Scammer?

[Leeana]

Hi

I have two horses listed for sale and a few days ago a lady called me from Califorinia and before she even asked any questions she said she was going to western union me the money. She didnt ask any questions about the horses. I said i could accept western union no problem and asked her where she was located and then she told me a bit about herself and her daughter and her horses and i told her about the two horses she is interested in.

Well, then just now she called agian and told me she is going to western union the money today at 3:00 and will call me when she sends it. She said if i tried calling and the phone went straight to her voicemail that it as because she was in a brick building. She sounds like she knows allot about horses but im getting the oddest feeling for some reason. I just find it odd that she didnt have any questions upfront and *I* practically had to force all the information to her over the phone.

She is sending half down now and then half three weeks before shipping.

Does this sound fishy to you?? Her email is [email protected].

Since she called im guessing she is "for real" ?

Thank you, Please make me feel better about this LOL. I just want to make sure its not a scammer. She sounds like the perfect home for these two but its just the little details that are kind of worrying me and making me think scammer.

 

[Debd]

I would be cautious since she didn't ask any questions about the horses. See what she comes up with next, espcially when shipping is discussed. Good luck

 

[Leeana]

She said she will find shipping as soon as possible as she wants them for her daughters birthday and she is really excited about them. I told her i woud send her some contact for shippers along with sales contract for the two horses and she said shipping cost doesnt matter, she just wants them home safely.

She did ask a few questions, but most of the information i had to tell her most everything. Then agian i did cover about everything in the ad.

Im just being cautious.

Thanks,

Leeana

 

[Hosscrazy]

Here's my question: would YOU Western Union money to someone you didn't know, for a horse you knew nothing about? Probably not...

Liz R.

 

[Carolyn R]

While I would be cautious, It is usually when people ask you to send them money via Western Union that it is a scam.

If the money is there for you, pick it up and set it aside until the transaction is complete.

Maybe she's had a bad experience or two and wants to make sure she gets a deposit to you before someone else does.

While I have not sent money via Western Union to people I don't know, I have sent deposits for horses (based on a series of questions and photos of the horses) to people I don't know, other than seeing them on the forum/breeders connect/salesboard.

 

[muffntuf]

Ditto HOsscrazy, but western union is different than a money order or certified check. unusual. She gave you all the usual information - address, etc.?

did you reverse her email address and see what comes up for it? did she have any kind of foreign accent?

 

[Leeana]

I think the email address stands for "new yorker" but spelled funky. When she gave me the address and it was all letters and funky that kind of sent off another warning signal to me.

No accent, she was very kind and told me allot of herself and intentions.

She didnt give me her address, just said she was in california.

 

[Riverdance]

If she is sending you money and not getting the horses for a while (you would not ship the horses out till totally paid for) I would take the Western Union, deposit it and make sure it cleared before I sent the horses anywhere.

Usually a scam is sending you more money than the cost of the horses, then asks you to pay the shipper with the money they have sent you. Then once you do that, you find that the money they sent you is no good, but you have already sent money of your own out to the "shipper".

I would be uncomfortable selling any horse to someone who has not talked to me for a bit and given me more information as to where and how the horses are going to live. It is very unusuall for someone to call you and say they are going to buy the horses with no questions asked.

 

[RockRiverTiff]

It does sound unusual, but as she is within the United States and sending a deposit three weeks in advance, it doesn't seem like a typical scam. Do you screen your buyers? If she's purchased horses in the past, I would think she could provide you with some references, in addition to the usual vet/farrier information.

 

[muffntuf]

I agree riverdance, this has too many warning signs now, no address, and other pertinent information.

weird.

 

[Leeana]

RockRiverTiff Posted Today, 03:31 PM It does sound unusual, but as she is within the United States and sending a deposit three weeks in advance, it doesn't seem like a typical scam. Do you screen your buyers? If she's purchased horses in the past, I would think she could provide you with some references, in addition to the usual vet/farrier information.

I will ask her for a few references, she said she boards with a mini trainer so maybe i can get their name and contact. For the most part, i have purchased and sold to people i know and most have actually been forum members. I agree, so many warning signs. At this point i do not think its a scammer, i will try to get contact for where she boards.

Thanks,

Leeana

 

[BLACKWATER FARMS]

I'd find out where in California she is, and see if there is any one --friend, maybe a fellow listmember that can check out her situation

Just a thought

Linda

 

[Katiean]

If she is wiring you the money, you pick it up in cash. I don't see a problem. What I do see a problem with is that 1) she has not asked questions about the horses. 2) she has not told you about where they will be kept. 3) there are a lot of horses in CA for sale. Why would someone want to pay shipping across the country when they could get the same thing closer to home? I live in Nevada and only look at horses in CA, OR, NV and AZ. That way I can go get the horse myself. I would just wonder why she is looking for horses so far from home.

 

[Leeana]

She was very upfront about telling me about where she boards and the stall setup and how the farm is setup and her plans for the two horses and her daughters plans and so on. Like i said she was a very nice lady who knows her horses and her plans for them are perfect, its just the other things that instantly put me off.

She said her daughter seen the one on the internet and went crazy over how cute he was, then i recomended the other horse more as the youth prospect and she liked him just as much.

But, no, she did not as any direct questions about the horses, i went over everything with her on them though but she had no questions about them.

 

[MyLilShowGirl]

another thought-- do you have caller display? Was it a "private name, private number".

Maybe check if the phone number is from a CA area code.

Good luck!

 

[Hosscrazy]

Just playing devil's advocate here -- we sure do not have a shortage of miniature horses here in California! So I would wonder why she would be willing to pay the shippng charges. Again, just things to think about. Good luck!

Liz R.

 

[_minihorses4ever_]

I would say pass.. Especially because YOU are questioning the deal. If your gut is saying something is wrong, chances are, there is.

I would say no, and wait for someone else to come along.. Someone who you are 100% comfortable with.

 

[Adell Equine]

You have to be careful. I would hold any money from her for at least 30 business days. I know it seems like a long time but that is what I have been told it takes to be sure its not a fake.

There is lots of other options to send money that doesn't sound as fishy - direct deposit, pay pal, or money order. Or even cash with hauler.

 

[Mona]

Can someone fill me in on how money received as payment for something through Western Union can be fake? The people need to pay for it when they send it, and then you go there and collect your money from the Western Union near you. How can this be faked?

So Leeana...3:00 has come and gone...did she send payment? Inquiring minds want to know.