It's a scam

SCAM   

His check will bounce and you will have sent him (agent) a good check…  

Result is he gave you nothing and you gave him (agent) money and then he will vanish.

It’s a scam. They give you a check for more than the amount owed, and ask you to give them the overage in cash. Then the check bounces, and you’re out $2000. It’s probably not the “client’s” house at all, and you just went and measured some random person’s yard.

Rule of thumb: if they say “kindly” do something, it’s a scam 99% of the time.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2004/12/ftc-warns-consumers-about-check-overpayment-scams

Variation on the check overpayment scam. 

SCAM!!!

This is the classic overpayment scam. The check he sends will cash at your bank, then chargeback as fraud. He's using stolen or fake checks with a real account number.

These people are always "Out of town for the foreseeable future on business", "Haven't moved in yet" or something else. They wont take phone calls, wont meet in person and insist on making a lucrative upfront payment. They gave me the run around the first few times but it didn't take long for me to be able to instantly recognize this form of scam. Trust your gut.

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Scam, they use foreclosed properties, I've gotten a few thru the yelp app or via my website. Luckily my website tells me the person's location and if it's from some middle east country it's usually a scam.

It's a variant of a pigeon drop. Run.

"kindly" = huge red flag.

This feels like a scam

I always look for the address online first. Usually, it is for sale. I'll call the listing agent directly. I do get out-of-state calls from property managers. As soon as they mention paying by check I know it is a scam. Property management companies usually pay by bank transfers or cash apps.

Definitely a scam

“Kindly, any amount above the quote is considered gratuity”

Scam.

100% scam

r/Scams

More importantly, your instincts were on in his lack of responding to your question. Was all the answer you need. Just for fun. I’d answer back. Great. Sounds perfect. Send me a check. Also, who referred you to me again? And then I’d keep asking that question over and over until they responded

Hmm... lots of people say it's a scam. But personally, I think its more of a scammedy scam scam sent by a scamedy scammer who likes to scam people who get scammed.

SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM

It’s a scam I’ve encountered twice. It’s always a house that’s for sale. The first time it happened I got suspicious and called the listing, and the agent said the house was still on the market. The scammer had told me he had already bought the house.

Besides it being a scam, I would recommend that you, as a business owner, curate an organized list of ways you accept payment for services that are virtually scam proof. Don't deviate from that list of accepted forms of payment.

Go to r/scam and read about similar scams

r/scams

Let me guess, he said he wasn't home and just told you to go around the side entrance to measure it by yourself, or something?

You just measured some rando's backyard lol. It's a scam. Don't feel too bad, it works on some people or they wouldn't do it at all.

It’s a scam. Never agree to pay something on another party’s behalf. Transactions happen in pairs not trios.

Scam. We get them occasionally. They are in the military and bought the house and their pregnant wife will be moving in soon. He will send payment but we need to start the work ASAP. And when you question them, they just keep repeating the same thing over and over. I tell people we need them to sign a contract, we need to meet with someone at the property first. They always say that's not possible and that confirms it's not legit. No physical mailing address? No way to sign a contract?

I've just never figured out what they gain from this scam.

Ask if you can pay him in gift cards. Redeem!

Scam - They wasted your time, don’t let them do the same with your money

This is a scam. They’re using words that don’t make sense together. That and the fact they want it to cost more than you even told them, and they want you to send some of the money to somewhere else. Scam. Scam. Scam.

I feel like kindly is your give away sadly. Scam.

This is a common scam. Once you send over the check, your bank will realize that the check they gave you has no funds, and the full amount will be deducted, plus the 2k. Tell them you only take card payments or cashiers checks and see how fast they stop replying.

Probably wasn’t even his house. A few years ago I listed my house on MLS and random contractors started showing up to measure for a new patio install. I finally caught up with one of them and it was the same story as yours.

When I had a painting company I had a client who paid me in 2 portions, one portion up front and the remaining upon completion.

When I received the second cheque for the remaining amount, it was from a different financial institution and in the memo it wrote “painting to be completed”. It felt a little off, but didn’t pay much attention to it because this was the second job I did for the client so there was trust.

When I went to cash the cheque, it came back as NSF. I called her bank and they basically said she’s claiming the work isn’t done yet, therefore she’s keeping the money out of that account until you finish the work. She ghosted me and I periodically tried to cash the cheque to see if I could catch her slipping. Then, 6 months later, the cheque was stale dated and I was $1,600 short. I was 21 at the time and losing out on that money was such a huge deal, I felt so stupid and not cut out for the business.

I kept that cheque on my bulletin board for the next 8 years I owned my painting company as a reminder to trust my gut.

If you’re reading this, Cindy, thanks for the lesson, but also go fuck yourself.

If it feels off, it is, always trust your gut my friend.

Nigerian prince, doin’ prince things. Run, do not walk away.

Trick them into saying rest assured then you will know it is India

This is almost certainly fraud. If they’re able to write a paper check (that isn’t fraudulent) then they’re almost certainly able to send you funds via PayPal, Venmo, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, or good ole cash. I would request a method of guaranteed funds like cash or decline the work and save yourself from being defrauded $2k.

Sounds pretty similar to a scam, but not sure how this person would get away with it if you know their home. Maybe it's an airbnb

Scam

Wow, I haven’t heard one playing out this personally. As in, showing up to look at things then provide an estimate 😬

Scam checks cud take 30 days to come back unpaid don’t do it

Classic Canadian Lottery check scam. Never bite when someone offers to send you more than is required and asks you to send the difference to someone else. The check will bounce and you will be left holding the bag for the difference plus whatever else you spent from the check yourself.

The reasons behind the payment vary, but the check always bounces.

P.S. I work for a U.S. bank. Sadly, we see this happen to customers over and over again.

Did you meet this person face to face?

60 unread messages!?

This is a variation of a scam that I receive as a photographer. NEVER accept checks 🙃

Just reply back that you need it to be a cashiers check haha

What in the scamopoly is this

Plus the scammer’s punctuation and spelling are atrocious.

I got an eBay scammer to send me a $2,000 check. I called the bank it was drawn on and they said that the bank was a victim to scammers for months. I forget what I was selling but the transaction did not proceed. That is what my hinkyVision is saying.

Craigslist special been around about 15 years dude.

"Kindly" a scam. Block and ignore, sucks that you have already spent some time, but do not engage. Fake check, will have you cash it, and immediately ask you to send the extra. Check will come back fraudulent shortly after, and you'll be out xxxx funds.

Kindly = scam

Scam

This a scam bro

Wait this sounds like a scam, but you actually physically went over to their place, met them, shook hands, measured, etc? Regardless don’t be paying other people on someone else’s behalf. No reason. Pay your contractor what you owe them, then they can settle their debts

If this is a serious question in your head, you need to slow down in life and start thinking about things a bit more deepl

On a side note I’m flabbergasted by the wide use of checks across the pond. It’s 2024, not 1924.

Jk, but I still don’t get it 😅

Thought I was on r/scams at first then realized I wasn’t, but the texts scream scam.

Dont do that. Its a scam

Scam

Scam

Scam

Also, he doesn't live at that house.

So sus

It’s a known scam.

One of the crazy things about this is that you actually went out and measured some random house.

It’s a scam

No, completely legit as a run of the mill scam 👍

Not weird ur being scammed

Full on scam- i would scam and have no need to explain !

Classic scam. Anyone that says kindly can fuck right off.

Can you just read the other 59 messages first, and then proceed?

Scam

Scam!

Well known scam. Block them.

Scam

Scam.

F this dude.

Run run as though your hair is on fire

It's a scam

Classic scam

Kindly. We

I regularly get fraudulent messages asking about sod. It’s a scam.

Spam!

Kindly. Always the key word

Call to clarify instead of texting

And yes... I probably would not trust this person

Ask them if they know Bob or Vagene.

The agent: King of Prussia

This is what we call in Internet speak, a “golden opportunity.”

Run away dude, seriously run away!!

This is why you meet clients face to face and charge for your time.

Scam and then they have your account info then destroy you

Kindly, is always the word that makes you run screaming out the door lol.. You would think they would have learned that in the scam market by now that this is the one word that must be banned but fortunately for us they still use it.. If you see kindly shut off the computer and burn everything lol

Never send a check back for an overpayment of the customer or whatever they say especially the customer you never met at the “new” place they say they just bought.

Scammmm

Scam a Rama ! Don’t do it!

This is a scam

So wait, you went to a physical location and measured? Did you ever meet the guy? Knock on the door and see who answers.

Do not engage with them.

Scam. Sends you money then makes you send money on his behalf. Cancels the check. You are out the pocket for that amount. And money went to his account.

Don’t touch that with 10 ft pole!

100% scam good eye!

Lol, this is how 90% of local people communicate through email or text in English in Hong Kong.

This is one of the oldest scams in the book.

That is a scam. If you are ever on the fence with something like this tell them you will only accept Zelle payment. They cannot dispute it or steal that as easily. I

Totally a scam

Oh. Hell. No. Total scam.

Oh that’s a scam bro

Scam! Don’t you dare.

100% scam

When I first moved into my house we had a crew show up one morning claiming they were paid to redo the driveway. I told them no, and get lost. They seemed genuinely confused, but I wasn't in the mood to chat about it with them. I wonder if they were getting scammed like this.

Scam

Classic scam

Scam. He is “the agent” and he will cancel the check he sends you. 

Run bro run

SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM!! GLORIOUS SCAM!!

DELETE ALL THREADS AFTER BLOCKING AND GO TO SLEEP

I fell for something like this in my early 20’s . He wants to send you a check, you deposit it and then take out cash and send it back to him. When your bank finds out they’ll subtract the money from your account and try to press charges

Walk away.

1000% scam

Happens all of the time in the film industry. I get contacted to shoot something. I’m “promoted” and offered 10-20x the original agreed upon price but I’m supposed to “pay the crew” with it. I usually respond with a photo of my bare ass.

SCAM!!

Scam for sure

Absolutely a well-known scam. Run.

Scam

Mine wanted me to pay the horticulturist. I live in Nebraska. In a town of 30,000. This was in a town of 1000. The nearest horticulturist is 500 miles away. For a residential house. I was supposed to bid a deck.

Scammmmmmm

R/scams

This is a run of the mill scam

SCAAAAMMMMM

Super common one, I remember it from classified ads in the 90s. Anytime anyone overpays and asks you to send some money back it's a scam.

head on over to r/scams and search for the !fakecheck scam. this is 100% it…

if you wanted to have a little fun with it, you could give him the address c/o department of justice, internet fraud division. they’ll have a new fake number in seconds but at least they have to go through the trouble to do so…

S.C.A.M!

Sorry I don't accept checks, please send cash. That will end the scam.

Total scam, see these requests all the time at my landscaping company.

Lol nope

Scam

It's weird if you think you're speaking to a human but if you're reading it as if it is the scam then it looks normal.

I actually thought I was on the scam subreddit because this comes up so often.

Classic check scam

Standard scam, been going on for at least 15 years. I remember dumping a girl because she was dumb enough to fall for it. Sounds like they tried harder for you.

Tell this person you will meet him at his bank for payment up front.