and good thoughts I got here, helped thwart that theft. Cheers! >>

Great detective work Greg!

Longacre · February 14, 2008 9:54AM

Great work!! Glad it worked out and you didn't get burned.

ahooka454 · February 14, 2008 10:21AM

Nice save there! All to often we hear of these fing scumbags getting over on good people. Im really happy this worked out for you and you didnt get screwed.

coinman420 · February 14, 2008 10:28AM

<< 

<< My bank cashes them........ >>

Same here, I have deposited them in a bank account with no problem. >>

same here, my bank takes them. time to find a new bank???

sinin1 · February 22, 2008 11:20AM

could you give some follow-up

or let us know the bidder id?

I am curious how much they got

LeeG · February 22, 2008 11:46AM

I'm very happy you stuck by your intuition.

mrearlygold · February 23, 2008 12:35AM

Few hours of time, figure this only cost you a couple grand + ?

Oh the "fun" of ebay.

Glad to hear you didn't get ripped off

BBN · February 23, 2008 2:56AM

<< could you give some follow-up

or let us know the bidder id?

I am curious how much they got >>

same here. I wanna know so I can block him.

DoubleGoldEagles1 · February 23, 2008 4:47AM

That sounds so fishy; I would file a police report with your local department just so you have it on record what transpired. Document everything. You never know what kind of loser you are dealing with here...

WillieBoyd2 · February 23, 2008 5:07AM

The fake check or fake money order scam has been around for a long time.

Usually the scammer will send a "check" for more than the amount and will
want the mark (victim) to refund the money via Western Union or some other
untraceable method.

Here is a website with more details on this scam:
http://www.fakechecks.org

Any tips on identifying counterfeit Western Union Money Orders?<<<UPDATE>>>It was

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Any tips on identifying counterfeit Western Union Money Orders?&lt;&lt;&lt;UPDATE&gt;&gt;&gt;It was

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Any tips on identifying counterfeit Western Union Money Orders?<<<UPDATE>>>It was